Covid -19 Guidelines

Type of RT Operations: Experiential travel company
Where: Primarily Gujarat
More about the homestay: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/operators/soar-excursions/562

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. Soar will ensure that every hotel, homestay, or safari lodge that their guests stay in will have proper sanitisation measures in place, along with masks and PPE suits for the staff as well as appropriate sanitisation measures for the guests like social distancing, sanitised rooms, etc will be mandatory.

2. The hired vehicles will be thoroughly sanitised every day before the guests sit inside. The traveling driver and expert guide will be educated about safety measures. The travel company will be requesting all destination stays to provide appropriate facilities with social distancing norms for the drivers as well as accompanying guides.

3. For the time being, we will encourage the guests to keep adequate social distance while meeting people from different communities, especially in rural and tribal areas. This ensures the safety of the people they meet.

4. Visiting local communities in areas with zero COVID-19 cases will be discouraged so as to not be an accidental carrier of the pandemic to unaffected areas.

Type of RT Operations: Family-run homestay
Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
More about the homestay: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/udai-niwas/525

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. Daily checking of temperature of the staff with infrared thermometers.

2. Staff is/will be masked and gloved when dealing with travellers.

3. Social distancing in dining and other interactions will be maintained.

4. Thorough sanitisation of the homestay on a daily basis

5. Washbasins have been installed in various areas to help guests and staff wash their hands regularly.

6. Washbasin with soap dispenser has been installed outside the entrance for visitors as well.

7. Sanitisers and masks will be provided to the travellers if required.

Type of RT Operations: Jungle resort
Where: Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/jungle-hut/558

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. They will be introducing contact-less check-in and check-out.

2. A sterilisation zone will be created where the guests will be scanned, their luggage will be sanitised before they enter the property.

3. Hand sanitiser stands will be placed in all public areas.

4. Room keys will be duly sanitised and all the points of touch inside the rooms will be disinfected and sanitised after each check out.

5. They have even put together protocols for staff members across departments, like daily temperature and regular hygiene checks that will be recorded.

6. Training on social distancing, usage of masks and gloves, and sanitisation will be done from time to time.

Type of RT Operations: Travel company offering arts & crafts educational experiences 
Where: Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan
More about the operator: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/operators/rajasthan-studio/556

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. Mandatory provision of sanitiser dispenser and thermal screening at the entrance.

2. Only asymptomatic staff and guests to be allowed.

3. Mandatory use of masks by all staff and guests and to be worn at all times inside the premises of the experience.

4. Staff to wear gloves and take the required precautionary measures.

5. Physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet to be maintained.

6. Number of people in the elevators are restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms.

7. Guests to provide their details (travel history, medical condition etc.) along with ID and self-declaration form on email before coming for the experience.

8. Contactless processes maintained throughout the experiences.

The travel company has also proactively taken steps to support the master artists and craftsmen who partner with them for the experiences during this time of 'no-tourism'. Rajasthan Studio has transformed their business model from offline to online experiences for this time. They curated an online festival, ‘Fiesta Online’, for 15 days with 15 expert artists conducting virtual art experiences. They have also initiated Instagram LIVE sessions with artists across the country to understand their take and effects from this pandemic.

Type of RT Operations: Hotel 
Where: Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/camp-dev-vilas/264

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. The rooms are cleaned thoroughly, sanitised, and have been sealed off and will be opened in the presence of the guest at the time of arrival.

2. The seating in the restaurant and common areas adhere to social distancing requirements.

3. Guests are required to share their travel history and photo IDs prior to arrival with the reservations team either through email or WhatsApp.

4. Body temperature of all guests, team members, and vendors entering the premises will be recorded.

5. 70% alcohol-based hand sanitisers will be placed at key public areas and in guest rooms. Safety kits containing disposable masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and surface wipes will be placed in guest rooms.

6. Detailed training is being given to all food handlers on best practises. All material coming into the hotel will be sanitised immediately upon delivery. Packaged items are sprayed with disinfectant and fresh produce is washed with dissolved chlorine tablets in water as per global food safety norms.

Type of RT Operations: Northeast India focused travel company 
Where: Assam (operations in Northeast Indian states)
More about the operator: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/operators/purvi-discovery/534

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. All guides follow the strict instructions given to them like maintaining of social distancing, avoiding taking guests to crowded places, using face masks during the tour, and providing hand sanitisers to the guests .

2. The vehicles used for transportation during tours are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

3. At Purvi's three heritage tea bungalows in Assam, each room is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised to eliminate any possible chance of contamination. The health condition of the hospitality staff is also monitored very closely on regular basis.

4. Any guest arriving with or developing fever or other symptoms during the tour is screened, and arrangements are made for their consultation with local health authorities.

5. Some activities such as tea plantation tours, tea factory visits, visit to monuments, and parks may involve people interaction and will be reviewed regularly as the situation is fast changing on a day-to-day basis.

Type of RT Operations: Homestay
Where: Bisalpur near Jawai, Rajasthan
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/rawla-bisalpur/512

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. The homestay has only four guest rooms and so can ensure small groups of guests and maintain social distancing.

2. All surfaces have been scientifically mapped and special emphasis is given to high touch surfaces, that are sanitised frequently using a high concentration of specialist sanitising agents.

3. Most areas of the hotel are equipped with hand sanitising and traditional washing stations.

4. Temperature scans are conducted for all visitors, family and staff entering the estate.

5. All guests need to provide details of their travel history for two weeks before arriving at the homestay.

6. Rooms are kept vacant for a minimum 48 hours between checkout and the next checkin. Rooms are deep cleaned and sanitised twice a day before a guest checks in. Linen is laundered and sterilised under the supervision of a trained specialist.

Type of RT Operations: Experiential travel company offering city tours
Where: Kolkata, West bengal
More about the operator: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/operators/heritage-walk-calcutta/531

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. The company will take groups to a neighbourhood only if the local community is comfortable having visitors there.

2. Team members' health will be monitored and anyone experiencing symptoms will be isolated.

3. The tour group size has been reduced from the usual 17 to 6.

4. Temperature checks of all participants will be done at the start of the tour and during the tour measures like maintaining 1-metre distance between participants, always wearing face masks and having a sanitiser with them will be followed. 

5. If after booking the tour a participant falls ill they will be able to re-scheule the tour to any date in the next two years. If the company has to cancel the tour, participants get a full refund.

6. The company will check in with all participants 7 days after a tour to ensure no one has developed symptoms or Covid-19

Type of RT Operations: Homestay
Where: Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/the-lodge-at-wah/334

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. Before opening for guests, the Lodge will go through a deep cleaning, sanitization and
pest control and fumigation.

2. At time of check-in, social distancing will be maintained, temperature checks will be done, those with a fever will meet a doctor.

3. Guests will have access to sanitisers and will be provided disposable masks and gloves. 

4. Staff will undergo medical checks before the opening. Once operations start, temperature checks of the staff will also be done. Staff will be educated on safety and sanitisation procedures and measures like maintaining logbook of cleaning actions will be followed. 

5. Staff will wear masks and gloves when performing duties, including in the kitchen. 

6. Guest rooms will be disinfected daily and sanitisers will be provided in each room. Common areas and all touchpoints in these sections will be cleaned frequently everyday.

7. As many meals as possible will be served outdoors.

8. In case a guest shows Covid-19 symptoms, guest will be confined to the room and a partner medical facility will support with testing and quarantining. All contact staff to be monitored closely.

Type of RT Operations: Homestay
Where: Salawas near Jodhpur, Rajasthan
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/chhotaram-prajapats-homestay/55

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. The homestay hosts only a limited number of people and so can maintain social distancing.

2. The guest's temperature is checked on arrival.

3. The guest has to wash their hands and feet just outside of the home, where water facilities have already been made available. Only then do they enter the homestay.

4. On entry, guests are encouraged to take a hot shower in their private bathroom

5. Social distancing will be maintained inside the homestay at all times and guests have to wear a mask whenever they are not inside their room.

6. The homestay will offer hot ginger water to the guests twice a day as a natural method to boost immunity. 

Type of RT Operations: Hotel/Camping
Where: Uttarakhand and Gurgaon
More about the hotel: https://www.responsibletourismindia.com/stay/hushnest-retreats/527

Why they claim they are Covid-ready:

1. Each of their sites has a maximum of 2 nests/tents. The hosts will make sure that social distancing is maintained if two different groups are using the facilities.

2. Body temperature will be checked upon checkin. The hosts will also monitor their own temperature at least once a day.

3. All hosts and guests will be required to wear masks. Additionally, the local staff will be required to wear gloves while cleaning, washing and preparing food.

4. Each guest will be provided a sanitiser and mask upon arrival.

5. Sanitisation, disinfection and proper cleaning of facilities before check in and after check out of guests and once a day during the stay.

6. A 24-hour window between check out and check ins will be maintained so that everything can be disinfected properly.

7. The sites have washable pillows and all beddings are cleaned and sanitised after checkout.

8. A booklet with emergency numbers is already kept in the nests. Hosts will consult doctors even if they or guests have mild symptoms. 

9. Hushnest will offer a more relaxed cancellation policy.