Post COVID 19 Travels
Post COVID 19 Travels
Post COVID 19 Travels: Months after the COVID19 pandemic hit the world, life sis slowly getting back to normally, lockdowns being lifted across the globe, borders opening and what we love most as travellers – travel restrictions are being lifted; which is very exciting because that means we get to travel again, visit those places we have always wanted to visit, take those long-awaited safaris and enjoy the beauties and adventures of tourism.
It’s an exciting time and we cannot wait to get on that plane, bus, train, car, boat… name it just to go for that safari. Well as you get ready to embark on that safari here are some of the things you need to know and that you will be required to observe or ensure for your safety together with other travellers.
Social Distancing: The mode of the coronavirus transmission has affected the way we interact with each other in many ways including how close we can get to each other especially when we are not from the household or related. Because we have to prevent ourselves and others from catching this deadly disease as you travel you will be required to keep at least a 2m or 6ft distance between you and the other person. The distance will help control the spread of the virus amongst travellers.
This social distance applies at all stages of travel in transit, at the tourism site, during tourism activities and many other places.
COVID19 Tests: All travellers no matter their country of origin will be subjected to a covid19 test before they leave their countries of origin and on arrival in their country of destination. Each East African country has different testing guidelines so a traveller has to consult with his/her tour operator for the specifics of COVID19 testing and acquiring of results. All these tests are paid for by the traveller and at any point if the results come back positive, no matter where the traveller is they will be admitted at the COVID19 treatment centre in that country.
14 days Quarantine; This 14 days Quarantine is isolation for 14 days before you interact with other people in the country you wish to tour. This Isolation is not in all countries and doesn’t apply to all travellers; before you travel you should inquire with your tour operator and find out if it applies to you and how you can go about it. The 14 days of quarantine are funded by the traveller.
Face Masks: Face Masks are the new normal; these are used to cover your nose and mouth which are portals through which this deadly virus can get into you. Well for reasons of preventing the virus from getting into you or you coughing/speaking and spreading it to others, as a traveller you will be required to wear your mask every time you are interacting with the public or simply put other persons.
Sanitizing and hand washing: All travellers will be required to routinely sanitize with an alcohol based sanitizer or wash their hands with soap and water. This act helps kill the virus in case you have come in contact with it; at every stop, accommodation facility, tourism site, eating facility and many more, hand washing facilities has been erected there to enhance this.
Safari cars will also be sanitising before and after use to further ensure clean surfaces that don’t support the virus to live and spread.
Payments: Payments for services will be preferably made by Visa Cards or direct transfer or any other form of online payment system to minimise the handling and direct exchange of hard cash among people, so as you travel it would be wise to have non-cash payment plan in place so that you don’t get caught off guard.
Signs of the Coronavirus: On your safari, if you start to experience signs of the coronavirus like high temperature, fever, cough, flu-like signs among others, you should first, isolate yourself from others and then contact the respective National Health Service provider for proper guidelines and care. Health Toll-free helplines have been provided in every country that can be accessed for such emergencies.
Primate Safaris in countries with primate trekking: Because primates share a great deal of DNA with human beings, so humans if infected with the virus can easily spread the virus to these animals; each country with primate trekking has issued specific guidelines on top on the general guidelines to further ensure the spread of coronavirus is controlled. Inquire with your tour operator for the details of these guidelines.
This is a general list of post pandemic (Post COVID 19 Travels) guidelines for all East African countries, however, each East African country has added some more specific guidelines that apply to the specific country, so it’s advisable you find out what the specific guidelines are for that particular country you wish to visit. Your tour operator will have most of this information.
