CAPE TOWN- Robben Island Museum (RIM) has announced that tours will resume from Monday, however, tour capacity will be regulated and there will only be two tours a week- Mondays and Saturdays at 11:00.
Operations on the island have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown for the past six months. Museum Spokesperson, Morongoa Ramaboa, said that reopening will give them an opportunity to gradually come back stronger and rebuild the tourism industry.
“RIM is continuously sensitive of the issues both from a business operational perspective and also from a tourist/customer perspective and ensuring we find the right balance to both mitigate operational risk and in maintaining customer satisfaction; whilst prioritising the safety of staff and their livelihoods,” she said.
Tour capacity and frequency will be relooked and gradually increased based on the domestic demand and reopening of international travel.
Stringent health protocols will be followed during the tours, including:
- No person will be permitted to enter the premises or participate in a tour without wearing a mask
- Covid-19 screening and testing is conducted at the main entrance of all premises, and it is compulsory.
- Several Covid-19 procedures have been developed to mitigate the spread of the disease, including a screening and testing procedure for dealing with suspected, and confirmed cases.
- RIM has appointed a hygiene service company to decontaminate and disinfect all affected areas in an event of a confirmed Covid-19 case.
- Employees, including all operational staff, are receiving training on all health and hygiene procedures.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at various locations.
- Social distancing markings and other Covid-19 signage have been installed at various locations to remind people of the health and safety protocols.
- The ferries and vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected before, and after every tour.
Ramaboa said there will be a minimum social distancing requirement of 1.5 metres, and each ferry will carry a maximum of 70 percent of passengers, while buses will load 50 percent of its capacity. Tours will be divided into smaller groups of twenty-five upon arrival to the island.
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