COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
Here at Guidelink, we completely understand that visitors may have concerns regarding Health & Safety during these uncertain times. As part of their extensive training, all our Blue & Green-Badged Guides are experts in effective and safe group management techniques, on streets and at tourist sites.
In addition, the Institute of Tourist Guiding, the British Guild of Tourist Guides, the Association of Professional Tourist Guides and the Driver-Guides Association have created the Covid-19 Guidance for Tour Guiding. All Guidelink Guides will be following these guidelines when carrying out tours across the UK
Guidelines:
1. Guides will ensure they are familiar with the most up-to-date public health guidelines and will adhere to these for the duration of the tour.
2. Guides will maintain government-recommended social distancing between themselves and clients at all times. On tours where the group includes different households, guides will encourage and help clients to adopt appropriate social distancing between each other too.
3. When guiding groups from different households, guides will follow government guidance to determine the maximum possible group size.
4. Guides will avoid shaking hands or any other physical contact with clients.
5. Guides will apply rigorous hygiene practices, including thoroughly cleaning and waiting for hands to dry before guiding, and use a personal hand sanitiser when this is not possible.
6. If requested, guides will consider wearing a mask or visor.
7. Badged guides will know where public toilets/hand-washing facilities/hand sanitiser points are available.
8. Remote audio devices (such as Whisper, Vox and various apps) can be effective for social distancing on guided tours. Guides will happily work with tour companies using these systems.
9. Badged guides are experts in the tourist sites they visit with clients. Guides will ensure they are fully aware of sites’ specific Covid-19 requirements and comply with them.
10. Badged guides know the towns and cities where they lead tours intricately. Guides will be familiar with more crowded areas and will make best efforts to negotiate them, or if appropriate, avoid them.
11. Where appropriate, guides will liaise with coach companies and private vehicle companies and drivers to ensure vehicles have been thoroughly sanitised.
12. Driver guides will ensure their vehicle is thoroughly cleaned inside after previous use. They will follow licensing authority and national Covid-19 regulations for cleaning their vehicles and maintaining air-conditioning systems. Driver guides will carry disinfecting wipes, hand sanitisers and paper towels in their cars, and will use face masks if appropriate.
13. To support test and trace, guides will obtain contact details for all clients or the lead person per booking, and keep the details for at least 21 days following any tour – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace.
Should you require the Guidelines in pdf format, please contact us for a copy
