For months, the masses have been trapped in their homes to ensure they are safe from Covid-19. Many hotels and lodges around travel destinations have also remained closed.
But Covid-19 could be here to stay. Knowing that, travel destinations have slowly opened up, seeing that the festive season, which is usually the high season, is around the corner.
With many afraid of contracting the virus since March, people have shunned the idea of travelling and going on vacations, even around the country.
For instance, Mercy Chepchirchir, 33, a regular traveller to the Coast, says she has not stepped foot there in the wake of the pandemic.
“I have always spent my Easter, birthdays and Christmas at the Coast, but it is different this year. I spent my birthday at home as I was afraid of getting Covid-19,” she says.
To see how travel has changed during the pandemic, a friend and I recently left the city for Kilifi county under a campaign by the regional low-cost carrier Jambojet called, ‘Now Travel-Ready’.
The tour sought to highlight how the local travel and tourism industry has put in place protocols to ensure travellers and tourists remain safe throughout their journey and holiday if they choose to spend it away from home.
A lot of people have felt trapped in their homes in Nairobi, and they now want to get out. We are doing everything to ensure they are safe even when the festive season is here
DEPARTING NAIROBI
On arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we had to wash our hands with soap and water before our temperatures were checked. Both our temperatures were at 35 degrees Celsius, so we were allowed in.
Everyone around us was in a mask, and the management ensured we maintained social distance.
Our next step was to check in. We joined the queue, where all passengers kept a one-metre social distance as indicated by stickers on the floor.
When it was my turn to be served, the attendant insisted I sanitise before she could serve me. I handed her my ID but before I got it back, I had to sanitise again, under her watch. She was in a mask and a glass separated her from those like me who were checking in.
“You have to sanitise before picking your ID,” she said.
We moved to the waiting lounge, and in our sitting arrangement, we had to maintain social distance by sitting on only the labelled seats.
As we set to board our Jambojet flight, we had to sanitise again. Also, you could not board your flight until you had worn your mask properly.
The air hostesses were all in masks and while serving us, they had their gloves on.
So far, all the protocols had been observed, but we were still curious to know whether the hotels we would be spending at would be safe enough. Was it possible to have a good time while staying safe?
IN MALINDI
About an hour later, we landed at the Malindi International Airport, where we were received by Giriama dancers. Despite the vigorous dancing, they were all in masks and they maintained distance.
We had to sanitise before getting into a Southern Sky Safaris bus, which led us to the Ocean Beach Resort and Spa, where we would be spending two nights.
We alighted the bus and on reaching the entrance, we had to sanitise again. Our temperatures were taken. All the attendants were in masks and gloves that were changed every other few minutes.
Our luggage was sanitised to ensure we remained safe throughout our stay.
In the rooms, the resort provided masks and a sanitiser for each of their guests, depending on the number of days they would be spending at the resort. Masks are currently complimentary.
During meal times, we were keen to notice that unlike previous visits, we could not serve ourselves during buffets. The chefs, in gloves and masks, could hand you a plate and serve you whatever you requested for.
According to the hoteliers, it would be easier to spread the virus if we all touched the crockery and cutlery, so they sought to minimise the risk of guests contracting the coronavirus.
The sitting arrangement also put in place the required one metre social distance.
Outside, the large swimming pools that were previously filled to capacity were only allowed to hold a maximum of four swimmers. Some were specifically reserved for families that were visiting.
As we headed to the marine park in the Indian ocean for snorkeling the next day, we noticed things were also different. First, we maintained social distance in the boat and before wearing your snorkeling mask, it had to be sanitised as it comes into close contact with your nose.
Since you also have to put the snorkel clip in your mouth to breathe properly in the water as you view the beautiful sea creatures, it had to be sanitised to ensure the user remains safe.
A spot check at the Sandies Dream Garden hotel, Malindi, established that similar Health ministry guidelines had been put in place.
IN WATAMU
A day later, we headed to Watamu, where we were to spend two nights at the Lonno lodge hotel. We were the first guests in the lodge after a six-month closure due to Covid-19.
On arrival, we had to sanitise before we were allowed to our rooms. All the attendants were also in masks and no one would be allowed into the lodge without masks.
“You are our maiden guests during Covid-19. Please ensure you sanitise and follow all the guidelines as required of you,” we were told.
To minimise contact with the hoteliers, food orders were made online. We had to scan the QR code provided in my room to minimise physical touch and interactions with the attendants.
Just like at the Ocean beach resort, we were not allowed to serve ourselves at any time. A mask was provided in the rooms and sanitisers were made available around the lodge.
A spot check at the Turtle Bay beach club in Watamu indicated that the club’s Covid-19 guidelines were a complete replica of the three other hotels.
“A lot of people have felt trapped in their homes in Nairobi, and they now want to get out. We are doing everything to ensure they are safe even when the festive season is here,” Turtle Bay general manager Damian Davies said.
He said all staffers had undergone Covid tests and the club had been fumigated.
“We put up stickers around the building to advise our guests on social distancing. We also reduced the number of tables in the restaurant and put up sanitisers everywhere,” Davies added.
We opted to go for a dhow trip excursion at the Mida creek with snacks and drinks on board. Throughout the excursion, we were all required to be in masks, except when eating or drinking.
We were all required to also maintain social distance throughout the excursion. The servers were all in masks, gloves and we were all directed to sanitise before handling our glasses and plates.
“All the Covid-19 guidelines have to be followed to ensure we do not lose our source of income as we keep our clients safe,” Ali Musa, one of the attendants, said.
In a short visit to the Arabuke Sokoke forest, the forest guide was also in a mask, unlike in previous visits.
Edited by T Jalio
