SOP's AND GUIDELINES FOR TRAVEL & TOUR OPERATORS COMPANIES

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

The tour operator will ensure that his group/ guests/ tourist(s) must have:

  • Sanitizers/Masks/Gloves be part of hand baggage.
  • Undertaking by tourists to follow SOPs of Service Providers.
  • Tourists shall be liable to quarantined as per the laid down protocols, (if deemed necessary).

The tour leader/guide will carry a Performa containing

  • Entries of Passport/CNIC No.
  • Recent Travel History of each guest
  • Phone/mobile numbers of Tour Company and guests' close relatives. (for any emergency contact)
  • Detailed day-by-day travel itinerary.
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Tour Operator Office

  • Security employees, if deputed, must have been trained on COVID-19.
  • Temperature checks at the entrance of the office should be mandatory.
  • Client/staff running a temperature of more than 98.6° F should be politely requested to return or guided to the nearest hospital/medical facility.
  • 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 poster must be displayed near the entrance in order to familiarize visitors with the measures taken and practices adopted regarding health and hygiene in the office or during the tour.
  • Keep sanitizer for visitors to use at the main entrance and at the reception counter.
    Provide a mask if a visitor is not wearing one.
  • If the client is arriving from restricted countries or regions, ensure that you have detailed information from the client upfront before arrival or at the time of making the reservation.
  • Give safety, hygiene, and other instructions to the client as per the new SOPs.
  • Ensure staff members are wearing masks & gloves at all times.
  • Keep paper, envelopes and all equipment sanitized.
  • Keep swabs that clients can use with sanitizer to clean their phone or credit cards.
  • If dealing with cash money, ensure both employee and guest use hand sanitizer after each transaction.

Tour Transport

  • Ensure the driver is wearing protective gear such as a mask, gloves, etc.
  • The vehicle shall be disinfected according to the set procedures prior to commencement of Journey and before boarding of passengers.
  • Keep sanitizer for use by driver and guests in the vehicle.
  • The driver should be instructed to limit conversations to a minimum.
  • Guest instructions to be placed in the seat pockets; the information booklet must cover all the steps being taken by the tour operator/hotel for safety and sanitization procedures.
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Safety Precautions During Travel

  • Travelers shall be seated in a staggered way so that necessary social distance may be ensured and would be required to wear masks throughout the journey.
  • Temperature checks at the start of the trip should be mandatory for guests, tour guide, and driver.
  • Anybody running a temperature of more than 98.6° F should be politely asked to stay back and contact the nearest hospital/medical facility
  • 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.
  • The traveler shall not be allowed to congregate during the journey.
  • A list of useful items such as hand sanitizer, tissue paper, surgical masks, thermometers, and vomit bags must be prepared for tourists.
  • Patronize reputable and hygienic restaurants which adopt/practice precautionary measures and provide liquid soap/ handwashing facilities etc.
  • In the case of a group, travel arrange an appropriate coach for the size of the group to avoid overcrowding inside the coach.

Employee Healthcare and Training

  • Ensure regular health check-ups for employees and freelance tour guides.
  • Temperature check of tour guide and driver at the start of the trip should be mandatory. Any staff running a temperature of more than 98.6° F should not accompany the trip in any case and immediately contact the nearest hospital/medical facility.
  • In case operation of expeditions in remote areas, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Safety Team in case of any requirements, train the Safety Team to handle and wear disposable PPE equipment in case they have to evacuate a potential suspected case.
  • In case operation of expeditions in remote areas, provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the Safety Team in case of any requirements, train the Safety Team to handle and wear disposable PPE equipment in case they have to evacuate a potential suspected case.
  • Conduct sensitization sessions for staff on upgraded hygiene standards.
  • All employees including tour guides and drivers must be well-informed about all COVID related operating SOPs
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Tour Operators Must Ensure That

  • A written undertaking assuring adherence to SOPS/Instructions issued by Federal, Provincial or Regional Governments shall be provided by the tour operating company prior to commencement of journey.
  • The Tour Operating Company will share complete details of group members including travel history, country details, medical history, and all other relevant information. All traveling groups shall be scanned before entry To and Exit from any province/ region.
  • Tour Operating Company shall ensure the provision of signed health declaration Form/Guardians in case of infants/Disables prior to commencement of journey.

Use of Hotel /Accommodation Facilities

  • Tour companies shall only use approved hotels and accommodation facilities for providing boarding and lodging facility to their guests.
  • A list of approved hotels and accommodation facilities strictly following the SOPs will be provided by the provincial/regional tourism departments. case of infants/Disables prior to commencement of journey.
  • During travel, the stop over stay or stay for meals will also be arranged at the pre-approved restaurants/hotels.
  • Guest must be instructed about the safety and hygiene procedures during the stay at hotels.
  • Disinfect and clean guest luggage before every departure.
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Tourist Areas

  • For tourist visiting areas the local authorities should ensure that they comply with guidelines issued from time to time by the government and local administration.
  • A leaflet of instructions indicating all the measures for their safety should be provided at specified points by the local authorities