At Bill Peach Journeys our clients, staff and community safety is our number one priority and we want to ensure that we continue to maintain the highest standards of service and care.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the local, regional and outback communities we visit. The reactivation of touring activity plays a vital role in supporting these communities to return to normal – socially, culturally and economically. The resumption of touring will be a complex process. A careful process needs to be implemented to ensure the safety of our staff, clients, suppliers and the wider community. The timing of progression between levels may be influenced by any evidence of transmission issues within the local community or the tour group. Bill Peach Journeys has set about putting the appropriate planning in place to respond accordingly in the event of a suspected or confirmed case while on tour. We have also gained important industry and government accreditation to ensure that we are adhering to the many rules and regulations around operating a tour during COVID-19. These include being COVID Safe, COVID Ready and a COVID Clean business.

Below is an overview of some of the comprehensive steps we are taking to implement our enhanced protocols, which are subject to rigorous and ongoing reviews:

STAFF

Bill Peach Journeys has implemented a Coronavirus in the Workplace Policy, which outlines responsibilities of employers and employees to maintain safety in regards to COVID-19. The code of conduct should be signed by the employee and the employer separate from the contract of employment.
Bill Peach Journeys has provided all employees with a copy and an induction/briefing of the employer’s COVID Safe Policies and Procedure documents. We regularly remind employees of COVID Safe procedures.
Our General Manager Amanda Highfield will be responsible for managing complaints and/or grievances relating to breaches of the COVID Safe Policies and Procedures.
All staff including our Journey Directors, have completed a certified Infection Control Training.

GENERAL HYGIENE

All clients and staff will be required to fill in a COVID-19 Health & Safety Travel Declaration. This is to ensure no high risk passengers are permitted to commence the tour. Failure to do so, will result in you not being allowed to join the tour.
Guests who have travelled from, visited, or transited through any country/region listed as high risk by the governing bodies applicable to each destination within 14 days of their journey commencement, regardless of nationality, will not be allowed to join a tour.
We highly recommend that you download the COVIDSafe app for the safety of yourself, guests and staff.
All guests will be provided with BPJ COVID-19 Safe Care Package containing face masks, tissues, anti-bacterial wipes and alcohol based hand sanitiser.
The Journey Director will also carry a COVID-19 Kit, which will contain single use gloves, disinfectant spray, additional hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes, 2 x non-contact thermometers and additional face masks.
All clients will be advised of any changes to government restrictions and touring protocols at the beginning of each tour and also reminded each morning on tour. A document outlining these protocols will be given to clients at the airport on day one.
Check in process – whilst most of our tours do not involve a check in process there are occasions where clients have pre and post tour hotel and touring arrangements. Bill Peach Journeys will be providing pre-arrival communication to guests directly and via travel agent partners that will answer frequently asked questions and offer property-specific information, including what is being done about COVID-19 at the property where they are due to stay.
All clients will be told to immediately contact the Journey Director if any symptoms present for acute respiratory disease (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath) or a fever or history of fever.
Bill Peach Journeys will do daily morning temperature checks of the Touring Party (noting that normal temperature does not mean the staff or clients are COVID-19 negative).
All clients will be told to practise good hygiene such as: wearing a mask whilst on the coach/aircraft, regular handwashing with soap and water, hand sanitiser use, cover coughs and sneezes and avoid face touching.
On completion of the tour, all clients will be given a full list of times, dates and venues visited during the journey.

SUPPLIERS

All providers must be COVID-19 Safe
All providers must provide Bill Peach Journeys with a COVID-19 Plan

COACHES

All vehicles will be thoroughly washed and cleaned inside and out at the end of each day and include an anti-bacterial clean.
The coach company will provide antibacterial hand gel.
The Journey Director will provide additional antibacterial hand gel, face masks and single use gloves that will be available on board every vehicle for every guest.
All vehicles exterior and interior touch points will be sterilised prior to each group embarking and disembarking.
Microphone for tour guide must be wiped down with antiseptic wipe before and after every use.
No hand shaking between clients and coach drivers will be permitted.
Coach drivers will thoroughly clean their hands using alcohol based liquid gel.
Coach Driver will be required to wear a mask.
Coach companies are required to provide us with a seat plan.
Seat all passengers near a window (i.e. no centre seat/s). Unless a couple.
Open seats will be marked out by Bill Peach Journeys head rests.
Clients will be required to sit in the same seats every day.
Windows open where reasonably practicable.
If air-conditioning is on, set to bring external air into vehicle.
The coach driver will wear gloves to load / unload luggage.
Collect the details of all passengers to facilitate contact tracing if required.
All clients and staff to wear masks.
Where possible we will be providing larger coaches for all of our groups.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

All vehicles will be thoroughly washed and cleaned inside and out at the end of each day and include an anti-bacterial clean.
The transfer company will provide antibacterial hand gel.
All vehicles exterior and interior touch points will be sterilised prior to each group embarking and disembarking.
No hand shaking between clients and drivers will be permitted.
Drivers will thoroughly clean their hands using alcohol based liquid gel.
Drivers will be required to wear a mask.
Passengers will be required to wear a mask.
If air-conditioning is on, set to bring external air into vehicle.
The driver will wear gloves to load / unload luggage.
Collect the details of all passengers to facilitate contact tracing if required.

CHARTER AIRCRAFT

Pre-flight

Ensure Touring Party is supplied with masks, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.

On board

Journey Director will provide antibacterial hand gel, face masks and single use gloves that will be available on board every aircraft for every guest.
All aircraft exterior and interior touch points will be sterilised prior to each group boarding
All aircraft will be thoroughly cleaned inside at the end of each day and include an anti-bacterial clean.
No hand shaking between clients and pilots & crew will be permitted.
All catering on board the aircraft will be individually packaged
All drinks on board the aircraft will be single serve items.(ie in wine in a glass, cans of soft drink)
Pilots and crew (including ground staff) will wear gloves whilst handling luggage

COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT USED TO JOIN TOUR

Pre-flight

Where reasonably practicable, check-in online before airport arrival to minimise queuing at the airport.
Arrive at airport at recommended time to minimise time in the airport.
Adhere to additional relevant airport/airline COVID-19 Safe guidelines.
Limit contact with others by avoiding retail and food outlets, lounges and seating areas where reasonably practicable.
We strongly recommend that passengers wear a face mask on commercial aircraft.
Limit movement around the cabin and use hand sanitiser on return to seat.
Adhere to any additional relevant airline and airport procedures.
Disinfect own table, seatbelt and touch areas with disinfectant wipes.

CRUISES

All cruises will be thoroughly washed and cleaned inside and out at the end of each day and include an anti-bacterial clean.

The cruise company will provide antibacterial hand gel.
The Journey Director will provide antibacterial hand gel, face masks and single use gloves that will be available on board every vessel for every guest.
Gangplank handles and interior touch points will be sterilised prior to each group embarking and disembarking.
If available microphone for tour guide must be wiped down with antiseptic wipe before and after every use.
No hand shaking between clients and cruise staff will be permitted.
Collect the details of all passengers to facilitate contact tracing if required.

ACCOMMODATION

On arrival:

Operations to arrange group check-in at all times to avoid congestion. Guide to call ahead and have keys ready to distribute on coach or in an outdoor area.

During:

Adhere to any additional relevant hotel policies and procedures at all times.
Request no contact room service delivery method.
Al la carte breakfast or gourmet breakfast packs only.
Guests are advised to take all possible steps to avoid other hotel guests by minimising use of shared facilities and movement around common areas of the hotel.
Guests are recommended to clean key cards with disinfectant wipes upon receipt and disinfect high touch areas such as door handles, light switches and taps on entry and after housekeeping

RESTAURANTS/CATERING AT PRIVATE VENUES

On arrival:

Runner or Journey Director to check the restaurant is ready immediately for group and is following COVID-19 protocols. Clients to remain outside or on coach until the restaurant is COVID-19 Ready to receive the group.
Runner or Journey Director will provide the restaurant with a list of client/staff names and phone numbers to avoid scanning issues and delays being seated.
Restaurant to advise who their COVID-19 Officer is and make an introduction to the Journey Director.

During:

Where possible restaurant will provide single use menus with Bill Peach Journeys logo featured. If restaurant cannot print menu then we can do this from the office providing we have the correct menu.
Where possible there will be no share platters/buffets. If there are share platters a staff member must be the only one serving the clients. Clients are not to serve themselves.
Only 10 people per table.
Butter needs to be individual portions.
Salt & Pepper needs to be in individual packages or distributed by wait staff.
Wine & water cannot be left on a table and need to be distributed by wait staff
When handling breakfast or lunch boxes, we require staff to wear masks and gloves in its preparation and delivery.

TOUR GUIDES

If a step on guide comes on a coach, they must wear a mask which will be provided from the Journey Director COVID-19 Kit.

No hand shaking between clients and tour guides will be permitted.
They will keep at a safe distance (1.5m) from clients at all times.
Tour guides will thoroughly clean their hands using alcohol based liquid gel which has been provided by our Journey Director prior to talking with our groups.

MUSEUMS/GALLERIES/HISTORIC HOMES & GARDENS

On arrival Journey Director or Runner will give the venue a list of names and phone numbers of clients and staff. There will be no individual check-in.

Group will sanitise hands on arrival at venue.
Group will comply with social distancing guidelines of 1.5m.
Museum/Gallery guides must not shake hands with clients or Bill Peach Journeys staff.
Museum/Gallery guides must sanitise hands before taking group on tour.
All tickets must be given to the Journey Director rather than the individual client to avoid any additional contact.

COVID-19 Touring Procedures