On Tuesday, June 30th, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, along with Global Ports Holding, offered a free webinar on ‘Safely Resuming Ground Transportation Operations in the Tourism Sector.’ This virtual activity was mainly geared towards taxi/driver operators, and tour operators. The main lesson was to train transportation operators in the importance of the passenger’s reassurance through the implementation of health safety measures during the ground transportation experience, including the reduced capacity of passengers inside a vessel/vehicle.
The COVID-19 health safety guidelines discussed emphasized that increased focus must be placed not only on the vehicle, but also on the driver, along with the critical points of the tourism experience related to the trip. Some of the guidelines include waiting areas, the pick-up and drop-off processes of the trip, regardless of the duration.
Some of the priorities under the health safety guidelines include protecting jobs and livelihood, safeguarding the health of the driver, assuring the passenger health safety, ensuring quality customer service, education and training and collaboration and partnerships. These core guidelines and protocols were created to protect residents and visitors in the reopening and continued operation of tourism services.
It was recommended that capacity in all vehicles be reduced to 70% for groups of persons not related to each other/ strangers. A vessel/vehicle with a capacity of 29 should carry 20 persons or a 15 seater should carry 10 passengers instead. Operators should apply this new norm to allow room for social distancing and enhancing a safe environment.
Operators should also engage in the application of Infection Prevention and Control requirements such as hand washing/sanitizing, use of Personal Protection Equipment, ventilation, and cleaning and disinfecting. Additionally, ground transportation services are recommended to explain the safety guidelines to passengers.
Another important point shared is the fact that the guidelines are not meant to displace, but rather complement, those which are adopted by destinations and companies. The purpose is to advance guidelines at a destination level, as well as core measures, building resident and visitor confidence, guaranteeing the Caribbean region to continue being a top tourism destination.
For more information on this initiative and a detailed proposal click on this link
