Covid-19 Policy

Due to ongoing concern over the COVID-19 coronavirus and the widely differing regulations in response to it in various countries, Calidris Birding Tours has enacted the following covid-19 policy in order to give some level of simplification on how we intend to deal with it. There remains some level of unpredicatbility in the situation and if you want to know more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email – info@calidrisbirdingtours.com

General Tour Policy

Procedures on tour will be largely defined by the Covid-19 protocols that have been put in place by the governments of the countries that we will be visiting. Be aware that these protocols could change at short notice but hopefully we are getting close to a situation where this should not be a factor.

Booking a Tour

When booking a tour please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the host country of the tour regarding vaccination status and any pre-trip/arrival testing that may be required to join the Calidris Birding Tours holiday. These details may affect whether you can join the tour without having to spend a period of time in self-isolation/quarantine. As time goes on this becomes less of an issue but please do check. For example some countries will allow visitors entry with a negative PCR test while others require double vaccination. In the case of countries that still require a period of quarantine, we will not be arranging tours to those locations.

Face Coverings/Masks

You will be expected to abide by whatever rules have been put into place in our destination country; it goes without saying that we have no control over those rules and that we will always abide by local laws.

If it makes you feel more comfortable please feel free to wear a face mask whenever you decide to but guides, drivers and clients will not be expected to wear face coverings/masks in the field, while travelling in private tour vehicles or indeed any situation unless it is required in the country being visited.

It is also important to understand that different people have different views on the relative benefits of face coverings and that these views should be respected and nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable about their choice.

You will be briefed before trip commencement of the local regulations regarding the wearing of face masks.

You will be expected to have sufficient supply of cloth face masks for the duration of the tour, either disposable or washable. Calidris Birding Tours guides will have some spare face masks should someone accidently lose their supply but clients will be expected to buy replacements at the first available opportunity.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitzer seems to be a useful tool for sterilizing hands when out in the field to protect against a wide variety of bacteria, viruses and funal infections.

We advise participants to bring a sufficient supply of hand sanitizer for their personal use on tour and use it at appropriate times. It is highly likely that in many of our destinations alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be widespread in hotels and guesthouses, restaurants, shops, airports etc. However, participants should have their own supply too. Calidris Birding guides will carry a spare supply should anyone lose their own.

Vaccinations

It will be entirely your responsibility to find out if your Covid-19 vaccination status is acceptable for entry into the country (countries) that your chosen birding tour will operate in. Calidris Birding Tours makes no requirement for vaccination to participate in our tours either for clients, guides or local support staff. At no point will we ever ask you for your vaccination status nor disclose it to others should you happen to mention it to us.

Transport

It is not possible to socially distance when travelling between birding sites without dramatically increasing the cost of the tours. All vehicles used will be thoroughly cleaned before we use them. Acceptance of the risk of travelling in vehicles between birding sites is part of the terms and conditions of joining one of our tours.

Returning Home

Check your home government’s advice on returning from the country you intend to travel to. It will be entirely your own responsibility to know whether you have to make any provision for this.