The constant onslaught of positive tests and reported deaths due to Covid-19 has brought the normal life to a standstill. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has created widespread concerns in Nepal too. Especially tourism in Nepal is starting to suffer the most abrupt and widespread recession due to the outbreak of this virus.
COVID-19 disrupted the nature of the routinely organized life into a shell where avoiding people is the solution to the problem. The virus has more problems than the solutions for mankind. Almost after 3 months of WHO declaring, COVID-19 as a global pandemic, people are coming to terms that, there is life after virus too. Now we have to adopt a new normal and to live amidst this disease. Now that, it has come as a game-changer, safety and health have become the topmost priority of people. Therefore, if people have to travel amidst the current pandemic they will have to go through multiple processes to ensure they are safe to travel. Likewise, it goes the same for the place, people are traveling too.
With recent developments, lots of crowd generating places have introduced protocols to run its cooperation in the middle of the pandemic. Fortunately, in some places, we are hearing that, they have started to run schools, cinema halls, airports, malls, and off course traveling. With this in regard, the Nepal Tourism Board in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has introduced an operational guideline with health protocol for the tourism sector.
In consultation with various stakeholders in the tourism sector, this guideline was introduced. CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board led a group of experts as well as stakeholders and prepared these guidelines. To prepare these guidelines, they collaborated for more than three months. In these guidelines, they have introduced protocols for different sectors related to Hospitality and tourism businesses.
In these articles, we are highlighting, the protocols for tours and adventure activities as mentioned in the operational guideline.
The Directives issued by the Health and Population Ministry, High-Level COVID-19 committee, and NTB HHS Protocols to be strictly followed during activities.
These directives and protocols are for the operation of tours and adventure activities, keeping in mind the SAFETY of teams, travelers, and community.
NOTE: Due to the contact intensive nature of Aqua and Aerial (rafting, kayak, canyoning, bungee jumping, paragliding, and others) activities. It is recommended that these activities are offered only to:
Same group
People who are traveling together
Families
For the people in the administration of tours and Adventure activities.
All teams working in the conduction of tours and adventure activities should go through a training that includes:
Prevention of Infection, Breaking the Chain and Hygiene Protocols
Physical Distancing Protocols
Emergency Protocols
Dynamic Problem Solving
Updated First Aid training.
An up to date training record should be kept by all members of the team as proof of the training.
The activity leader should also be trained in passing on the salient points of the training to other members of the team during the course of the operation.
All activity leaders have to maintain a Daily Leader Log according in a pre-established format to record itinerary and points of contact to facilitate contact tracing should the need arise. This could include daily temperature checks and self-administered symptom form by the clients.
Daily briefings to include hygiene, physical distancing, and emergency protocols. Daily communication when possible with the office to report and get updates on the overall situation, so the itinerary can be followed and adapted according to the situation.
First Aid Kits with every Leader containing extra masks, disposable gloves soap, and/or sanitizers. Leaders should be mindful of communities where the tours and adventure activities are happening and minimize the chances of contamination.
Activity leaders should work alongside other leaders in a destination to ensure minimal risk of contamination, and maintain a high level of hygiene.
Protocols for Travelers
Travelers will have to bring their masks with them to use while traveling.
Travelers should inform the guide/leader of any symptoms of any sort of illness.
Travelers should have travel medical insurance that includes helicopter evacuation and the travel medical company would ensure that clients would be medevac (medical evacuation) out in case of any illness.
Travelers shall agree to follow the company’s health and safety protocol in case of any suspected case of virus transmission or illness within the group or the area.
Travelers shall be requested to carry their sanitizer with them in their packs at all times (they would bring their own on activity with them).
Protocols for touring activities
The people on the tour should maintain the distance on the tour with others and locals communities.
Initially, tours will adhere to lunch box system. And sooner or later, use bunch of restaurants certify for their cleanliness levels and adherence to the restaurants protocols.
The tour leader should guarantee the group comprehends he virus protocols of hygiene and physical distancing.
Tour leader should always have an up to date first aid kit and should be trained to know how it is used.
Timely, tour leader should contact the office to report the ground situations.
Tour Leader is trained regularly on the Emergency Protocol in the event that there is an episode (within the group or in the zone where the group is visiting).
Protocols for Trekking, Hiking, Mountaineering
All Trekkers and Mountaineers as with GT and Mountaineering gathering, FITs should trek with approved offices/authorized guides for guarantee security.
Mountaineering/GT/FITs should not make any changes to approved trekking itinerary.
Group size ought to be 2-15 individuals in particular.
The Tour Leader must report the health status of the individuals in all the health check posts that lie in the trekking trail, likewise have health checkup done. These reports are to be submitted routinely to the Agency for future contact following.
The group will obligatory Health check -up all the trekkers in Health check posts on the trekking route.
Gathering Health Check records including when report ought to be put together by Agency to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
A clearance letter confirming responsible disposal/ return of non-biodegradable garbage has to be obtained from the local government body or authorized entity in the trekking area.
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