22 Jul 2020

Tour operators in Chobe have pleaded with the government to relax some of the recently introduced fuel regulations for them.

Speaking in a meeting in Kasane recently, the tour operators said that the P250 per vehicle ceiling and jerry cans being allowed only on Thursdays were detrimental to the tourism industry, which is already severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the operators, Mr Patrick Manengena of Puku Safaris said the P250 fuel was not enough to power a vehicle to and from the Chobe National Park. He further noted that fuel rationing was a disadvantage to those who operate boats, as they had to wait for Thursdays to purchase fuel using jerry cans.

Mr Mogomotsi Gaebepe of Pyrus Eagles called for unity among the tour operators and suggested that they come up with strategies to work together during and after the pandemic.

Mr Gaebepe said there was need for the operators to devise ways to revive the tourism industry post COVID-19.

Mr Stanza Molaodi of African Bush Lovers called on the Ministry of Health and Wellness to come up with protocols specific to the mobile safaris, because unlike the hospitality industry, they could not have holding rooms for customers and employees with COVID-19 signs.

Mr Peace Shamuka encouraged other tour operators to abide by the COVID-19 protocols for the businesses to keep running.

He also pleaded with them to ensure all their clients registered as the process was important for contact tracing.

Mr Kwereka Shamukuni commended the meeting organisers, saying it availed a platform for operators to raise their concerns and come up with suggestions on how their businesses could thrive, even during the COVID-19 era.

For his part, Mr Brett McDonald of Flame of Africa, who was one of the organisers of the meeting, thanked other operators for attending the meeting albeit, on short notice.

He said there was need for operators to familiarise themselves with the COVID-19 protocols and prepare themselves for the reopening of borders.

Earlier, a health education and promotion officer with the District Health Management Team (DHMT), Ms Dimpho Sebele encouraged the tour operators to maintain COVID-19 registers, to have holding rooms for customers and employees with flu-like symptoms and temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celsius. She said those who did not have holding rooms could contact the 16649 call centre and 997 to report suspicious cases.

Ms Sebele noted that the COVID-19 protocols required all premises to be cleaned frequently and advised the operators to ensure their cleaning staff had the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Chobe constituency senior administration officer, Mr Kaboyaone Sarefo assured the operators that he would take up their concerns with the area MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni, as the constituency office was one of the organisers of the meeting. ENDS