Covid-19 | Great Wonders of Egypt

PROTOCOLS FOR DEALING WITH COVID-19

Global partners will be kept updated with regard to any changes in policy locally – border closures, additional quarantine measures being introduced, restrictions in the country. Please Click HERE if you wish to sign up for our Egypt Travel newsletter.

Ground team in every city office (CAI, LXR, ASW) will make sure all vehicles are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to use and also regularly during use for all activities regardless of its length.

Ground team will have spare supplies of hand sanitizer and wet wipes during all activities.

Tour leaders, airport reps, and guides have the contact details for local hospitals in addition to general hospitals recommended by the government
Hygiene protocols and procedures have been set with all local restaurants across Egypt.
Tour leaders will be in local restaurants ahead of the group by approx 30 mins, to check on the hygiene standards.
It has been arranged with local restaurants that all meals are served. In case of a buffet, it is a served buffet, where the chef and restaurant staff are the ones responsible for serving the food to travelers' dishes. This is a regulation by the Ministry of Tourism.

GWE Operation team discussed with all accommodation providers on every tour what measures they are putting in place and ensured that they have a similar no-tolerance policy for their own staff who may have contracted or exposed to the virus where feasible.
It was agreed with all accommodation providers, that if any of their previous guests contracted the disease, we will be informed, and the information will also be shared with our global partners along with the course of action taken by the accommodation provider.

All food handlers employees are currently wearing surgical masks & gloves during their duties.
All lifts’ panels are sanitized every hour by housekeeping staff members.

All leaders, reps, guides, and drivers have been briefed verbally and in writing to follow the best-practice advice for avoiding catching and transmitting COVID-19 as follows: -
Frequently wash your hands with soap and (ideally hot) running water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, then sneeze into the crease of your elbow.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Always carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use them frequently.
Please note that as per recommendations of the MoH, the use of facemasks is recommended.

Once a tour starts then the following reactive measures need to be put in place: -

If any team member starts to present symptoms which could be COVID-19 (cough, high temperature, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and - perhaps confusingly - general symptoms similar to a cold or flu) they MUST remove themselves from the tour immediately and get checked for the virus. GWE head office will provide a replacement to step in as required if needed. GWE will inform the global partner and also the travelers.
The same is applicable if any team member has come into recent close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19.
All team members have been informed that in both of the above cases, failure to declare potential exposure is unacceptable as it puts people at risk and – given our higher duty of care to our travelers, it could be considered as an extremely irresponsible act for which the travelers might raise a complaint.

Guides will brief travelers on the protocols at the start of the tour at the introductory briefing/meeting.
Guides will direct travelers to all possible stops for washing their hands.
Leaders and guides will check that there is enough spare stock of hand sanitizers on the bus.
Leaders and guides will remind travelers to wash their hands before and after meals.
Leaders and guides will observe clients on a daily basis for any potential illness/virus symptoms.
If a traveler presents with symptoms, the tour leader and /or guide in charge will check with a local clinic/hospital to see if they can be admitted and checked for the virus.
Leaders and guides will remind travelers to wash their hands regularly after handling money.
Guides will avoid crowded areas where possible or co-ordinate with the operations team to visit sites when less busy.
All the ground crew is fully aware that if any traveler is confirmed with the virus, GWE HQ will be notified and also the global partner and the traveler must follow the recommended procedures set by the MoH including the location of quarantine and type of medical assistance and prepare all needed details by the insurers.
All leaders, reps, and guides will check in with the head office team at the end of every day for a debriefing and situation updates.