This week’s top comment was posted under an article about tourism businesses and the liabilities associated with non-compliance to COVID-19 regulations.
In the article, Director of legal firm Martin and de Beer Inc, Stefan de Beer, said of businesses that struggle to implement all health and safety protocols: “Advise your clients that you will try as best you can to follow the protocols, but due to the nature of your operation – or the basis on which you normally operate – there are certain reasons why you won't be able to follow the protocols to the letter.”
He added that, if the client had been advised, it became part of an agreement, and if the client accepted the risks as explained to them, it meant both parties accepted the risk. This does not completely absolve the company of liability but it is a measure of protection.
Owner of Centre Stage Travel, Colin Fryer, shared his thoughts in the comments, stating that businesses could not afford not to be 100% compliant with COVID-19 protocols.T
“What will attract the international inbound back to southern Africa? COVID-19 has decimated vast swathes of worldwide travel and tourism business. Mindsets have been reset, decisions to party down on Camps Bay beaches, take a moment on an authentic African safari at Samara then absorb the magnificence of Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe) are up for consideration. Compliance with COVID prevention protocols must surely be non-negotiable? Stating that through 'the basis which we normally operate' we are not able to bring the full gambit of this protocol for your protection is somewhat disingenuous. Where an alternative African destination does fully comply, why would a prospective inbound risk their luck with this property or product?
Appreciate the complexities here, the real challenge being two hundred km from the nearest hand sanitiser producer, having additional expenses to bring the full compliance to bear… but hey, the reality of our future business, the essence of creating future contented guests or clients lies in their belief that we have their back, fully and without compromise of their best, very, very best welfare. We have the expertise, experience, destinations and utter uniqueness not found outside of our region and yet if we 'hide' behind some degree of self-preservation at the expense of our beloved and most welcome inbound, they will and maybe have found an alternative destination. We can do better,” said Fryer.
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