The global Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world for all of us. Zaina Lodge continues to monitor and review this fluid situation surrounding the pandemic to ensure minimal risk to our guests and staff. We adhere to the advice of the Ghana Health Service in conjunction with the World Health Organization authorities to prepare for operating Zaina Lodge in these challenging times.

Zaina Lodge staff have received detailed training on social distancing measures and safe interactions with our guests. We will be welcoming our guests with open hearts, but there will be no handshakes, social distancing guidelines will be adhered to, and strict luggage handling procedures are in place which our team will explain on arrival. On arrival at the lodge, every guest will have their temperature taken using a digital handheld thermometer.

The specific details of our Covid-19 measures are outlined below:

Staffing

• Zaina Lodge will be re-opened incrementally in 3 stages. The initial stage will involve only 12 rooms. As the customer demand grows, then all 25 rooms will be available online.
• All staff being recalled for re-opening have undergone Covid-19 testing and produced a negative lab result. This testing will be repeated monthly.
• Temperature of each staff member will be taken at beginning and end of each shift. Any staff member with elevated temperature and with any of the common symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent for checkup.

Sanitation and Disinfection

• The entire lodge has been fumigated and disinfected prior to re-opening.
• All staff are required to wear face masks at all times when on duty as required by current law.
• Food preparation and service areas will be sanitized 3 times a day prior to each meal service.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be operating at key points in the property and inside vehicles to provide hand sanitizer/antibacterial handwash in public areas and to ensure easy access for guests and staff.
• All guests will have their temperature taken on arrival and each time they visit the Central Facility.

Lodge Services

• The placement of tables and furniture in the Central Facility has been adjusted to allow forsafe social distancing practices.
• Guest rooms are generously set apart with approximately 6 metres distance offering safety and privacy.
• All meals will be plated service only. No buffets allowed at opening. As Zaina Lodge gains experience in handling the new reality, we will test timed entry of guests to minimize number of guests at meals, family-style sit-down for larger ‘bubbled’ groups and “served” buffet where Zaina Lodge staff handle all serving of food. These approaches will evolve as we gain experience under Covid-19 measures.
• Social distancing shall be enforced in all common areas and service areas.
• Each tent room will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised and sealed, ready for the next guest to check-in.
• Tent door handles will be sanitized twice each day when room is occupied by guests.
• Linens to be washed in antibacterial solutions at high temperature.
• Room ‘Cleaning Hot Spots,’ which are areas requiring additional cleaning, have been identified and will be checked by our managers regularly.
• The swimming pool will remain open and will be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Using the pool is at the guest's discretion and we ask that only one group of guests traveling together enter the pool at any given time.
• The gift shop will also remain open and only one group of guests who are traveling together may enter the shop at any one time, working with our staff to respect social distancing. Zaina Lodge will have small size hand sanitizers and face masks available in our gift shop for any guests needing to renew their personal items.
• No day visitors will be allowed to enter Zaina Lodge for any reason in order to minimize the risk of outside contamination to the property.

Safari Drives

• Zaina Lodge driving safaris are enjoyed in wild open spaces and all our guides have the highest level of health and safety training to ensure the guests’ safari experience remains the highlight of their visit.
• All safari vehicles will be cleaned and sanitised before each activity and kitted out with disinfectants and hand sanitisers.
• Not more than four (4) guests shall be allowed per safari vehicle. No guests will be permitted to sit in the front seat beside the driver/guide to reduce risk.
• Whenever possible safari vehicles will be restricted to individual guest parties. This will not be possible in the case of individual guests but in those cases then parties will practice social distancing in the vehicle by separating by seating rows.
• Safari vehicle door handles shall be sanitized before and after each safari drive.
• No breakfast meals will be served during safari drives.

Emergency Response

• Our staff are trained in dealing with emergencies. If there is a suspected case of Covid-19, the guest or staff member will be immediately quarantined and monitored. In the event that a guest evacuation is required, this will be arranged in liaison with the guest at the guest’s expense if their insurance does not cover it.
• Zaina Lodge is located 20 km from the Damongo District Hospital and we have a doctor on call.

This pandemic has changed all of us but there is still a wilderness waiting to be explored and we genuinely can’t wait to share it with you our valued guests.