Kilimanjaro During Covid

SOPS THAT JERRY TANZANIA IS ABIDING BY FOR CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is a set of guidelines developed by the Tanzanian government for managing the COVID-19 pandemic based on directionsof the World HealthOrganization (WHO).SOPs’ two main goals are to ensure that incoming tourists to Tanzania do not bring in the COVID-19 virus and preventing tourists from Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro from getting infected while in the country.

“#Covid-19 Let's Not Panic. Yet, In Order To Protect Yourself From Coronavirus, It Is Important To Comply With Experts’ Instructions.”

Is Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro safe during COVID-19?

“As of June 2020, Tanzania is now accepting tourists under normal and regular ‘pre-covid’ border rules.”

• Airlines have resumed flight operations and very soon Universities will be opened and the resumption of sports and international flights will take effect as the infection has been declining in the country.
• The measure of mandatory 14-day quarantine for foreigners visiting the country that was devised by the government previouslyhas been lifted.
• It has been estimated by Tanzania’s tourism industry that after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic the number of tourists visiting the country will drop from an estimated 1,867,000 to 437,000 annually.
• Loss of jobs will reduce from 623,000 jobs to 146,000 jobs after the COVID-19 crisis as the majority of employment id tourism based in Tanzania.
• As per the statement of president Magufuli, most of the Covid-19 patients have fully recovered with just a few remaining in hospitals.
• The last recorded data of COVID-19 cases in Tanzania were 509 with 21 deaths. There have been no new cases in the country.

SUMMARY WHAT OUR CLIENTS SHOULD EXPECT

“There is no mandatory 14-day isolation or quarantine period for travellers into Tanzania.”

• For Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro,tourists will be subjected to a temperature check on arrival at the airport, park gate, and hotels.
• After this only Individuals showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival in Tanzania will be instructed to consult our medical team and stay in the 14-Day quarantine period.
• We have trained and equipped our mountain crew who will be wearing masks when they are in vehicles, at the park gate, and while they are at camp.
• While interacting with clients, even the hotel staff will wear masks.
• Social distancing measures will be in place by all-mountain crew and hotel staff abiding by the guidelines and maintaining a distance of at least three feet (one meter) from clients.
• For clients, it is mandatory to wear a mask when traveling in vehicles and when in public places.
• Clients are required to supply their masks for their safety.
• We have sufficient Medical masks (KN95, N95, surgical masks) and non-medical face coverings (cloth mask, neck gaiter, Buff).
• It is advised to all clients to carry hand sanitizer at all times. All clients are also required to supply their hand sanitizer.
• Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a voluntary decision keeping in mind that there are still chances of exposure to the virus and therefore abiding by the guidelines strictly is important.

WHAT ARE KILIMANJARO OPERATING PROCEDURES DURING THE COVID-19?

The National Standard Operating Procedures for management of the COVID-19 threat has been released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. The gist of thisall-inclusive seven-page document with details regarding the continuation of operations while protecting visitors has been mentioned below:

• Sanitizing facilities and handwashing must be provided to guests and staff
• Staff members should maintain a distance from one another and guests
• Thermal screening for arriving passengers
• All contact surfaces are cleaned and sanitized regularly
• Staff members must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when attending to guests and servicing guest areas
• Different vehicles used for the transfer of clients will be sanitized with recommended sterilizer between each transfer.
• For every vehicle,hand sanitizers will be made available.
• While traveling all staff and clients will be required to wear a mask in vehicles.

SAFETY OF GEARS AND EQUIPMENT WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

• Clients will always have the same tent to sleep in each night.
• Only two porters will be responsible for erecting the sleeping tents at each camp.
• Porters will sanitize their hands between handling each tent.
• Tents will be placed 10 feet (3 meters) apart for maintaining distance.
• All clients will be required to pack their equipment bag each morning and leave it outside the tent so that it does not have to be handled by the tent crew before dismantling the tents.
• All camping equipment (tables, chairs, toilet tents, etc.) will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• All camping equipment will be disinfected before use.
• All crew packing up the equipment will follow the recommendation for handwashing and sanitizing while handling the equipment.
• All equipment and facilities used for packing food will be cleaned with a disinfectant that is approved for use with food.
• Fresh food received from the market will be washed with disinfectant before packing.

SAFETY WHILE DINING ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO

• All staff involved in the production and serving of food will be required to wear masks and disposable gloves.
• We will practice social distancing as far as is practicable in the confines of the mess tent.
• Only the cook and his assistants will be permitted in the kitchen tent.
• Only the appointed waiter(s) will serve food in the mess tent.
• For larger groups, we may use two mess tents.

BRIEFINGS AND HEALTH CHECKS WHILE CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO

• All staff involved in the production and serving of food will be required to wear masks and disposable gloves.
• We will practice social distancing as far as is practicable in the confines of the mess tent.
• Only the cook and his assistants will be permitted in the kitchen tent.
• Only the appointed waiter(s) will serve food in the mess tent.
• For larger groups, we may use two mess tents.

SANITIZATION OF CAMPSITES ON MOUNT KILIMANJARO

• All accommodation areas will be frequently cleaned and disinfected.
• Dining facilities will limit the number of guests to adhere to safe physical distance requirements. Guests may be allocated a time to visit the dining area to avoid congestion at busy periods.
• There will be no buffet-style meals. All meals will be plated service.
• Staff will be required to use recommended protective equipment when attending to guests and servicing guest areas.
• Clients will be required to undergo thermal screening when arriving at the hotel.