Standard operating procedures to follow when visiting Uganda during COVID 19.

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The advent of COVID-19 inspired a number of measures and restrictions in different sectors so as to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Since countries attract a lot of people from different places and areas, the infection risk is high which warrants the adoption of different standard operating procedures in different places.  Because of such dynamics and parameters, a number of guidelines and changes were put in place and must be observed. Different stake holders in the tourism sector are mandate to observe particular guidelines as part of the COVID-19 mitigation strategy. Standard Operating Procedures Uganda at Entebbe airport and different places in the country include the following.

Standard operating procedures for accommodation facilities during COVID-19.

Safari lodges and camps are susceptible to the infections since they attract large numbers of people from different geographical areas who tend to carry out different interactions within themselves and the people they meet on their way. Therefore, significant attention and observation requires to be made so as to avoid the would-be negative side of things.  Some of the guidelines concentrate on the sanitation of the lodging facilities while others focus on the visitors and the employees who work in such places.

Such guidelines include the following.

The guidelines below will all be put in place by accommodation facilities and tourists will be expected to maintain and follow them.

Standard operating procedures that accommodation facilities must ensure during COVID-19.

1. Maintenance of social distance which includes avoiding hugging & shaking hands with visitors as well as among fellow employees. Social distance involves keeping a distance of at least 1m (3 ft.) and avoiding anyone who is either coughing or sneezing.
2. 2.Observation of hand hygiene which involves regular and thorough cleaning of hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with both soap and water. It is also recommended to avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Practicing respiratory etiquette which involves covering the mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue during coughing or sneezing. The tissue used should be disposed off immediately in a dumping container that has a lid.
4. Mopping indoor areas with a disinfectant such as such as 1% sodium hypochlorite or phenolic disinfectants. Such areas include the corridors, entrance lobbies, escalators, elevators, security guard booths, office rooms and meeting rooms and the cafeteria.
5. Wiping all metallic surfaces like door handles, security locks, keys etc. 70% alcohol is recommended to be used to wipe down surfaces where the use of bleach is not suitable.
6. Wearing of masks by all staff in the Reception and Lobby areas as directed by the health authorities.
7. Obtaining information in a form filled with the registration card with information such as, country of origin, flight details, date of arrival in Uganda and ascertaining whether they have visited any of the infected countries over the past 2 months and next destination.
8. Checking and recording temperature and any respiratory symptoms of all visitors at the point of checking in. Individuals with fever and/or respiratory symptoms are to be checked by a Doctor or medical professional before being given permission to enter the lodging facilities or guest rooms.
9. Avoiding the use of recyclable cold towels when welcoming the guests.
10. Staff serving the welcome drink must wear disposable gloves.
11. Arranging checking-in and check-out and any other interaction with visitors in a manner that adequate personal distancing is observed and made possible between guests and staff.
12. Avoiding the sharing of telephone instruments with the guests. If the guest is in need to use a telephone instrument during the check-in and check-out processes, there should be a designated one to be used only by the guests. This designated instrument should be disinfected with Alcohol based disinfectant after every use.
13. Avoiding sharing pens and pencils with the guests. This means having pens and pencils restricted to be used by only the guest as required. Disinfecting with Alcohol solution after every use is recommended.
14. Using disposable gloves as a must by the staff when handling credit cards, cash and any documents such as passports given by the guests. After each transaction, the disposable gloves must be properly discarded and hand sanitization carried out.
15. Encouraging the use of paperless systems for checking in and billing with minimal use of paper whenever possible.
16. Sanitizing all key card or key tags every time it is returned to the reception before reissuing. All key cards or key tags must be sanitized before issuing to a guest.
17. Informing the guests verbally and/or using messages to the phone not to leave the room if the guest feels unwell but to inform the reception. The reception will arrange to obtain medical assistance to assess the condition of the guest and further action is to be taken as per the medical advice.
18. Refraining from the handling of children and infants at all times.
19. Avoiding the use of crowded elevators as practically as possible if guests are to be escorted to the room. Avoiding the act of touching any surface inside the elevator as much as possible with the exception of control buttons. A disposable glove or finger guard is recommended.
20. Ensuring that adequate numbers of hand sanitizers are always available at the front desk.
21. Accommodation facilities will also ensure that the welcome drinks are stored in sealed containers. Use of indigenous drinks with known immunity enhancement value will also be encouraged.

Booking changes during COVID-19.

Concerning gorilla & chimp permits, the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) is aware of the fact that the above measures may cause some tourists to adjust and change their planned travel plans. UWA has thus reviewed its terms and established the following guidelines as pertaining to reservations, bookings and cancellation.
Travellers whose travel plans have been affected by the corona virus will not be charged for a reschedule at a later date provided that the request is made before the tracking date. Only 2 reschedules will be allowed for any activity and the reschedule of permits is subject to availability.
Any request for cancellation will follow the existing cancellation policy/procedure which is as follows:

• More than 90 days before the tracking date, 25% cancellation fee
• 89 to 46 days before the tracking date, 50% cancellation fee
• 45 to 9 days before the tracking date, 75% cancellation fee
• 8 to 0 days before the tracking date, 100% cancellation fee

It is communicated that these provisions will be in effect until 31st March 2021, unless otherwise changed after a review process and further discussions.