#LetUsGuideYou Safely

We are pleased to offer safe travel and health and hygiene standards as required by The World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels stamp.

Arrival/Departure

• We will no longer greet you with a warm handshake but in the traditional way with our right hand on the chest and a warm smile.
• Luggage assistance will be provided if you request and touchpoints will be sanitized.
• If we are meeting you at a point other than the airport our guides will ask you a series of COVID-19 screening questions. There may also be a requirement to have your temperature taken too.
• Our welcome briefings will highlight government regulations and include all precautionary actions that we will take during the tour which should also be followed by guests.
• You will be requested to download the Trace Ekee application. This application assists the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to find close contacts of positive cases more quickly.

Cleanliness

• We will follow the government recommendations regarding PPE.
• We will require face masks to be worn on any public transportation, busy streets, markets, or within congested areas.
• We will schedule hand sanitizing breaks during tours and will highlight all the places where handwashing and the safe disposal of masks can be made.

Local Suppliers

• We will request and expect all our local suppliers to follow HPA and government regulations.
• We will require our partners and suppliers to advise us in the event of any crew, staff, or related personal displaying any symptoms.
• We will continue to offer local dining experiences on tour. We will only select cafes or restaurants where good hygiene is maintained and social distancing can be practiced.

Accommodation

• We will be working closely with all of our guesthouse accommodation partners to ensure proper protocols and government guidelines are being followed.
• All our guesthouse partners will be invited to attend an awareness webinar following the publication of the Safe Tourism Guideline, held in conjunction with Shorthouse Hospitality International.
• We will complete our annual guesthouse audit inclusive of the new guidelines required before the arrival of our first guest to each property.
• We will continue to stay at smaller properties. This means that you will have less contact with other people and will assist in ensuring social distancing measures are easy to implement and follow.
• Wherever possible we will ensure you can dine in an open-air setting.

Transportation

• For the immediate future, we will avoid using public ferries.
• We will ensure that vehicles and speedboat operators are following government guidelines. Our minimum requirement will include driver/crew wearing face masks, hand sanitizer to be available, a fixed number of people to ensure social distancing, and regular cleaning and sanitation.
• You will be required to use hand sanitizer every time you board a vessel or vehicle.

Equipment

• We advise you to bring your own snorkel and mask. Not only will it ensure peace of mind from a health and safety perspective. It will also ensure the best fit for you and no leakage.
• Equipment will not be inter- changed during any tour.
• Snorkeling equipment, buoyancy aids, and life jackets will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized after each use.
• If you require personal assistance in the water, a rescue tube will be used to minimize contact unless absolutely necessary.

Guide Team

• Our guide team is fully vaccinated.
• Our guide team always carries first aid kits and hand sanitizer. To their backpacks, we will add face masks, gloves, and an infrared thermometer.
• Every member of the team will be trained on the HPA guidelines and procedures that cover identifying symptoms, the handling of guests who display symptoms, and the required reporting process.
• Our guide team will carry with them at all times, all necessary information and a list of contact numbers and medical facilities.
• Our team will practice safe distancing at all times.
• Any member of our team exposed to potential or confirmed cases will go into a 14-day home quarantine until the suspected case is cleared or they are medically cleared for work.

Community

• We will limit meetings with locals and unfortunately for the time being we will be unable to invite you into the homes of our local families. We will instead re-create the experience for you at your guesthouse or a local outdoor cafe.
• All other experiences will continue subject to Safe Tourism guideline requirements, ensuring safe practices are maintained.

Operational

• We have reduced the number of guests on our scheduled group tours. It is guaranteed that groups will be no more than 6 persons.
• Tour itineraries will be reviewed to ensure compliance with all the above and the requirements of the Safe Tourism guidelines when published.
• We are updating all our individual tour risk assessments and will finalize on publication of government guidelines.
• We are introducing an online payment option for all tours in order to limit contact points.
• We are reviewing the use of phone app audio systems to assist guests in being able to hear our guides clearly.
• We will take into account Safe Tourism Guidelines when published in relation to island hopping tours and visits to local islands.
• We will follow all local laws and regulations in relation to public health and safety.

How you can assist us

• We ask that you travel responsibly.
• Ensure that you have appropriate travel insurance.
• We request you to bring your own mask. You’ll be required to wear it on the airplane and potentially other settings based on local guidelines.
• We ask that if you are feeling under the weather you let us know as soon as possible.
• We ask you to wash your hands regularly, carry hand sanitizer, and observe social distancing.
• These actions will form part of our standard operating practice until further notice. They will be reviewed regularly and amended as necessary to ensure we follow all official recommendations.