As the country is slowly making its way out of lockdown, the tourism industry is preparing to reopen. Going on vacation, hopping aboard a flight and staying at a hotel will look quite different in the future, however.
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa has proposed extensive guidelines for all businesses in the tourism industry preparing to reopen, which are currently being reviewed.
‘The protocols align with the WHO, NICD and DoH guidelines and advice, and will be revisited as required on an on-going basis. They cover customer information, PPE, physical distancing, and sanitisation and hygiene practices, among others, for staff and customers,’ the Council said in the guideline.
‘We are confident that these extensive protocols enable the travel, tourism and related industries to operate safely as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.’
The guideline includes a pledge that all CEO’s, general managers, or owners of businesses that open for operation during the COVID-19 will have to undersign.
The safety protocols address the following:
– Persons at higher risk
Persons above 65 years of age may be asked not travel to visit hotels, lodges and B&Bs, while persons between the ages of 60 and 65 years and persons with underlying health issues are recommended not to do travel either.
– Staff travelling on public transport
Increased staff members using public transport increase the risk of spreading the virus. Establishments will facilitate staff living-in on-site as far as possible.
– The risk of transmission as a result of travelling between provinces
Only people visiting accommodation establishments in private vehicles or car hire vehicles may cross provincial borders and to travel from home to and from an accommodation establishment, proof of booking must be carried.
– The ability to trace contacts in the event of a person testing positive
All operating businesses will obtain and keep guest/visitor/passenger/client details plus recent and planned travel information.
– Commitment to protocols
All owners, directors and/or managers of businesses, premises or transport services will sign a pledge to adhere to industry protocols.
– A designated COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer
Each operating business and/or premises will designate a COVID-19 Health and Safety Officer. In a small business this will be the owner or manager, while in medium businesses it will be an additional role taken on by a manager, and large businesses should consider appointing a dedicated officer.
Furthermore, All Guests/Visitors/Passengers/Clients (GVPCs) will be required to complete a Medical and Travel declaration. This will be on arrival/check-in/boarding/entering/ pick-up as appropriate. Temperature of all GVPCs will be taken on arrival/ boarding/pick-up/check-in etc. For multiple-day stays, daily temperature should be recorded (when arriving for breakfast or departing the hotel each day).
Staff will receive extensive training and all staff must receive protective gear.
View the full guideline here.
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