Monday, July 6, 2020

09.06.2020 COVID-19 Update, Standard Operating Procedures

July 06, 2020    

Dear Partners,

Greetings from Tanzania.

This communication is a continuation of a couple of travel advisories issued earlier by the Tanzania Minister of Health to guide everyone in containing the spread of COVID-19 in Tanzania. 

COVID-19 update, current situation in the destination

Dar es Salaam, with a population of more than five million people, was the most affected area in the country, but by June 1st there were only four (4) COVID-19 patients in hospital according to the Minister of Health. Dar es Salaam is Tanzania's main port and commercial city.

Zanzibar was also affected, same with border cities like Tanga, Arusha, Bukoba, Mwanza, Mbeya, and Kigoma but the cases were very few. Most parts of Tanzania, especially the countryside and protected areas like game parks are virtually coronavirus-free but people are cautioned to continue taking preventive measures against the spread of the virus.

On 18th May 2020 the Tanzania Ministry of Health issued a travel advisory which lifted or ended the 14-day mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving into Tanzania and opened the destination to international travel and tourism. Zanzibar followed suit on 6th June 2020. 
On 01st June 2020 an Ethiopian Airline flight landed with tourists at Kilimanjaro International Airport, the first since international airlines suspended flights into the destination. Accommodation facilities which had remained closed are now opening, and gradually we hope to start receiving visitors again. 
This is a major step forward as the country continues to experience reduced cases of COVID-19. In recognition of the importance of health, safety, and security of visitors and the general public, the Tanzania Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism has issued a set of instructions in the form of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), based on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and directives of the Tanzania Minister of Health. 
Tanzania Minister of Natural Resources & Tourism and the Deputy Minister of Health with our client infront of Leopard Tours Office at Kilimanjaro International Airport on June 1st 2020
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are designed to cover the entire guest's Tanzania itinerary from arrival at the airport, seaport and ground crossing to departure. These will include detailed instructions to guide all in the tourism business in Tanzania during this time of COVID-19 pandemic - from ports of entry / departure to the entry gates into game parks, accommodation facilities, ground and mountain climbing operators, events management, public areas and transport.

 Leopard Tours - Standard Operating Procedures

On Monday, June 1st, Leopard Tours received its first clients since the 14-day mandatory isolation was instituted on March 23rd for all travelers arriving from COVID-19 affected countries. In line with the general Standard Operating Procedures set by the authorities to assist us in operating tours, we have in place some protocols to guide us in our day to day operations. The safety and well being of our guests, staff and the public is, and will remain, our highest priority as we start receiving guests. 
  • There are more than 600 staff at Leopard Tours and none of us has been affected by the virus although we continue taking all the necessary precautions. 
    Social distancing in the office.
    • To keep social distancing, safari vehicles with 6-window seats will be redesigned to take only 4 people in the passenger cabin. Safari vehicles with 6-window seats will still be available for families wishing to travel together in one vehicle. 
    Six-seater Safari Vehicle converted to Four-seater
    • The driver-guide will be at hand to oversee guests observe the recommended physical distancing at park entry gates, museums, picnic sites, and while checking in at accommodation facilities. 
    • City transfer and safari vehicles will be regularly disinfected before picking up clients, especially the high-touch surfaces and seats.
    • Sanitisers (anti-microbial agents) will be provided in the vehicle for guests' use
    • The driver-guide will take necessary personal protection precautions at all times. Guests are encouraged to come with their own masks; packaged masks will be available at an extra cost. 
    • Health condition of driver-guides will be monitored for not less than a week before being assigned to take clients on safari, including measuring body oxygen level (recommended 95% and above) and body temperature not exceeding 37.5 degrees centigrade.
    • The safari vehicles will be fitted with Public Address (PA) System with 4 speakers in the passenger cabin, to maintain the recommended social distancing. With this facility, the driver-guide does not need to turn to talk to the guests in the passenger cabin. To start with, we will have 5 Signature and 20 Classic safari vehicles fitted with the PA system.
    • There will be three health centres dedicated to COVID-19 rapid response and support network; one centre will be in Arusha town (Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre), one in Karatu near Ngorongoro, and the third in central Serengeti at Seronera. Ambulances will be on standby.
    • For clients needing more medical attention, Leopard Tours will arrange evacuation by Flying Doctors. The Flying Doctors package covers evacuation to a hospital in Nairobi. Leopard Tours can also arrange evacuation to Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, a fine facility with high rate of recovery for COVID-19 patients. The evacuation to Dar es Salaam will involve some extra charges to be met by the patient. Clients are required to have medical insurance to cover hospitalisation expenses.   

    Stay safe.

    With kind regards