COVID-19 + LADY LESLIE
As we begin to welcome international travelers back to beautiful Belize and learn to navigate the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic, we want you to know your well-being and safety are our top priorities. We have enhanced, protocols, procedures and guidelines which will reduce the risk of COVID-19 while exploring the water with Lady Leslie. We have considered all the angles and want to realign your expectations as we set sail, or drop a line in the water, while keeping everyone safe in this new reality.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The Belize Tourism Board has created a Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program for tour operators, accommodations, restaurants, gift shops and transportation providers (golf carts) to reduce the risk of COVID-19. They need to meet certain criteria to welcome guests. Moving forward, international visitors are encouraged to stay and play with those that are certified Tourism Gold Standard.
And we are pleased to say that we are Tourism Gold Standard certified!
This 9-point program focuses on enhancing cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies and standard operating procedures, while ensuring minimal impact on your experience. We are deeply committed to ensuring you feel that your well-being is in good hands. You can learn more HERE.
NOW, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
For us to receive our certification we’ve had to adopt enhanced protocols, procedures and guidelines that the BTB and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have put in place. If you’ve hit the reef with us before, be prepared for a few changes. If you are new to Lady Leslie tours, you’re in good hands.
Before you do anything else visit: http://www.travelbelize.org/health-safety
Belize Tourism Board COVID-19 Update:
https://www.belizetourismboard.org/news-and-gallery/belize-covid-19-update/
For an approved list of Gold Standard accommodations:
https://belizetourismboard.org/industry-sectors/gold-standard-approved/
For an approved list of Gold Standard tour operators:
https://belizetourismboard.org/industry-sectors/tourism-gold-standard-tour-operators/
BOOKING
Book with us by phone, email or contact us from the CONTACT US tab on website. We’ll arrange your tour and send you a booking and authorization form to complete in advance. You’ll be asked at the time of booking what accommodation you have reserved. You’ll also need to know a little about each person in your tour including their first and last name, mobile phone, email, emergency contact name and mobile phone, gender and age.
WHAT TO EXPECT
If you are staying at an accommodation with a dock, or close to a dock, you will be picked up by boat at a scheduled time. If you’re on a tour with the Lady Leslie you’ll be brought to the Lady Leslie dock and then we’ll set sail. If your accommodation has a dock with enough water depth and if we are heading that direction we’ll pick you up with the catamaran. If your accommodation does not have a dock you will have to arrange for transportation for pick-up/drop-off at the Lady Leslie dock.
You’ll be asked to wear your face covering and practice 6ft physical distancing until your boat departs either dock.
To adhere to the Tourism Gold Standard tour operator certification, we will complete a temperature and symptom check and ask for your Belize Travel Health app unique ID number to record in our Tour Health Log. This means you’ll need to have your phone on hand. We’ll offer hand sanitizer and gently sanitize your personal belongings and gear with a 70% alcohol-based spray. After a short briefing as to what to expect throughout the tour, including a review of our COVID-19 risk management policies, you’ll be invited aboard and set sail, or go fishing.
You’ll see smaller group numbers on the boats to give everyone enough personal space to feel safe. We’re disinfecting and sanitizing with more frequency too.
Boats will be fuelled and ready to go and once departed are not permitted to stop anywhere other than the pick-up and drop-off docks, so make sure you have everything you need for a great day once you leave the accommodation or Lady Leslie dock.
At the end of the day when we return back to the dock your face covering goes back on and 6ft physical distancing comes back into play.
TOUR POLICIES
The following policies are in effect from the time any person enters the accommodation or Lady Leslie dock, or vehicle:
- Face covering – mandatory for crew and guests at all times
- Physical distancing – 6ft is required and reinforced, except in a vehicle
- Hand sanitization – required prior to entry and exit from the boat and/or vehicle
The following protocols are in effect during the tour:
- Face covering
- mandatory for crew all times
- mandatory for guests upon arrival and departure from the accommodation or Lady Leslie dock
- Physical distancing – 6ft is required between the crew and guest, except on the boat
- Hand sanitization – required prior to entry and exit from the boat
MANAGING THE RISK OF COVID-19
Our crew has received enhanced training in new protocols, procedures and guidelines to help reduce the risk of COVID-19. They will have a temperature and symptom check recorded upon arrival to prepare for your tour. They will clean and sanitize the boat, equipment and gear using EPA approved products, adhering to the enhanced procedures developed by Lady Leslie, upon the advice of the BTB and MOH prior to tour departure and upon return.
Crew will prepare tours wearing a face covering and disposable gloves while disinfecting everything from boats, equipment, gear, provisions and anything else you may come in contact with during your tour.
Hand and gear sanitizer and a COVID-19 kit including a thermometer, N95 and surgical masks and disposable gloves are onboard. In the event of a symptomatic suspect COVID-19 case, we have developed a response plan for every scenario to ensure you are cared for immediately, following the advice of the MOH.
Lady Leslie will provide the crew with all the information they’ll need to make sure you have the best day ever. It is the crew’s responsibility to reinforce our COVID-19 policies and procedures throughout the tour to help everyone keep safe.
GEAR PROTOCOL
Each guest will have their own gear assigned as needed so as to not share. Personal belongings and gear will be sanitized by the crew before brought aboard the boat.
FOOD + BEVERAGE PROTOCOL
Food and beverage provisions for snacks and/or lunch are procured in advance by the crew for Lady Leslie Tours. Disposable service items will be used for food and beverage service where possible. Galley items including utensils, dishes, pots, pans and service items that are used will be disinfected and sanitized according to protocol. Beverages include soda, water, beer and rum punch, all served by the crew. Snacks and/or lunch is prepared in the galley and served by plate (plate service), also by the crew. There are no self-service food and beverage items during any tour to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For fishing tours aboard Jes Sea, a separate cooler for each the crew and the guests will be assigned for each to supply their own provisions (if necessary). The crew will provision soda, water and ice for the guest in their dedicated cooler. The guests are responsible for their own snacks, lunch and alcoholic beverages, all of which can also be stored in their dedicated cooler. All provisions, coolers and/or crates will be disinfected where possible (ie: bottles, water bags).
All waste will be disposed of by the individual (this is a nice way of saying, please clean up after yourself), gathered and sealed on the boat and/or on-site and disposed of adhering to waste management protocol.
TRASH MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
A waste and recycling bin or bottle crate are on board each boat. All provisions, bins and/or crates will be disinfected where possible (ie: bottles, water bags). Empty bottles and/or bags and food waste and/or packaging are deposited individually by the crew and/or guest in the waste and/or recycling bins/crates and secured in an effort to contain the possible spread of COVID-19. Bins will be lined with a waste bag and discarded of at the end of every shift, tour or when full. When discarding waste and/or recycling at the end of a shift, tour or when full a face covering and disposable gloves will be worn. Waste bags will be securely tied and disposed of in the Lady Leslie bin for pick-up by the municipality. Bottles in crates for return will be disinfected. In the event of a suspect COVID-19 case waste will be double bagged and recycling will be discarded.
WHAT TO BRING
- Face covering (mandatory)
- Mask, snorkel and fins (only if you want, we have gear that has been sanitized) OR
- Personal mouth piece (optional – if you are using ours and only if you want to)
- Towel
- Hat, long-sleeve sun protection, wetsuit
- Light raincoat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Eco-friendly sunscreen
- Mobile phone, camera (Belize Travel Health app unique ID number and notifications)
- Gratuity is appreciated (sealed in a Ziploc bag)
TRANSPORTATION
Lady Leslie offers pick-up and drop-off on Ambergris Caye almost anywhere with either their 24ft Panga, or if possible, the Lady Leslie catamaran pending water depth at the dock and proximity. There is a fee for long distance hauls.
The Lady Leslie vehicle (golf cart) will be available in the event of an emergency including transport of a suspect COVID-19 case to the Mar de Tumbo Clinic and/or as directed by the health authorities.
The Lady Leslie vehicle will have policy signage displayed, hand sanitizer and a COVID-19 kit on board during guest pick-up and/or drop-off. Lady Leslie will follow protocols for vehicle disinfection and sanitization. Face covering is mandatory for all passengers throughout transport.
DEPOSIT + CANCELLATION
All bookings require a deposit to secure a tour. Cancellations must be made in writing by email.
- 30 days or more, full refund less $50 USD administration fee
- 14 days prior, 50% refund
- less than 14 days, non-refundable
- fault of our own, reschedule
Cancellations during Christmas/New Year’s and Easter holidays are 100% non-refundable. In the event of a COVID-19 situation refunds are at the discretion of Lady Leslie.
PAYMENT
Credit card information will be collected using an authorization form and entered manually. Full payment is due 30 days in advance of tour departure. Receipts will be emailed.
BEHAVIOR
It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not behave in a way which causes offence or a danger to others, including the spread of COVID-19, or which risks damage to property. In such circumstances Lady Leslie has the right to terminate the tour, in which Lady Leslie will not be liable for any refunds or reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result. Further, you will be liable to reimburse Lady Leslie for any expenses incurred as a result of such behaviour.
DISCLAIMER
Lady Leslie does not assume any liability for any risks and dangers associated with any tour and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or any other loss that may occur or arise during or as a result of the tour.
Guests of Lady Leslie may be subject to temperature and symptom checks, self-isolation, quarantine, adhering to the Belize Travel Health app, cancellation fees, fines and/or penalties for not obeying the MOH and/or Government of Belize laws at an additional cost to the guest. Lady Leslie will not be held liable.
Lady Leslie may use your personal information for the purpose of facilitating your participation in the tour and/or the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program requirements to help prevent the risk and spread of COVID-19. Your image and testimonial may also be used in the promotion of Lady Leslie.