COVID19 Guest Safety Protocols | Discovery Holidays

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact travel and cause serious health outcomes for hundreds of people across Australia. With WA’s borders opening on 3 March 2022 Discovery Holidays continue to closely monitor government health and travel advice and plan ahead for operational safety.

The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our number one priority, and we have aligned our services with the very latest public health advice and industry best practices, to ensure your comfort and peace of mind.

Here’s what we’re doing to keep you safe…

Before you depart

Before we depart we have a number of measures in place to ensure the safety of all guests

Vaccination Checks

All guests are required to provide evidence that they are up to date with their COVID19 Vaccinations prior to departure (or a valid medical exemption). All support staff are fully vaccinated against COVID19.

Pre Departure Health Screening

A health check is completed for all staff and guests prior to departure. Guests may be required to provide evidence of a negative RAT test completed within 48 hours of departure.

Flexible Cancellation Policy

Services are rescheduled or cancelled where a guest is displaying cold or flu-like symptoms, has experienced a temperature above 38.1°C, is not up to date with their vaccinations.

Alternative Itineraries

Travel restrictions may impact festivals and events throughout the year and alternative itineraries are planned for variations to scheduled departures.

To keep safe we continue to explore the natural wonders of WA’s national parks, small regional towns and community attractions with an exciting range of road-trip itineraries to suit all styles.

While you are On Tour

While on tour, we have taken the following measures to ensure the risk of exposure is minimised for all guests

Small Group Sizes & Support Ratios

High staff support ratios on all our services mean that guests benefit from a minimum 1:3 staff to guest support ratio. Except for special events, all group tours have a maximum capacity of 10 persons (inclusive of staff and guests).

Meals & Dining

Delicious food is part of every Discovery Holidays’ experience. While we may have to avoid indoor dining places you’ll enjoy mixed supported self-catering with fresh pre-delivered groceries, catered picnics, BBQs, takeaway meals and selected alfresco bistro dining. Shared facilities such as kitchen equipment and food preparation are subject to strict hygiene procedures and sanitisation.

Temperature Checks

Guests and staff are required to participate in temperature screening daily during multiday excursions.

Temperatures are taken and logged to track any changes in the health of our guests and support staff.

Masks

Masks (supplied) are required to be worn at all times inside vehicles by all passengers without a medical exemption.

Transport

We will be operating all private sedans and minibuses at 50% seating capacity to allow social distancing.

Accommodation

Single rooms with private facilities is a standard inclusion on all supported tours and excursions. Use of all shared facilities such as lounge, dining and lodge style bathrooms use strict hygiene protocols, regular cleaning and sanitisation of surfaces.

Health Screening

A daily health screening is performed on all guests and support staff checking for any symptoms that may indicate further testing is required.

What happens if someone becomes symptomatic on tour?

In the event that a guest or staff member records an elevated temperature or displays any cold or flu-like symptoms we will take the following steps:

Isolation / Physical Distancing

The person will be provided with comfort and adequate support to isolate to their room as soon as practical.

If vehicle transport is unavoidable the masked person shall be as physically distant from other people as can be achieved before returning to isolate.

Rapid Antigen Tests

A PCR or Rapid Antigen Test will be performed and the results recorded and reported.

Contact

Operational support team to initiate contact with guardians and guest representatives, request internal clinical support and additional or replacement support staff.

Medical Advice

Medical advice shall be sought from the Coronavirus Health Information Line and/or the Guests nominated medical contact

Returned to Home

Persons returning a positive RAT test will return to their place of residence and soon as practical to complete further Covid-19 PCR Testing and follow the recommendation from WA Dept of Health.

Additional Resources & Links

Discovery Holidays Protocols & Policies
Covid19 Resources

NDIS participants – Covid-19

Find out how your service provider is keeping you safe and changes that might be needed to protect everyone

WA Government Updates

Information and advice on the COVID-19 coronavirus for the community and businesses in Western Australia.

Covid-19 health updates

Follow live updates from the federal Department of Health

Disability Gateway – Covid19 Support

Provides information and referrals for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (Covid-19).

The Helpline can help families, carers, support workers and services, too. The Disability Gateway is free, private and fact-checked.

Covid-19 domestic travel updates

The current situation in Australia, although good compared with other countries, is still very fluid. The federal Department of Health gives the latest updates on interstate travel restrictions.

Covid-19 international travel updates

There’s a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affair
Short Term Support Solutions
With challenging times continuing we want to let our community of guests, staff families and service organisations know we’re here to help wherever we can.

We have made significant changes to minimise the risk to our community support services that will provide solutions for those requiring:
- alternative out-of-home support
- emergency short-term supported accommodation
- 24-hour individual support
Deposits are fully transferable, and there is no charge to alter your travel plans to a later date or hold as a Future Holiday Credit and all payments are 100% refundable up to 3 days before departure.

(Except travel deposits such as Airline tickets and accommodation with refunds subject to supplier terms and conditions)

Covid-19 Customer Information