BUFFELSDRIFT GAME LODGE vs COVID-19

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is aware and completely understand all the fears that our guests are facing out there, as we find ourselves in a very difficult time that is affecting all corners of the globe. We know that you are uncomfortable to travel at this moment and we are sensitive towards this. In this document you will read that Buffelsdrift Game Lodge have been up to date with all news regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic and that we reviewed our cleaning and sanitation procedures/protocols. We have elevated our readiness to deal with this situation so that our guest will have a peace of mind when visiting Buffelsdrift Game Lodge again.As top priority we have heightened our cleaning protocols which includes our game drive vehicles, tented accommodation and all guest facilities.Operating a Lodge during this time of COVID-19 will bring about its own challenges, chief among those is the safety of our staff and our guests. Cleanliness, hygiene and sanitization have taken on a new role, which is equally important now during the lockdown as it will be afterwards at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.What we, as the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Team, are doing to ensure the safety of our guest, visitors and staff:

• Persons above 65 years of age may be asked to leave the Lodge, if the Managing Director feels that it is unsafe for them.
• Supporting people with flu-like symptoms by showing them to the closest practitioner to treat their symptoms
• Ensuring separation distances between staff and Guest
• Disinfecting highly touched surfaces regularly
• Maintaining good hygiene, particularly hand hygiene and good cough/sneeze etiquette
• High-risk staff will be allocated to smaller shifts, lower risk areas, be given additional PPE e.g., visors and will work from home where this is possible

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge provides private transport for staff that cannot live on the Reserve. We will reduce as far as possible that staff uses public transport.

• Keeping records of all guest/visitor/passenger/client details plus recent and planned travel information to facilitate contact tracing
• Staff contact details will be up-to-date and all details of staff on all shifts, drivers of vehicles etc., will be meticulously recorded.
• All Employees to sign a COVID Indemnity Agreement.
• The Managing Director as well as all Managers will sign a pledge to adhere to industry protocols.

The safety of guests and staff as our top priority, has continuously revised and fine-tuned its operational protocols, prior to lockdown, and now as we continue with this pandemic we will still be closely monitoring the situation and adapting our protocols to ensure that they meet the latest guidance on hygiene and cleaning so that Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is managed according to the TBCSA standard COVID-19 protocols.Before Buffelsdrift Game Lodge re-opens again we will implement our protocols at the Lodge to ensure a safe working environment as well as discuss and train our staff and suppliers.Educating staff (ongoing)On what the virus is; where the disease outbreak began; ways in which it is transmitted; symptoms to look out for; and daily measures to prevent contamination and spread of viruses in personal, operational and guest spaces.Staff hand sanitizers (alcohol based)This will be available in back of house areas (such as kitchen, office, laundry, staff restaurant and bathrooms) as well as front of house guest areas (such as reception desk, bar and restaurant).Protective wearSuch as protective gloves (and face masks as required) are issued to Managers, Housekeeping staff, Restaurant Staff, Guides and public area Guest Service Staff when on duty. Cleaning of equipment with a disinfectant cleaner will be done regularly.Avoiding close contactWith anyone who is coughing, sneezing and feverish. Anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness to be reported to the manager of that specific department for further action to take place, such as contacting the NICD hotline.Screening of guests and staffOn arrival screening has become necessary in accordance with the national state of disaster pronounced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 15 March 2020. Therefore, in order to prevent an infected person from checking into the Lodge guests will be required to:

• Guest and staff will allow their temperature to be scanned with a thermal scanner by the staff member at the main gate of the Lodge before entering the premises.
• All staff members that make use of the Lodge’s transport, will be screened, by our driver, before they get picked up at their homes.
• Guest will have to do another temperature screening at Lodge reception desk to complete the medical and travel declaration given to them by the receptionist. It is compulsory for all guest to fill in this declaration before check-in.

If a guest’s temperature falls within the normal range (+-37.5°c) and they do not show any symptoms they will be required to proceed to the Lodge Reception for their check-in.If a guest’s temperature is high (actual temperature at screening should not exceed 38°c) and/or they have symptoms of the virus they will be disallowed to check-in and will be referred to a medical facility.

Check-In & Check-outStrict social distancing- and sanitizing protocols will be required in reception. All items on the front desk (pen, registration form etc) and the receptionists’ hands are sanitized, in front of the arriving guest, prior to any guest interaction. A clear Perspex screen will be present between the receptionist and the guest. Guests are required to sanitize hands and credit cards, prior to interaction. The card machine is sanitized before and after every use. Cash payments during this time will be kept to a minimum were possible. Credit card and cleared EFT payments are preferred.

Only one receptionist will be present behind the reception desk and guests awaiting check-in or check-out are to observe social distancing.Sanitizers for GuidesAt the Lodge, all guides, will also be issued to ensure hygiene for themselves as well as all our arriving guests. All guides, doing the check-ins, will be responsible for sanitizing all luggage coming into the Lodge as well as the Golf Cars with which they transport the guest to their accommodation.Guest hand sanitizers (alcohol based)Hand Sanitizers is placed in easy reach of guests in public areas of the Lodge with a notice encouraging regular use.Personal hygienePosters are put up to heighten the importance of washing hands frequently and thoroughly; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth; practicing respiratory hygiene(sneezing and coughing into a tissue that is safely discarded or the crook of the elbow), and avoiding touching one’s face.Regular routine cleaningPublic areas such as staff and guest restrooms, breakfast area, restaurant, table tops, counters, hand rails, door knobs, back office surfaces and front desk surfaces are wiped down on a regular routine throughout the day, with a disinfectant cleaner (that kills 99.9% of all viruses).Room cleaningGuests that are stay-overs will be requested to clean their own rooms daily. Clean and fresh towels will be given to guest each day. Used towels will be placed in a laundry bag, by the guest, and put outside their accommodation. Housekeeping staff will pick it up and replace it with the new cleaned towels.Where guests have checked out, departed rooms are cleaned and sanitized by the housekeeping staff. Rooms will be sealed (with a sticker) at the entrance once it has been cleaned by the housekeeping staff. This will ensure the guest that they are the first to enter the room after it has been cleaned and sanitized.LaundryLinen and towels are washed with a disinfectant during the wash cycle. All Linen and Towels are tumble-dried until fully dry and hot enough to kill any potential viral matter. All the linen is then ironed again through a hot press.RestaurantAll tables will be spaced around in the restaurant according to the distance requirements set out by the TBCSA Protocols. Guest will be able to order from a Set Menu or a Menu written on a black board for lunch and dinner.BreakfastServing standards have been reviewed to replace the usual buffet with a breakfast set menu presented to guests to avoid any instances of buffet contamination during this high alert period.Food and BeverageThe sale or consumption of liquor during the national lockdown on the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Premises is strictly prohibited in line with the Disaster Management Act of 2002. This will change once we are permitted to re-open our restaurant to our public guest. Used crockery and cutlery are placed in the dishwasher and washed at the highest temperature as per FCS standard.Delivery and acceptance of goodsAll deliveries are received at the main gate of the Lodge. Following receipt of goods, the packaging is sprayed and wiped down with a disinfectant before packaging will be taken to the lodge and opened.All surfaces that come into contact with delivered items will be sanitized immediately by our staff on duty.NICD & Provincial HotlineThe NICD & Provincial Hotline is available to all staff and guests. In the event that anyone feels ill after travelling from countries with coronavirus, the South African Department of Health advises first phoning the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) helpline. If you struggle to get hold of them, please make use of the Provincial Hotline then.The NICD hotline number is 080 002 9999.The Provincial Hotline number is 021 928 4102.For any other Tourist related inquiries, please feel free to contact Ilse Jacobs at 082 972 2507.As our president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said, “It is up to us to determine how long this will last”, so we are continuously monitoring developments and doing all, we can to reduce the risk of potential contamination or spread of this disease. We thank you for your support and choosing to stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. We are looking forward to give you the true Buffelsdrift Game Lodge experience as we are known for.Should you have any concerns, questions or queries regarding your reservation, please contact our Reservations Departmentat info@buffelsdrift.com or visit our website at http://www.buffelsdrift.comFor further information about COVID-19 relative to South Africa please click hereFor information from the World Health Organization you can click here