COVID-19 GUEST OPERATIONS PLAN

Communicating Increased Risks, Procedures, and Responsibilities of Guests

Guests will receive a copy of this operations plan by email. Only guests who reserved their adventure prior to April 30, 2020 or already transferred to 2021 from the 2020 season will be given the option to rebook their trip to later in 2021 or 2022. They will also be given the option to cancel with a refund less a $75 per person processing fee. Guests who booked after April 30, 2020, will be subject to AzRA cancellation policies updated on that date.  

Guests receive an email detailing the above options. Guests will also receive an email detailing our COVID operations plan for the 2021 season.

Guests will be asked to continue to comply with CDC guidelines to the extent they are able. While they may not be able to physically distance, we ask that they continue to wash hands, avoid touching their face, and comply with other guidelines, linked here. In addition, we ask that they clearly communicate with other trip participants regarding maintaining physical distance to the extent possible. Guests will also be given the opportunity to disinfect their equipment and personal space on at least a daily basis.   Guests who violate protocols or hygiene practices are subject to removal from the trip.

Staff Training

Sleep gear and life jackets:

Sleeping bags, sleeping liners, and life jackets are professionally laundered to hospitality standards between every trip. Lower half trip participants receive a fresh set of sleep equipment.

Tent bags, blue personal bags, white personal bags, and white sleeping pads are cleaned with disinfectant on the outside and inside between trips.

Kitchen gear:

Commissary boxes (containing kitchen equipment such as pots and bowls) and utensil boxes are emptied. The contents of the boxes are run through a professional dish sanitizer (a Hobart). The boxes themselves, as well as other kitchen equipment such as fire pans, tables, coolers, and food boxes, are power-washed with 140+ degree water and disinfecting chemicals.

Toilets 

Toilets are picked up, emptied, and cleaned by a professional service provider. Toilet hardware, such as seats, seat boxes, and handwash systems, is power washed with 140+ degree water and disinfected.

Employees and Guest Pre-Screening

We will pre-screen three times prior to the trip. Our primary method of pre-screening will be self-screening, which we will complete three times prior to launching: at 14 days prior to the trip start date, at 3 days prior to the trip start date, and immediately prior to the pre-trip orientation (the night prior to the trip start date). Guests will be informed of the pre-screening procedures 14 days prior to their trip, reminded and screened again at least 3 days prior to their trip, and once again immediately prior to their pre-trip orientation

Participants at Higher Risk

The CDC has determined that “older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.” Those 65 and over, with chronic lung disease or asthma, with serious heart conditions, who are immunocompromised, who are obese, have diabetes, and have chronic kidney or liver disease are at high risk, “particularly if not well controlled.” We are asking individuals at higher risk to consult with their health care providers.

Temperature Check Immediately Prior to the Trip

Prior to entering the Pre-trip Orientation, all guests will be temperature checked by a member of the orientation staff. If their temperature exceeds 100.4 degrees, they will not be permitted to join the expedition.

Prior to entering the Pre-trip Risk Management Meeting, all guides will be temperature checked by a Manager on Duty or designee. If their temperature exceeds 100.4 degrees, they will not be permitted to join the expedition, and they will be advised to follow the CDC’s recommended steps and remain at home until they have met the conditions to discontinue home isolation as defined by the CDC.

All trip participants will also be asked to verify previous completion of self-screening.

Denial of Service

The pre-screening procedures will include COVID-19 symptoms as follows:

The CDC has determined that COVID-19

“symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.” If a trip participant tests positive for COVID-19 or reports experiencing any of the following symptoms in the 14 days prior to the trip launch, they will not be permitted to join the expedition, per the CDC guidelines. Symptom(s) include:

• A new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition,
• Shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition,
• A fever (defined as 100.4 or higher) and/or chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition,
• Muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another health condition or that may not have been caused by a specific activity such as exercise,
• A new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition, 
• New loss of taste or smell, or 
• Exposed to someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19.
• In addition, a smaller percentage of symptomatic cases have reported gastrointestinal (GI) responses.

Any trip participants experiencing any of the above symptoms or a temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be permitted to join the expedition. We will work with you to reschedule your trip to a later time.

If participants experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other GI challenges that cannot be attributed to another health condition, they will be advised to consult with a health care professional and denied service.

Employees testing positive for COVID-19 prior to a trip, experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during self-screening as described above, or having been exposed to a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time will be advised to follow the CDC’s recommended steps and remain at home until they have met the conditions to discontinue home isolation as defined by the CDC. :

• “Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control experts.”

Transportation

All personal belongings are removed from vehicles, and the vehicles are swept and cleaned. Bus and truck seats and other frequent touch points will be disinfected between shuttles.

During Shuttles

All trip participants will be required to wear face coverings during AzRA provided transportation, and they will be encouraged to physically distance with their traveling companions to the extent possible.

Physical Distancing

The combined operations of Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures do not believe physical distancing is possible on a Grand Canyon river trip, at the pre-trip orientation, during on-river orientations, during transportation, while administering direct first aid, and particularly on our rafts, given the lengths and capacities of our rafts, listed below. We will encourage distancing to the extent possible while on our river trips and for the duration that CDC recommends physical distancing.

Although we have acknowledged that we cannot maintain physical distancing to 6’ prior to the trip, during on-river orientations, while on the rafts, and at other times during a Grand Canyon raft adventure, we encourage trip participants to physically distance from those with whom they did not travel when they are able and to the extent they are able. This includes while in camp, while at attraction sites, and while hiking.

Physical distancing will be promoted in pre-trip communications, the pre-trip orientation, the Trip Leader Safety Orientation, with frequent employee reminders, and at specific sites such as hikes.

Physical Distancing & Code of Conduct

Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures communicate our Code of Conduct to guests upon making a reservation. In addition, it is in their online trip portfolio, on our website, and it will be referenced periodically before launch. With respect to COVID-19, it is important to recognize that different trip participants, both guest and crew, have different sensitivities regarding precautions. We ask that every trip participant communicate and respect these differing sensitivities.

Physical Distancing from Other Trips

Whether on the Lee’s Ferry ramp, at the trip takeout, or at attraction sites, Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures will be instructed to physically distance from all other groups to the extent possible. We believe that it will be possible the vast majority of the time; however, there may be times, such as on a narrow trail, where it is not feasible. We will instruct our guides to minimize exposure to other groups by bypassing congested attraction sites or taking other mitigation measures.

While at Lee’s Ferry, all trip participants will be asked to use the restroom facilities and water filling station only with other members of their trip. They will also be asked to wash their hands after using the restroom or water filling station.

Non-Motorized Rafts & Participant Positions

Rubberized oar rafts

• Length: 18’ or 18’4”
• Width: approximately 7 ½’
• Guide position (typical while in motion): center of the raft
• Guest & assistant position (typical while in motion): up to three in front; up to three in back (for a total max of five plus a guide)

Dories (we may opt not to include dories on some trips)

• Length: 18’
• Width: approximately 7 ½’
• Guide position (typical while in motion): center of the raft
• Guest & assistant position (typical while in motion): up to two in front; up to two in back

Rubberized paddle rafts (we may opt not to include paddle rafts on some trips)

• Length: 18’
• Width: approximately 7 ½’
• Guide position (typical while in motion): rear of raft
• Guest & assistant position (typical while in motion): three on right side; three on left side

Motorized Rafts & Participant Positions

Motor trip could have either J-rigs, S0rigs, or both. Rubberized “J-rigs”

• Length: 33′-37′
• Width: approximately 15’
• Guide position (typical while in motion):
  • Pilot (typical while in motion): motor well at rear of raft
  • Additional guide (typical while in motion): rear of raft
• Guest & assistant position (typical while in motion): approximately eight along each side
• Total capacity: fifteen guests and three crew=18 participants

Rubberized “S-Rigs”

• Length: 33’-37′
• Width: approximately 15’
• Guide positions (typical while in motion)
  • Pilot (typical while in motion): motor well at rear of raft
  • Additional guide (typical while in motion): rear of raft
• Guest & assistant position (typical while in motion): approximately six in rear (such as center section, allowing for pilot vision, etc.); approximately ten on bow (such as on front deck, along side tubes, etc.)
• Total capacity: fifteen guests and three crew=18 participants

On-River Screening

For the duration of trip, Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures will require all trip participants to self-screen daily. They will be reminded to check for the symptoms, above. If they experience the above symptoms, their temperature and oxygen saturation (as measured by a pulse oximeter, or “pulsox”) will be taken and isolation measures implemented as described below.

Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting

A staff member will be designated to monitor participant(s) and document signs and symptoms at least daily when a trip participant reports that they feel ill. They will check Emergency Warning Signs (see below) daily and advise person(s) to report immediately if experiencing any of those signs/symptoms, or report any worsening of other symptoms immediately.

We will report all On-River Illness to the National Park Service Office of Public Health and Grand Canyon National Park Service dispatch as quickly as possible.

Personal Precuations

All trip participants will be instructed take COVID prevention precautions to the extent possible as identified by the CDC.

Hand Washing

Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures have always emphasized the importance of hand washing; we will continue to do so, with increased frequency and including additional instructions. We will also ensure we set up at least one hand wash system immediately upon arrival to camp or attraction sites and leave it set up until immediately prior to departure.

At lunch and attraction sites, we will have at least one hand wash system set up, and employees will carry hand sanitizer.

At camp, we will have two to four hand wash systems set up, depending on the trip size and the specific layout of any given camp. We will at least have a handwash set up at each toilet and in the kitchen. If the boats are distant from the toilet and kitchen set ups, there may be an additional hand wash system located proximal to the boats.

We will instruct all trip participants to wash their hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds, especially after physical distancing challenges, or after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Face Covers

All trip participants will be required to bring a cloth face cover on their Grand Canyon raft trip. We will check to ensure that all guests have them at the pre-trip orientation; guests who do not have them will have the opportunity to purchase them. AzRA will provide face covers for employees who need them.

We encourage all trip participants to cover their mouths and noses to the extent possible when within 6 feet of those with whom they did not travel. There may be times when this is not advisable due to heat, exertion, or other extenuating circumstances.

When not wearing a face covering, participants are advised to cover coughs or sneezes by using the inside of the elbow and immediately wash their hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds or use hand sanitizer. Employees will have soap and/or hand sanitizer available.

On-River High Frequency Touch Points

Arizona Raft Adventures, Grand Canyon Discovery, and Grand Canyon Raft Adventures have identified an increased need for hand washing and disinfecting around high frequency touch points on-river. All trip participants will be required to wash their hands prior to and after contact with these high frequency touch points.  

There may be other high frequency touch points, such as camp games or musical instruments, that will be addressed on a trip by trip basis and led by the Trip Leader.

We will follow manufacturer recommendations regarding disinfecting their equipment when available.

Guests will be asked to assist with cleaning and disinfecting, particularly their personal camp gear.

We have worked with our Safety Committee (elected guide members and various management) to develop suggested procedures using CDC guidelines, and we will re-evaluate them throughout the season.

Food Protocols

Hand Hygiene and Kitchen Equipment

All trip participants will be asked to wash their hands before and after entering the kitchen or handling any kitchen equipment, including water jugs.

Food Pack

We will continue to follow all Food Manager and Coconino County Health regulations in the food room prior to and while packing the food. In addition, high frequency touch points will be cleaned and disinfected weekly. The touch points include door and cooler handles, dishwasher controls, scissors, writing utensils, box cutters, and more.  Food Room Staff and warehouse employees will wear masks while at work. Head cooks and motor guides will be required to don face coverings during the perishable food pack. Head cooks and motor guides will also be required to wear food service gloves when packing ready to eat foods such as the produce cooler.

Food Preparation 

Guests will not be permitted to assist in the kitchen, though those with allergies will still be encouraged to check ingredients for their allergen during meal preparation. All AzRA crew will be required to wear face coverings while in the kitchen whenever feasible. In addition, crew members will be required to wear food service gloves when handling ready to eat foods. All crew members will continue to follow the guidelines provided by their Food Manager or Food Handler training.

Food Service

Updated as of 5/24/21: We will resume our previous procedures of allowing guests to serve themselves both coffee/tea/juice in the morning, as well as all meals. It is imperative as we relax this procedure that proper face coverings be worn. It will not be acceptable to walk through the food line with your shirt over your face, a bunched up sarong up to your face, or anything other than the full coverage face covering we require you to bring on your adventure. 

Administering First Aid

AzRA crew members will be instructed to supervise self-administered (or traveling companion) first aid whenever possible.

When not possible, employees will use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate and feasible.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

AzRA crew members who determine CPR is necessary will be instructed to begin chest compressions after placing a surgical mask on the recipient and themselves while another crew member retrieves a bag valve mask (BVM) for rescue breathing. Rescue breathing will be given via BVM as soon as possible.

Isolation

We will undertake to isolate COVID-19 trip participants to the best of our ability:

1. When on a Classic Adventure or All-Paddle Adventure, we will isolate ill participant(s) to a separate raft, keep them separated from the group in camp and at attraction sites, and serve them directly when in camp and off the rafts (to avoid passing through kitchen and touching food and kitchen items).
2. When on a Motor Adventure, we will isolate ill participant(s) as well as possible on the raft. We’ll also keep them separated from the group in camp and at attraction sites and serve them directly when in camp and off the rafts.
3. Initiate further sanitation of raft in camp each day.
4. Increase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks as necessary and feasible for all trip participants.

Per the CDC guidelines isolation should occur;

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.

AzRA crew members who determine CPR is necessary will be instructed to begin chest compressions after placing a surgical mask on the recipient and themselves while another crew member retrieves a bag valve mask (BVM) for rescue breathing. Rescue breathing will be given via BVM as soon as possible.

Further Mitigation Measures

We will require trip participants with COVID-19 symptoms to wear a mask when within 6 feet of anyone for the duration of the trip, when it is safe and reasonably feasible to do so (known exceptions may include while in whitewater, and when temperatures are high and the mask represents a heat-illness hazard). We will also ask that they sleep in isolation and provide the equipment to do so. We will take additional precautions around disinfecting the toilet immediately after sick participants use it. The river crew will take additional measures as appropriate.

AzRA crew members who determine CPR is necessary will be instructed to begin chest compressions after placing a surgical mask on the recipient and themselves while another crew member retrieves a bag valve mask (BVM) for rescue breathing. Rescue breathing will be given via BVM as soon as possible.

Tracing Procedures

We will require trip participants with COVID-19 symptoms to wear a mask when within 6 feet of anyone for the duration of the trip, when it is safe and reasonably feasible to do so (known exceptions may include while in whitewater, and when temperatures are high and the mask represents a heat-illness hazard). We will also ask that they sleep in isolation and provide the equipment to do so. We will take additional precautions around disinfecting the toilet immediately after sick participants use it. The river crew will take additional measures as appropriate.

In the event of COVID-19 illness on one of our trips, we will inform all associated parties who encountered the sick person(s).

Grand Canyon National Park Involvement

We will involve the National Park Service:

1. 1. We will report on river COVID-19 symptoms to the National Park Service Office of Public Health and Grand Canyon National Park dispatch as quickly as possible We will make every effort to contact Grand Canyon National Park to request an evacuation if a trip participant experiences the following.

   Emergency Warning Signs (and they are not attributable to something else, such as cold water submersion) as defined by the CDC:

   1. Trouble breathing,
   2. Persistent pain or pressure in chest,
   3. New confusion, 
   4. Inability to wake or stay awake, or
   5. Bluish lips or face.
   6. Grand Canyon National Park Service will decide whether to evacuate someone from a rafting trip or not. Although we will initiate the conversation, they will make the final decision.

   Evacuation may not be possible or feasible, and is ultimately at the discretion of the NPS.

In the event of COVID-19 illness on one of our trips, we will inform all associated parties who encountered the sick person(s).