The “Clean and Safe” stamp, created by the Portuguese Tourism Board, is intended to distinguish tourist activities which are compliant with hygienic requirements for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and also other possible infections.
The stamp is free and optional and valid until the 30th of April 2022, implicating the implementation of an internal protocol to ensure the necessary hygiene measures to avoid risk of contamination and to preserve safe procedures in the tourist activities.
Vinondas 93, Lda., in compliance with the commitments arising from the adhesion to the “Clean and Safe” stamp, outlined its Internal Protocol establishing rules and procedures that aim to ensure hygienic and safety conditions while developing its entertaining marine activities, fulfilling all the recommendations of both DGS (Portuguese Directorate-General for Health) and the Portuguese Tourism Board. In this sense, this protocol promotes the safety of our customers, suppliers and employees, and reinforces everyone’s confidence in our operation.
1. Prevention procedures
1.1 - Information
1.1.1 - This protocol is publicly disclosed through the websites www.algarvewow.com and www.riaformosaboatours.com, being accessible to our customers, employees and suppliers.
1.1.2 - As there are no physical facilities other than the vessels and the courtesy minibus used to transport customers in the development of the companies’ Tourist Entertainment activities, the main procedures related with the prevention and control of infection by the coronavirus outbreak - Covid-19, to be adopted by customers, are labelled in a visible place on the referred vessels and on the courtesy minibus.
1.2 - Hygiene plan
1.2.1 - Hygiene or disinfection of the used means of transportation, after each activity, is according to the procedures related to each type of transport.
1.2.2 - Cleaning of the equipment used, after each activity, according to the rules related to each type of equipment.
1.2.3 - Washing at high temperatures (around 60ºC) of all clothing and other accessories used in the activities by employees and customers.
1.2.4 - Cleaning and sanitization is registered on a specific spreadsheet.
1.3 - Information and training for employees
1.3.1 - All employees received specific information/training on this protocol.
1.3.2. - All employees received specific information/training on how to comply with the basic precautions for the prevention and control of Covid-19 infection, namely:
a) How to proceed with hand hygiene - essentially using hand sanitizer solution, covering hands completely and rubbing them until they are dry. Whenever possible, hands should be washed with soap and water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds;
b) How to put the respiratory etiquette into practice - coughing or sneezing into the flexed forearm, or using tissue paper to cover mouth and nose during sneezing or coughing, which should be then thrown in the trash and hands should be washed or disinfected with hand sanitizer solution;
c) What social conduct to adopt - greetings must be verbal and there should be no physical approaches involving body contact (hugs, handshakes, kisses). Employees must keep their hair up, their nails short and excessive use of personal adornments is discouraged;
d) How to perform self-monitoring of symptoms (fever, cough and breathing difficulty);
e) How to comply with the guidelines on surface cleaning and laundry treatment.
1.3.4 – Establishing service schedules/shifts or screening employees, will occur whenever the number of employees serving the company allows it.
1.3.5 - Training for workers is registered in a specific spreadsheet.
1.4 - Information and Personal Protective Equipment
1.4.1 - All customers receive specific information about this protocol, prior to booking the service and through the company's public websites, at the time of the booking confirmation, via the confirmation email and when they are welcomed by the team, through an activity briefing and the respective hygiene and safety protocol to be complied with, namely:
a) Maintaining a safe distance between participants, in accordance with the recommendations of the General-Directorate for Health - DGS;
b) The use of a mask by employees and customers, whenever possible;
c) Disinfection of hands before the beginning of the activity and whenever there is disembarkation and new embarkation;
d) The maximum occupancy of the vessels used in the activities in accordance with the recommendations of the DGS;
e) The cleaning and hygiene of vessels and all the equipment used after each activity;
f) That all partners involved in providing the service have the Clean & Safe stamp;
g) The use of equipment on board is Individual and there is no sharing between customers.
1.4.2 - To ensure compliance with the mentioned requirements in the previous point, the company has:
a) Masks for employees and customers in sufficient number and for each activity;
b) Sufficient hand sanitizing gel for employees and customers on each activity;
c) Individual equipment such as binoculars, snorkeling masks, etc., in sufficient number for all those involved in the activities, so that there is no need for sharing;
d) Biodegradable hygiene products for vessels surfaces and equipment, which guarantees, while protecting the environment, the complete hygiene of microbiological agents.
1.5 - Implementation of security measures
1.5.1 – When reserving the service, by the agent or directly by the customer, a nominal list (name and surname) of all participants in the activity must be presented.
1.5.2 - The confirmation of the reservation by the company includes information on the security measures adopted, to which the participants must adhere;
1.5.3 - Procedures when boarding:
a) Mask placement;
b) Hand hygiene.
1.5.4 - The equipment used on-board will be delivered sanitized directly to each participant who must keep it in he´s individual sphere. The equipment may be returned at any time, directly to the employee who made the initial distribution.
2 - Procedures in case of suspected infection:
2.1 - The vessel's Captain is responsible for initiating the procedures in case of suspected infection, separating the individual from the rest of the group and contacting the National Health Service - SNS;
2.2 - The storage of waste produced by the person suspected of being infected is segregated and sent to an official licensed operator who manages hospital waste.
