As part of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our guests, staff and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the situation and are in regular contact with authorities  for information and guidance. We continue to implement preventive measures in line with their recommendations.

We have always taken the standards for hygiene and cleanliness very seriously and are taking additional steps to ensure the safety of our guests and staff. 

It should be noted that all international guests travelling to and from our properties have been thoroughly screened at all ports of entry and were cleared and allowed to travel within South Africa. Currently there are no forced or suggested quarantine period in place for entering or exiting South Africa. 

Our safari properties and Cape Town Head Office are working hard to ensure that we meet the latest guidance on hygiene and cleaning – as suggested by authorities. Our current health and safety measures include everything from handwashing hygiene and cleaning product specifications to guest room and common area cleaning procedures. 

All Aquila Collection staff – and their own health, safety and knowledge – are essential to an effective cleaning program:

1. Hand Hygiene: Proper and frequent handwashing is vital to help combat the spread of viruses and our teams are reminded daily that cleanliness starts with this simple act. It is important for their health and that of our guests.
2. Ongoing Training: In addition to training on housekeeping and hygiene protocols, the Aquila Collection head office are also explaining and distributing enhanced COVID-19 awareness information.
3. Real Time Information: Head Office continues using internal communication to distribute the latest news and information that our staff can use to prepare for and respond to COVID-19. In addition, Head Office management teams are on standby 24/7 to support and coordinate with relevant authorities.

Our properties furthermore use cleaning products and protocols which are effective against viruses, including:

1. Guest Rooms: The properties use cleaning and disinfecting protocols to clean rooms after guests depart and before the next guest arrives, with particular attention paid to high-touch items.
2. Communal Spaces: We have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting in communal spaces, with a focus on reception counters, elevators, door handles and public bathrooms.
3. Back of House: In the spaces where staff work behind the scenes, we are increasing the frequency of cleaning and focusing on high-touch areas like staff entrances, locker rooms, laundry rooms and staff offices.

Keeping our properties free from infectious diseases:

1. Guest and staff are regularly monitored for fever symptoms;
2. There is increased continuous disinfection of public areas especially frequently touched areas such as handrails, elevator buttons, door handles and reception desks, and people are reminded constantly to thoroughly hand-wash and use alcohol-based hand-sanitizers;

At this point we can confirm there have been no cases of COVID10 at any of our properties, but we need the help of our most valued guests and staff to reduce the risk of infection by exercising the following routine precautions:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. Where soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
2. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. If a tissue is not immediately available, cough or sneeze into your upper arm;
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
4. Avoid personal contact, such sharing cups or eating utensils.

If we are alerted to the suspicion (based on the monitoring of general symptoms) of COVID-19 at any of our properties, we will immediately alert the relevant health authorities to obtain the facts and guidance on steps to take with both guests and staff. 

Should any guest or staff member show any of the symptoms matching the “Person Under Investigation” list provided by authorities, the person will be required to self-isolate while private health care services will be dispatched immediately to assess the situation.

We will take the lead from their recommendation at that point in time.

We want to reassure all current and future guests, as well as all staff, that everyone’s health and safety is our top priority and we can confirm there have been no suspected cases of COVID19 at any of our locations.