Security measures relating to Covid-19

Our staff

Our guides, drivers and representatives wear masks for protection. They are equipped with additional masks if our guests do not have them with them. Each guest is required to wear a mask if he or she shows symptoms of flu until he or she receives medical care and is tested.

All guides, drivers and vehicles will have hand sanitizer at hand for the use of our guests.

A list of medical facilities is available in case one of our guests requires medical assistance.

All guides and drivers are trained in the rules of Covid-19 and how to report an infection.

Staff exposed to possible or confirmed cases will be quarantined for 14 days until they are 100% sure they are not infected.

Monitoring and reporting

Nepal Inside Out has drawn up a prevention and reporting plan.

If anyone has symptoms of Covid-19 or there is a strong suspicion that someone is infected, this will be reported to our sustainability manager. He or she examines and examines this thoroughly.

The contact details of all travellers are provided to Nepal Inside Out before the start of the trip. These details will be kept for 30 days after the end of the trip for reporting purposes. After 30 days, this information will be destroyed in a secure manner, in accordance with data and privacy legislation.

Depending on the rules applicable at the time of the tour, your temperature may be checked at local attractions, entrances to national parks, hotels or restaurants.

All drivers and guides underwent health and safety training.

Nepal Inside Out always follows local Nepalese health and safety laws and regulations. It is therefore possible that some elements may change during your trip.

Cleaning of the vehicles

The drivers clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces in their vehicles with alcohol solution after each transfer with their vehicle.

If a vehicle has transported a guest suspected or confirmed to be Covid-19, a complete disinfection of the vehicle will be carried out. All detergents will be safely disposed of immediately after cleaning.

The vehicles will be fully cleaned on a weekly basis.

Food & Beverage

Self-service buffets and shared dishes are avoided in favour of à la carte dining and served buffets. The tables are sufficiently spaced.

Airport transfers

The staff of Nepal Inside Out wear masks at all times during transfers to and from the airport.

The vehicles have disinfectant alcohol for hands on board, which guests use when boarding the vehicle.

Guests are asked to wear a mask in the vehicle. If guests do not have one, masks are available in the vehicle. We encourage our guests to bring their own fabric masks.

We strive for an optimal social distance in our vehicles. People who do not belong to the same travel group will not be placed in the same vehicle.

Drivers or carriers wipe all luggage racks with disinfectant before loading.

Touring

We focus even more on less visited places and sites that still show the beauty and culture of Nepal.

To avoid hustle and bustle at important sights, we adjust routes and departure times.

We make sure our guests know that they can leave a site when they don’t feel comfortable.

Itineraries are reviewed to ensure that social distance measures are respected (except when this is really impossible, e.g. by public transport).

We advise our guests to travel in a private car with driver to avoid the crowded buses.

Aircraft and public transport

For journeys on domestic flights, guests are provided with cleaning wipes so that they can wipe the seats, armrests and frequently touched surfaces.

After using public transport, such as local shared jeeps or buses, guides and customers will be required to use hand-cleaning wipes.

Guides will endeavor to take as much social distance as possible while using public transport.

Guides will wear face masks at all times when taking public transport and will encourage customers to do so if not already required by local law at the time of travel.

Hotels and other accommodation

Usually there will be a temperature check on arrival, in addition to the provision of hand cleaning facilities, and customers will have to comply with all hotel or accommodation guidelines.

We strive to take social measures during check-in/check-out and to limit contacts where possible.

Meals are served à la carte or by a waiter where available. Self-service buffets are avoided in favour of buffets served by a waiter.

All accommodations we work with are assessed for compliance with hygiene standards and the additional measures they take with regard to Covid-19.

Trekking

During the trekking our guides and porters have mouth masks with them. Our guests are advised to bring different mouth masks as well. These can be washed out on the way.

Mouth masks are mandatory in the following situations:
– in the vehicles at the transfer to the starting point and from the end point;
– in case of crowds on the trails and it is not possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres;
– at briefings with the guide if it is not possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres;
– at the tea houses / home stays if you are walking around or cannot keep a sufficient distance from other trekkers.

These rules are not final yet, so may change slightly at the time of your trip.

 

Health and safety at our office.

At our office we have arranged the following:

– Regular cleaning of the office, keeping it in a clean and tidy condition;
– alcohol disinfectant to clean surfaces and hands;
– sufficient ventilation and light, as well as an appropriate temperature in the office space;
– the removal of dirt and grime;
– distance of 1,5 meter between the desks;
– preventing the accumulation of dust and polluted air which are harmful to health and the office space;
– no overcrowding of a working space or place which is detrimental to the health of workers or employees;
– sufficient potable water to be drunk at work;
– modern toilets with hand washing facilities for workers in easily accessible places;
– textile personalized mouth masks for all our staff;
– declaration of the entire office as a smoke-free zone.

 

Carrying loads.

Workers should not normally be used to lift, carry or move loads heavier than the following:

– adult male or female: 30 kg;
– young men (18-19 years): 25 kg;
– young woman (18-18 years): 20 kg;

In our office, it is common practice to limit the load of the carriers to 18 kg. We also have a more extensive policy in place for our porters.

Investigation of occupational accidents.

If an accident occurs during a trekking or tour, our staff member fills in an ‘incident form’ detailing the circumstances of the accident.

If an accident occurs during working hours, the manager has the following tasks:

– ensure that he obtains the necessary details of the location of the incident or of the persons involved,
– he shall collect all the necessary supporting documents,
– have the necessary documents submitted,
– records statements

These directives were last amended on 18/09/2020.