TOURISM RESTARTS IN COVID- with
Tourism is one of the worst-hit industries globally by Covid-19. It is feared that the losses from the pandemic can be substantially higher than the estimated figures, as the world is facing an unprecedented situation. Local economic crisis on the tourism sector, owing to Covid-19 is an unparalleled scenario with further uncertainties, as how long it is going to last and thus losses will have to be constantly revised as circumstances change. Therefore, the tourism industry all over the world is devising different policies and strategies to switch on to the survival mode by initiating controlled tourism activities. This refers that some activities pertaining to the tourism industry may be initiated, while minimizing the risk of pandemic of Covid-19 with minimum public interactions. It is will support the stakeholders related to the industry for survival and will help in avoiding the complete collapse of the tourism sector.
Keeping in view the national and global scenario in view, it is imperative for the Government of GB, to provide the industry with the right tools, resources, and relief packages for its survival and to bounce back effectively, during this difficult time. As the tourism business model in Gilgit-Baltistan is primarily focused on catering to the needs of national and international tourists, therefore, the domestic and foreign tourist may be attracted to visit un-crowded tourist destination like natural parks, mountains, rocks, forests, etc. Similarly, activities which involves less crowed and public alike mountaineering, trekking, paragliding, and rock climbing can be promoted. We may initiate all necessary measures to attract tourists to visit an un-crowded touristic destination instead of visiting crowded places. This mode of controlled tourism may be helpful in attracting foreigners and domestic tourists to GB, thus giving the industry some necessary support for survival in this time of Covid-19. The following SOPs are devised by the Department of Tourism GB in consultation with all stakeholders to initiate Controlled Tourism Activities in GB.
SOPs
“No Mask No
Tourism”
For the survival of the tourism sector in GB during the pandemic of COVID-19, tourism activities shall be started in controlled mode, wherein, all the Tourists shall be bound to visit GB thorough registered Tour Operators. Group tourism shall be encouraged in GB to avoid minimum community interactions and to follow social-distancing guidelines. Adventure Tourism for trekking, expeditions, and hiking will be encouraged, wherein minimum community interaction will be ensured. Tour operators shall be bound to take the tourist to the designated tourist destinations defined by GB Government.
Tourists shall not be allowed in red zones, declared by the government of GB during this COVID -19 Pandemic. This information will be
disseminated at entry points of GB in view of the Daily Situation Report.
Tourists must be bound to reserve/ book rooms/hotels through Tour Operators in tourist facilities prior to visiting Gilgit-Baltistan. All necessary documentation and record shall be compiled by the tour operator.
The fresh COVID-19 test result will be mandatory for all travelers/tourists (not older than 07 Days). In case of positive results, they shall not be allowed to proceed further from entry points. The tour operator shall share all information pertaining to the tourist i.e. medical and travel history etc.
Screening and Registration of the Tourist will be mandatory at all screening points/ entry points. The Tourism Department, GB will register and develop a database reflecting all the details of tourists (domestic and international separately) in the jurisdiction of Gilgit-Baltistan, whereas, Health Department will carry out screening. Tour Operators shall be bound to provide all necessary information pertaining to visiting groups.
Tourist Police shall be deployed at each entry point in GB and each district to assist the Tourism Department, and District Administration.
Information Desks shall be established by District Administration, Tourist Police, Tourism Department, and Health Department GB for close coordination. Tour Operators must remain in close contact with all stakeholders for the submission of information pertaining to a visiting group of tourists.
The SYMPTOMATIC/COMORBIDITY tourist should be QUARANTINED immediately at his own expense at the hotel and return to his native residence as soon as possible. It will be the responsibility of the Tour Operators to quarantine the symptomatic tourist in hotels, Government of GB will not bear any expense for the tourist infected by COVID-19 within GB.
District Administration, 1122 Department, Tourism Department and Tourist Police 1422shall ensure the establishment of Helpline for tourists. The Directorate of Tourism will establish control room for coordination with all stakeholders.
If someone gets symptoms of COVID-19, they shall call the helpline of 1122 and 1422, Tourist Police through a tour operator, before visiting hospitals, concerned Assistant Director and District Administration shall compile information and maintain a database though designated Tour Operator.
Tourism Department, GB will draft a checklist along with the SOPs already defined to allow the Hoteliers and Tour Operators to open their business. The undertaking of this checklist will be vital to each stakeholder.
The Tourism Department, GB will issue NOC to the Hotels for Operationalization after setting certain criteria.
Paying guests shall not be allowed to enter in GB.
Prior to the operationalization of hotels PCR testing of employees of the hotel are mandatory.
Display posters for promoting respiratory hygiene. Combine this with other communication measures such as offering guidance.
Information pertaining to COVID-19 and the importance of social distancing should be placed at the reception of hotels and conspicuous areas of the facility.
CCTV camera should be installed at Entrance, Reception and Restaurant with a minimum of 24 hours of recording.
Rooms should be disinfected prior to check-in of each guest.
Mask, gloves, and sanitizer should be placed in each Rooms.
The Hoteliers and Tour Operators must share the booking of each tourist with concerned district tourism office on a daily basis. The report must contain information regarding visits of the tourist and latest medical history in the form of daily basis declaration form (prepared by the health department) of the tourist reflecting all the details i.e. daily tourist plan, medical history. The manager of the hotel shall be responsible to maintain all records and registered. The AD Tourism will further disseminate it with the Directorate/ Secretariat of Tourism and Concerned DC on a daily basis.
Local Government/ Waste Management Company will be responsible for waste management i.e. installation of the waste bin at tourist places, waste collection, and disposal in proper waste bags. Littering on the tourist destination must be dealt with relevant laws by imposing fines by the Local Government Department.
The employer shall monitor their employee’s temperature each day with thermogenic. If found fever or comorbidity, the employee shall be sent to the hospital, and information thereof be sent to AD Tourism.
Display posters with a message regarding COVID-19 in Hotels, Restaurants, and Tour Operator offices, etc.
The information shall be in Urdu/ English language or in the form of pictorial presentation.
The distance of 6 feet shall be maintained.
All employees including managers and allied staff of the facility must be trained on COVID-19.
Temperature checks at the entrance of the hotel should be mandatory with thermal guns at the main entrance.
Guests having fever and comorbidity should be requested to return or should be Quarantined on his own expenses at the hotel and return to his native residence as soon as possible.
Arrangements to be made for indicating social distancing, e.g. by marking the ground with adhesive tape, and drawing lines in areas such as the reception desk or areas where crowds can be expected. Information brochures and notes are readily available to guests at the first touchpoint in order to familiarize themselves with the measures are taken and practices adopted regarding health and hygiene in the hotel
Keep sanitizer for guests to use at the main entrance of the hotel.
Masks shall be made available in the hotel, guest house a rest house, and in other facilities.
To ensure disinfection and clean guest luggage after informing the guests
If the guest is arriving from restricted countries or regions, the concerned management of hotel must ensure to get detailed information from the guest upfront before arrival or at time of making the reservation and share with Tourism Department and Home Department
For all pre-booked guests, all check-in formalities should be completed online to reduce contact and time at the front desk.
Dissemination of safety, hygiene, and other instructions to the guests as per the new SOPs.
Ensure staff members are wearing masks & gloves at all-time.
Keep paper, envelopes and all equipment sanitized.
If dealing with cash money, ensure both employee and guest use hand sanitizer after each transaction.
Due to Social Distancing norms, allocate 01 room for one person/1 family and 75% occupancy should be maintained out of 100 %. However, individuals in the groups should be given separate rooms, the remaining 25% should be kept for the quarantine facility.
Guests’ instructions given at the reception should include instructions on how the rooms are sanitized at regular intervals.
Hotel management must ensure Housekeeping staff to wear safety gear.
Keep sanitizer at regular intervals in the corridors and small dispensers in the rooms.
Laundry, room service instructions should be available in the room for the new SOPs being implemented.
Room linen to be changed on a daily basis.
Create a separate check-out area if it getting over-crowded.
Advise the guests to inform their check-out plans in advance so that bills can be made ready.
Waste Management protocol to be prepared by the hotel management and these measures should be recorded and checked by the relevant manager. However, the quarantine room’s waster must be dealt with separately according to the protocols of health department.
Hotel management and should appoint an officer to follow the entire process on waste management.
Sanitation items and personal protection equipment (PPE) shall be properly and safely dispose of. Keep swabs that guests can use with sanitizer to clean their cell phones or credit cards etc. in the Hotels. A trash can and other cleaning equipment shall be periodically disinfected.
Necessary cleaning and disinfection processes required to be carried out in the garbage rooms periodically.
SOPS FOR RESTAURANTS
To reduce the number of tables to maintain Social Distancingnorms, seating for the dining tables to be reduced to half of the capacity of the restaurant. There should be no crowed in a restaurant, management should inform the guests about the availability of dining tables.
On arrival, instructions should explain to guests that they should come down to the restaurants only when a table is available to avoid crowding.
Staff must be trained for minimal contact/communication during service.
Ensure staff is wearing protective equipment like masks, gloves and hairnets.
Use disposable napkins which are pre-packed or individually packed serviettes.
Keep sanitizer for guests and staff use on the reception counter.
Keep swabs that guests can use with sanitizer to clean their cell phones or credit cards etc.
The "Open Buffet arrangement" should have social distancing measures have been taken to prevent hygiene and contamination
Operational kitchens must be sanitized at regular intervals.
Dettol must be kept in all washrooms
Limit the number of staff to the minimum required staff can be organized into teams to
reduce interactions between teams.
All staff should wear disposable masks, gloves, hair nets and all other safety gear.
Run limited menus and ramp-up in a phased manner.
Ensure proper cleaning of vegetables, fruits, meats and all other materials that are required
in the kitchens; use approved sanitizing agents to disinfect.
All supplies need to be fully sanitized before entering the stores and refrigerators.
Employees must report any situation in case there is suspicion of Covid-19 or signs of illness to
the relevant manager.
Waste Management protocol to be prepared by the hotel management and these measures should
be recorded and checked by the relevant manager.
Hotel management should appoint an officer to follow the entire process on waste management.
Sanitation items and personal protection equipment (PPE) shall be properly and safely disposed
Trash can and other cleaning equipment shall be periodically disinfected.
Necessary cleaning and disinfection processes required to be carried out in the garbage rooms periodically.
Time Management should be ensured to allow smaller groups over a longer period of time to avail restaurant facilities.
SOPS FOR TOUR OPERATORS/ TRANSPORTERS
Tour Operators shall be responsible for submission of proper itinerary of the group to the Department of tourism for vetting reflecting all the details i.e the route, expected tourist destination to be visited, date, and time of the visit.
The Tour Operators and Transporters must share the booking of each tourist with concerned district tourism office. The AD Tourism will further disseminate it with Directorate/ Secretariat of Tourism and Concerned DC on a daily basis.
All employees including drivers, crew, etc. must be well-informed about all COVID related operating SOPs.
The driver/crew shall wear protective gear such as mask, gloves, etc. during the entire journey.
The operator/owner/driver shall ensure to disinfect the vehicle according to the set procedures prior to commencement of Journey and before boarding of passengers.
Keep sanitizer for use by driver, crew, and guests in the vehicle.
The driver should be instructed to limit conversations to minimal.
Temperature checks at the start of the trip should be mandatory for guests, tour guides, and drivers. Anybody having fever/comorbidities/symptom shoulder asked to stay back and contact the nearest hospital/medical facility immediately.
Any traveler having symptoms or feelings of COVID-19 including but limited to shortness of breath, coughing, high fever, and sore throat during the trip must immediately inform the nearest health facility on the way through designated Tour Operator. The Tour operator shall be bound to submit all the details to the tourism Department GB.
Travel companies shall ensure that the tourists are seated in half of the total capacity of the vehicle to ensure social distancing and must require to wear masks and gloves throughout the journey.
The operators/driver shall avoid an overcrowding inside the vehicle.
The traveler shall not be allowed to congregate during the journey.
List of use fulltime such as hand sanitizer, tissue paper, surgical masks, thermometers, and vomit bags must be kept for the customers.
During the journey, patronize reputable and hygienic
restaurants which adopt/practice precautionary measures and provide liquid
soap/ handwashing facilities etc.
Travelers should avoid visiting business centers, malls, markets etc
Keep enough space between work desks in the offices of tour operators
Limit the number of guests in the area
Disinfect each desk, equipment, and work area after the guest has moved out.
While visiting the historical monuments social distancing must be practiced and all necessary gears must be adopted.
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