Himalayan Holidays follow all the covid guideline provided by Adventure tour operators association of India (ATOAI)

Receiving Guests

Protocol for representative or driver receiving guests at the airport or railway station

Greet the guest with a Namaste!

• Person going to receive should wear mask (cotton/reusable/washable) and can use disposable gloves if required, though recommended best practice is to wash /sanitize hands frequently. (Nitrile gloves can be reused after sanitizing)
• Maintain minimum 2m distance from the guest (as or as directed by govt. mandate)
• Check temperature of all guests. Guests running a temperature of more than 100.4°F/38°C should be immediately directed to get in touch with local health authorities. DO NOT LET THE GUEST BOARD THE VEHICLE. (A detailed communication about what will happen in case the Guest has fever should be sent in advance by the Tour Operator/ Hotel to the Guest, clearly mentioning that if the guest has temperature, we will have to inform the health authorities and cannot allow the guest to board the vehicle. Please see suggested template in the Appendix). No SPo2 check for silent hypoxia.
• Follow the state guidelines for downloading/use of app. Checking ‘Safe’ Status in the Arogya Setu app is recommended prior to entering the vehicle. All the guests must be informed about the app and the procedures at the time of reservation.

If the guest has no temperature, proceed with the next steps:

• Give all guests a mask (if they are not carrying one) and a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The cost may be billed to the guest, if necessary.
• Ask them to use the sanitizer immediately and also before touching anything.
• For guests staying for a shorter time like day trips, etc., a sanitizer dispenser can be provided in the vehicle and the driver can dispense the sanitizer onto the guests’ hands.
• Inform the Guest that his bags will be disinfected.
• Spray and Wipe down luggage and luggage handles with the disinfectant surface cleaner before handling. The disinfectant should be sprayed and left on the surface for minimum one minute before wiping off with a tissue or cloth. (see recommendations for disinfectants)
• Avoid giving water bottles, towels for refreshing, newspaper, etc.
• A communication can be sent to the Guest at the Time of reservation to bring their own refillable water bottle or the Tour Operator/ Hotel can gift an aluminium/stainless steel bottle to guest. This can have the Tour Operators/Hotels branding

Guest Transport

• The car/coach should be disinfected after every use. High touch areas (door handles, seats, seat backs, steering wheel, power window buttons, door locks, windows, screens, small portable TV screens etc.) should be sprayed with disinfectant surface cleaner. The disinfectant should be sprayed and left on the surface for minimum one minute before wiping off with a tissue or cloth. (see recommendations for disinfectants)
• Ensure the driver/crew is wearing protective gear such as 3-layer mask (cotton/reusable/washable), reusable gloves (Nitrile gloves can be reused after sanitizing), etc.
• Guests should be seated in the rear seat in the car. A transparent separation (such as polycarbonate sheet) between the front and rear seats is advised.
• Consumption of food and beverages inside the vehicle is not recommended
• Car should have sanitizer and mask for guest (if they are not carrying one). As before, it may be billed to the guest, if necessary.
• Driver/crew should be instructed to keep conversation to a minimum
•  Avoid air-conditioning since the virus can remain in recirculated air. Keep windows open.
• Guests should leave adjacent seat empty in coach or taxi unless it is a family of people travelling together
• Guest instructions (this may include tour itinerary; safety precautions being taken by the Tour Operator/ Hotel for hygiene and disinfection) to be sent to the guests via Email/WhatsApp in advance or given via Email/WhatsApp at pick up point by the Representative/Driver
• Alternatively, a vinyl sticker with the hygiene precautions/safety standards can be placed at the back of the front seat.
• The sticker/WhatsApp booklet/Email must cover all the steps being taken by the Tour Operator/Hotel; for safety and sanitization along with the operational norms for restaurants, room service, housekeeping & laundry procedures for Hotels.
• No brochures/Handouts/collaterals to be given to guests as these are touch points. Everything should be sent digitally.
•  All curtains and carpets to be removed from the vehicle.
• As far as possible follow pre-planned itineraries with minimum layover at pre-determined stops only

General points

The protocols outlined below are designed to minimize the risk of Covid-19 infection for guests and activity leads. However, some important points to note:

• Never compromise on regular safety protocols. If the Covid-19 protocols outlined here prevent the full execution of a normal safety protocol, then don’t conduct the activity.
• Current guidelines mandate that masks must be worn when outdoors. However, there is concern that masks may restrict breathing. In this scenario, it is recommended that the rules be followed, but keep a close watch on participants for light-headedness, dizziness, numbness or tingling and shortness of breath. If any of these symptoms manifest, stop and take a break. If a pulse oximeter is available to hand, check O2 levels and take first aid action if necessary.
• Close physical contact, especially between activity leads and guests, may be unavoidable for some activities. In such cases, either (i) group a set of guests (<10) and the associated activity lead into a “bubble” and treat that bubble as a single entity or (ii) consider not doing the activity
• Follow all mandatory Covid-19 protocols stipulated by the concerned authority and take personal responsibility for a. practicing social distancing, b. using face masks appropriately c. practicing good hygiene including washing hands, avoiding touching the face, and sneezing or coughing into the inside of the elbow.
• Err on the side of being over-cautious and remain well within the capabilities of all participants to avoid unnecessary strain on emergency and health services
• The World Health Organization does not believe that wearing gloves outside is effective in preventing coronavirus infections: “Regularly washing your bare hands offers more protection against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves,” the health organization has clearly stated. (Ref: https://www.facebook.com/WHO/posts/2988790457832984)
• Use these guidelines to develop your customized version of these guidelines

Equipment and it’s use

1. Follow manufacturer’s guidance on equipment cleaning and quarantine
2. As far as possible, guests should use self-owned equipment. Minimise sharing or borrowing equipment
3. If equipment is being provided by the operator on a long-term basis (such as tents or trekking pillows for multi-day programs):

• Allot the equipment at the beginning of the expedition. Identify each set with the guest name and place in a thick re-useable plastic bag.
• The re-usable plastic bags will be off-loaded from the ponies/transport vehicle at the end of every day and laid out on the ground for the participants to open themselves.
• Participants are encouraged to set up their own tents and interiors. Assistance will always be at hand, but we would encourage participants to minimize third party contact with their equipment as far as possible.
• Participants must be strongly urged to bring their own sleeping bags.
• Keep equipment assigned to a bubble together

1. If equipment is being provided by the operator for short term use (such as harnesses or helmets)

• After each use, wipe down hard equipment (such as cycles, kayaks, carabiners, pulleys, belay devices, harness buckles, helmet shells etc.) with surface disinfectant, 10% bleach solution or alcohol-based sanitizers (min 70% iso propyl alcohol).
• After each use, spray isopropyl alcohol (min 70%) on soft equipment (such as harnesses, helmet insides, drybags, ropes) to disinfect them and let dry naturally (few minutes). Do NOT use bleach or detergent to clean soft equipment since this will degrade the nylon.
• For further brand-specific information, please visit https://www.challengedesign.com/blog/gear-manufacturers-statement-regardingcleaningsanitizing/

1. As far as possible, use demonstrations to help guests with wearing PPE. Provide hands-on assistance only when essential. If physical contact between the activity lead and guest is unavoidable for helping them wear PPE properly, then.

• Wear a mask
• Ensure minimal contact
• Sanitize all points of contact with alcohol-based sanitizer (min 70% isopropyl alcohol) after each guest.

For the Guide:

• Wear a mask
• Do Namaste (no shaking hands or body contact with others)
• To be seated in the front seat to not have body contact with guests.
• To be briefed on social distancing and sanitisation

For the private vehicle provider (such as Gypsy)

• Sanitise vehicle seats and handlebars before and after each safari
• Do Namaste (no shaking hands or body contact with others)
• Inform guests that they should use the toilets at the resort before leaving for the park.
• Inform guests that they have to eat their breakfast in the vehicle and will not be allowed to alight.
• Inform guests they have to wear a mask and face shield or as directed by the forest department.
• Guests below 10 years and above 65 years are not allowed to get entry into the park. Pre communication must be sent to the guest regarding this at the time of reservation as per NTCA directive.

Thank you for booking your next holiday with us. We are looking forward to your visit, and wish to update you on our concern for your safety, while you are with us

Team: Himalayan holidays