As a result of the recent and current events in regards to COVID-19, we want our guests to know that we continue to pride ourselves in operating safe and rewarding trips. As always, the safety and well-being of our guests is paramount on all of our adventures. We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions and answers regarding health & safety protocols that we continue to implement, improve, and monitor.
Q: Upon arrival what do you do to make sure a guest is healthy?
Prior to a trip, we always screen guests by requiring certain personal information be submitted on our Member Agreement, to assure each guest is suited for the physical ability level and the type of trip they are planning to undertake. We always perform a daily medical check on each of our guests to make sure they remain safe & healthy during a trip. We fill out a daily medical chart on each guest – the information and vitals that we collect: Pulse O2 saturation, body temperature, daily medications, check for headache, general body aches, and regular eating, sleeping, defecation and urination. These questions are asked daily and recorded privately on our medical chart for each guest as a routine medical check.
Q: What are you doing differently with your medical check(s)?
We will now be doing a baseline medical check upon arrival to make sure that a guests start healthy. The main guideline upon arrival will be guest(s) temperature (standard human body temperature is between 97.7° and 99.5°). If a guest shows up with a temperature over 100.5°, we would deem this unsafe to continue with the trip. All guides and staff members will also be checked daily.
Q: What is the isolation or evacuation plan?
Upon arrival, if a guest has a temperature over 100.5°, we would arrange private transportation to the hotel where they would check-in to their room while we reach out to our medical resource(s) to assess the situation and determine next steps to follow for the guest’s and group’s safety. The guest would be assigned a single caregiver and a communication resource (radio or phone) so they can communicate with their caregiver. We would make every effort for the guest to be isolated and comfortable while we assess and communicate with medial control.
Q: What if a guest falls sick during the trip?
We would follow a similar guideline as listed above; Evaluation->Isolation->Communicate with Medical Command->Transportation to higher medical care.
Q: Are there local medical facilities throughout the remote areas of your trip in Southern Utah?
Yes. From arrival in Las Vegas until departure in Salt Lake City there are medical resources and facilities in all areas of Utah. A list of the medical facilities we have access to in each location:
Medical Centers: Utah Mighty Five National Parks Adventure
1. Las Vegas has multiple medical centers and EMS services.
2. St. George, Utah (between Las Vegas and Zion NP): Dixie Regional Medical Center (435) 251-1000
3. St. George, Utah (between Las Vegas and Zion NP): Corner Clinic Urgent Care (435) 709-8786
4. Hurricane, Utah (between St. George and Zion NP): Hurricane Valley InstaCare (435) 688-6388
5. Springdale, Utah (Zion NP Entrance): Zion Medical Center (435) 772-3226
6. Garfield Memorial Hospital (Bryce Canyon NP) (435) 676-8811
7. Bryce Valley Family Clinic (Bryce Canyon NP) (435) 679-8545
8. Torrey, Utah (Capitol Reef NP): Wayne Community Health Center (435) 425-3744
9. Moab Regional Hospital (Arches NP & Canyonlands NP) (435) 425-3744
10. Price, Utah (between Moab and Salt Lake City): Castle View Hospital (435) 637-4800
11. Salt Lake City has multiple Level I medical centers, including the University of Utah.
EMS & Helicopter Air Ambulance services:
12. AirMed (University of Utah Medical Center): (801) 581-2500
13. Life Flight (IMC Intermountain Health Center): (801) 321-3330
14. Gold Cross Ambulance Service: (801) 972-3600
Q: What would your response be for a guest getting sick?
We would follow a simple but direct process for patient care: EIMCT
Evaluation: We determine a guest is showing “symptoms of concern” and we feel it necessary for them to be checked by a higher level medical resource.
Isolation: We will separate the guest from others. We will check the guest into a hotel room where they are safe and can be distanced from others in a comfortable setting, while we evaluate the situation (guest now becomes a patient).
Medical Command: We will reach out to a higher medical resource and consult with them on the patient’s signs and symptoms, situation, and next steps for us to follow.
Transportation: Arrange transportation with the local EMS services to transport the patient for a hand-off to higher medical care.
Q: What are you doing during your trip to help guests remain socially distant from other groups?
The nature of most of our trips is to be outdoors, enjoying open spaces. We are generally hiking and exploring outdoor areas, which is easier to be distant among ourselves and the general public. If eating at a restaurant, we aim for outdoor dining, but if indoor is the only option (winter season), we abide by strict CDC protocols of wearing masks while not eating and keeping appropriate 6 feet distance from other parties.
Q: How do you plan on distributing water during the day to guests if one time use plastic bottles are not allowed or preferred?
We use large BPA free water jugs for cold water (with electrolytes as an option) during the day. Guides will be refilling water bottles for guests and wearing powder-free vinyl gloves while handling bottles, or food.
Vehicles
Q: What are your safety and cleaning protocols for the transportation services?
In Utah, we own our vans and support trailers. Our vehicle safety remains the same as always in regards to transportation. Our vehicles are cleaned daily with disinfectants to assure our vehicles are clean for guests each day.
Q: Are you doing anything else in regards to vehicles for guests?
Yes. We are using multiple vans instead of a large coach bus to transport guests. This allows us to fall within the guidelines of smaller group size in the confined space of a vehicle, plus have more flexibility if needing to split the group. Each vehicle is equipped with a portable hand washing station equipped with soap where guests can wash their hands at any time. On-board each of our vehicles, guests have access to a cleaning caddy that includes: hand sanitizer, hand wipes, biodegradable hand soap, foaming hand soap, Clorox wipes, tissues, bleach wash spray, simple green spray, sunblock, insect repellent, and vinyl gloves. Guests can access the cleaning caddy for personal use any time.
Guest Personal Hygiene Kit: At the start of each trip, guests are given a “TP Kit” which includes: handy wipes, personal sized tissues, hand sanitizer, set of vinyl gloves, and a disposable face mask. This personal kit is concealed in a zip-lock bag that each guest can carry in their day pack.
Hotels
Q: What is the procedure for guest rooms being cleaned?
We partner with the finest properties in each national park area. These properties have current COVID-19 protocols for cleaning and servicing rooms. Hotel check-out is at 11:00 am. We typically check-in to hotels around 5:00 pm or later. This gives Housekeeping Services the necessary time to adequately clean and sanitize rooms prior to our arrival.
Prior to our hotel arrival, the WWTrek Trip Manager calls the hotel to confirm our reservation and group arrival time with reception. Upon arrival, our WWTrek guides organize our groups check-in at reception and the group will be briefed outside when they step out of the vehicle. Guest rooms are checked to make sure they are clean and ready. Guests can then proceed directly to their room with no need to go into the common areas of the hotel. We recommend that on multi-night stays at lodges, our guests do not use Housekeeping Services to clean their room. Fresh towels and supplies will be available. If a guest prefers to have their room cleaned during their stay, Housekeeping Services are available.
Q: How will the guest stay out of the lobby if they are going to their room?
The properties that we use in Southern Utah have individual outdoor entrances. This is a common Southern Utah hotel design to allow the guests to enjoy the outdoor and scenic beauty of the area.
Q: Are hotel employees required to wear masks and gloves?
All hotel employees are wearing masks and gloves required by state regulations. All food service employees are also wearing masks and gloves.
Group Meeting Space
Q: For the daily briefing, where will you meet with the groups?
The nature of all of our trips is to be outdoors, so we will be conducting our group meetings in open outdoor spaces.
Group Meals
Q: What will you be doing for group meals?
Breakfasts will be a combination of outdoor restaurant/hotel dinning and homemade meals eaten on-the-go to the trailhead. Restaurants are required to abide by safe social distancing guidelines, limiting the amount of occupants in any space at any given time. For lunch, we provide self-packed picnic lunches for our guests. This is standard on active trips so guests can eat when they need to throughout, based on burning calories and their personal preference. We are always outside in open spaces during lunchtime, along with an amazing view! We will be eating dinners outdoors enjoying a cookout, or at a vetted restaurant. The restaurants we choose are of the highest quality and abide by limited capacity and social distancing guidelines.
- No buffet style meals are served.
- Room service is also available for guests.
Insuring Your Trip
Q: How can I comfortably sign onto my trip not knowing about the future?
Per our flexible COVID-19 booking policy, we are currently accepting member agreements with no upfront deposit to lock-in your trip space. We will collect a $500 deposit 90 days prior to departure. Full payment will be due 60 days prior to departure.
Q: Is there insurance I can buy to protect my trip?
We recommend purchasing Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance, CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) coverage. Ripcord CFAR insurance will cover all expenses if for any reason your trip needs to be canceled, including flights, trip expenses, trip disruption, or evacuation services. Your Trip Manager can introduce you to a Ripcord representative that can assist you with all your insurance needs.
Thank you! We will continue to focus on operating our trips as we always have, with the safety and well-being of our guests at the forefront of all of our adventures. Please feel free to contact us directly at any time if you have questions or comments. We look forward to safely hosting you on your next epic adventure!
All the best!
Dean Cardinale
CEO and Executive Director
World Wide Trekking & Human Outreach Project
7404 S Union Park Avenue
Midvale, Utah 84047
801-943-0264
