Tri State Safaris Travel Update regarding COVID-19
Updated 31 July 2020
Tri State Safaris is continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation. The health, safety and well-being of both our guests and staff remain our number one priority during this difficult period. To address the threat from COVID-19, Australia’s state and federal governments have issued restrictions that are having a significant impact across our operations and will affect many of our guests travelling this year.
Tri State Tours for 2020 is currently being reviewed and every measure is taken into practice, please contact the office by email or phone to enquire about current tours scheduled for 2020.
Our Cancellation policies have been altered due to COVID-19, and we provide flexibility for all tour bookings. We are not taking payments until 2 weeks before departure date, and we can refund payments should the Government change or alter restrictions. Talk to us about your concerns about bookings and cancellations.
Hygiene Practices
The health and safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority and we’re taking a number of steps to ensure your continued well-being whilst travelling with us. Tri State Safaris is closely following all advice received from Australian medical authorities, as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO), regarding precautions that are needed to minimise risks concerned with COVID-19. We are continually providing the latest updates to our staff to ensure they’re well informed.
Tri State Safaris maintains a high level of cleaning and hygiene across its business. However, as a precaution we are increasing cleaning frequency and intensity across our fleet of coaches, aircraft, boats, lodges, terminals and experiences. Antiseptic cleaning products that reduce the risk of spreading harmful viruses, moulds, fungi, algae and other possible harmful pathogenic bacteria are used by Tri State Safaris in regular cleaning procedures. We are also ensuring our staff maintain high hygiene standards at work, including practising proper hand washing and sanitising procedures. Tri State Safaris passengers will also have access to hand sanitiser at all lodges and terminals, and aboard all coaches, 4WD’s, boats, aircraft.
Declaration forms to be completed prior to travel
Prior to departing on your adventure with us, we will require the completion of a Passenger Health Declaration. This form will ask whether you have recently been in close contact with someone diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19 or have a fever or flu-like symptoms yourself. If you answer yes to any of these questions, you will not be able to join the tour until you have been assessed and cleared by a doctor. The information in the form may be provided to relevant public health authorities and they may apply penalties to individuals who knowingly provide a false statement.
In the event you are unable to be cleared, Tri State Safaris will work with you to arrange for a suitable alternate departure date. For more information, please refer to ‘What if I contract COVID-19 and cannot travel’ located further down.
Guests suspected of having COVID-19
Any guest who presents as unwell or with flu-like symptoms at the start of their adventure will not be allowed to commence their journey with us. Hand sanitiser and masks will be provided to the guest, and they’ll be asked to isolate themselves from other guests and Tri State Safari staff immediately. The guest will then need to see a GP or hospital for testing. Tri State Safaris will assist in securing suitable accommodation during the period of isolation.
If a guest presents as unwell or with flu-like symptoms during the journey, the guest will be isolated from other passengers and staff and transported to the nearest major town for medical testing and/or treatment. Guests will be given sanitiser and masks to help prevent any spread of the suspected COVID-19.
What if I contract COVID-19 and cannot travel?
The overall risk of contracting COVID-19 in Australia remains low. However, if you do contract the virus and you cannot travel on the booked date, you will not be charged the full cancellation fee detailed in our standard Terms and Conditions (you will need to provide a doctor’s certificate in such circumstances). A modest fee may be incurred, and this will be dependent on the notice given and the specific adventure you are booked on and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Tri State Safaris will then transfer you to a suitable future departure date. Any fees imposed by other service providers outside the tour package, such as airlines, will not be covered by Tri State Safaris.