We Are COVID-19 Aware

We totally understand that you probably feel a little unsure about traveling at this point in time when there is so much uncertainty over whether its safe to travel and whether you might pick up this nasty bug while on a trip.

In order to prevent the spread of this virus we have put together a set of “Standard Operating Procedures” that complies with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. These are a set of rules that we have set for ourselves that will ensure that we minimise the risk of coronavirus while operating our trips.

You are probably wondering at this point how complicated and difficult it is to run such a trip that is all inclusive and requires close contact with a bunch of people you don’t know.

You are right, this is difficult, but we have to comply with these rules as it is our basic human responsibility at this point to prevent the spread of coronavirus while continuing to provide jobs for the many people that rely on African Ascents for a livelihood on the mountain.

Luckily all the evidence seems to suggest that the risk of catching coronavirus while outdoors is very low, making outdoor and mountain adventures a good choice for a holiday these days.

At this point, it is predicted that by mid June Kenya will start to allow international flights and Nairobi and other counties will be released from lockdown. We are preparing ourselves and our staff to be able to safely run mountain trips when this happens. We will be running workshops for the porters, camp managers, cooks and guides that lead these trips.

There will be a lot to teach and practice but it has to happen and we believe it is possible.

Please see the following list of procedures that we will be following to make sure that you are safe and that our employees are safe:

Standard Operating Procedures for Mountain Climbing.

1. All porters and crew to attend workshop on Covid-19 awareness, safety measures and preventing spread guidelines.

2. All crew to wear appropriate PPE and sterilise hands before handling or packing equipment. All offices and points of entry to have hand sterilization stations and masks available.

3. All food packing to be sterilized with 70% alcohol solution or appropriate commercial solutions ie chlorine (waterguard) + water solution.

4. All fresh food where possible sterilized / cleaned with appropriate sterilization solution and packed in cleaned / sterilized tubs.

5. All companies to provide sterilized transport to gates for clients and porters. PPE to be worn by drivers and porters in transport at all times.

6. All guests and staff temperatures to be checked prior to entry.

7. Those with fevers / high temperatures / flu like symptoms to be denied entry

8. Masks are mandatory for porters and clients when in close proximity of others

9. All companies to have rubberized/bin liner bags to carry equipment. Serves to stop any contamination of equipment / bags and positive side effect of waterproofing to a degree

10. In camp on arrival have hand washing facilities before setting up camp

11. Masks to be worn by any crew setting tents

12. All serving staff to guests or porters to wear masks and sterilise hands prior to serving food or drinks or accessing the mess tent

13. Kitchen tents a must with only cook and camp crew allowed to use, all other staff kept away

14. Hut care takers to disinfect all public toilets every 30 minutes when guests are in the vicinity.

15. Gate wardens to disinfect all public toilets at the gates every 30 minutes when guests are in the vicinity.

16. All eating spots to be planned to accommodate distancing of groups according to expected capacity

17. Multiple sign out books / stations to allow more space less congestion with spacing ground markers

18. Anyone with symptoms should be requested to descend with appropriate support and monitoring

19. KWS Mountain Rescue should be notified of the casualty being a potential COVID-19 case and therefore every one assisting the evacuation should take the necessary evacuation measures.

20. KWS Rescue officer should notify the Hospital in advance of a potential COVID-19 case in order for them to prepare themselves with appropriate PPE.