COVID-19 Enhanced Safety Protocols

The information below describes the current health and hygiene protocols on our adventures. As the landscape of COVID-19 continues to shift, they are subject to change. You will receive information for your specific trip in advance of your departure if there are significant changes to the list below. While we hope to ease some of these requirements over time, we thank you for understanding that these protocols are necessary right now to ensure that we are being responsible travelers in the communities we visit.

COVID-19 is now an inherent risk in all aspects of life, including travel. Getting back to the activities that are important to us, even just going to the grocery store, entails mitigating that risk. Fortunately, there are clear and tested actions we can take to enhance our own and others' safety.

Maintaining high levels of health, sanitation, and following the carefully developed protocols on our adventures is of the utmost importance and will require everyone’s participation.

Behind the scenes, our approach is focused on six priorities: Screen, Prevent, Train, Monitor, Adjust and Support. Much of our work in these areas will be invisible to you, as it happens long before you arrive at your destination. We are screening and training our staff, monitoring developing science and regulations, adjusting our itineraries to avoid crowds and peak times, and supporting hotels, restaurants and our other suppliers to achieve the highest health standards in the industry.

What will be more obvious to you are the measures that will be in place during your trip, and this is where we need your help and active participation. We are implementing a Combination Intervention Approach, which entails action on the part of guides and guests alike in four areas: respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, physical distancing and enhanced sanitation. Guests are expected to practice these protocols during the two weeks before their trip.

Protocols required for all guests and staff include:
• Face coverings
• Hand washing and sanitizing
• 6 feet of physical distancing

Read more below about our specific protocols in each of these areas.

In addition to these protocols, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required in order to join your trip. Beginning with trips that depart on August 7, 2021, all guests will be required to arrive at the start of their trip with verification of a negative COVID-19 PCR test. Please click the orange button below to see the specific requirements applicable for your trip, and to review our answers to FAQs about Nat Hab's COVID-19 travel requirements. All travelers will also be required to complete a Health Questionnaire on arrival and to participate in daily symptom checks during the trip.


In the event a guest or staff member shows symptoms of COVID-19 on your trip, Nat Hab field staff will consult with licensed physicians for medical advice and directions on next steps. Our staff will follow this advice, along with all Nat Hab COVID-19 protocols, in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to other guests and staff. This may include separating the individual experiencing symptoms from the rest of the group.

We thank you, in advance, for supporting these efforts.

 

Respiratory Hygiene

• Guests and staff may be required to wear a face covering while in a vehicle or indoors in the presence of others, and in accordance with Nat Hab protocols and/or local regulations.
• Windows in vehicles will be opened as often as possible to increase ventilation. 

Hand Hygiene

• We will send each guest a personal container of hand sanitizer before the trip. Hand sanitizer will also be available throughout the trip.
• Guests and staff will be required to sanitize hands prior to meals and prior to handling communal equipment.
• Staff will receive enhanced training on CDC and WHO safety guidelines.
• Whenever possible, we will avoid self-serve food and drink options, as well as shared utensils and dishes.

 

Physical Distancing

• Guests and staff may be instructed to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others throughout the trip, when possible, with the exception of family units or friends traveling together. If distancing is not possible, face coverings may be required.
• Guests will be encouraged to spread out within vehicles as much as possible.
• Outdoor dining will be arranged, when available.
• Expedition Leaders may alter the itinerary at any time if a location is too crowded and physical distancing is not possible.

Enhanced Sanitation

• Guests will receive sanitizing wipes before the trip to use for wiping down any personal items, if they wish to.
• Vehicles will be cleaned daily. 
• Nat Hab equipment will be sanitized frequently.