COVID-19 Park Protocols

Virunga National Park holds three taxa of great apes: Mountain Gorillas, Lowland Gorillas and Chimps.
Visitors travelling into Virunga have the possibility of coming into contact with two of these; Mountain
Gorillas and Chimps.

As is now apparent and had been suspected for a while, Great Apes can contract COVID-19. As a result
of this, we have put together the following requirements for all tourists wishing to visit Virunga National
Park.

The following procedures are in place for visitors who will encounter Mountain Gorillas and/or Chimps:

• All tourists must provide a certified negative PCR test for COVID 19 taken in the last
  three days or a COVID vaccination certificate.
• A rapid COVID-19 test prior to departure for Kibumba or Mikeno Lodge will be
  compulsory for all visitors and administered at Grande Barriere.
• On arrival at all locations and daily whilst they are in the park, visitors will have their
  temperature taken. If they have any symptoms of COVID 19 or stomach issues, they are
  requested to please inform the management.
• Visitors are asked to bring their own facemasks and hand sanitizer.
• Visitors will have to maintain social distancing during all treks and throughout their stay
  in the park.
• All rangers and trackers who will accompany clients on gorilla treks will have a rapid
  COVID-19 test every two weeks or will receive vaccines as soon as possible.
  COVID 19 testing for Departure.
• All visitors should be aware of the COVID 19 test requirements to leave DRC ahead of
  arrival
• PCR testing is available in Goma at Hopital General. There is a fast track line at a cost of
  $50.
• COVID 19 tests in DRC can take up to 48 hours to be processed. Depending on their
  requirements, visitors should anticipate their tests for before the departure to their
  lodge of choice, after their return from Nyiragongo or on the way to Tchegera

COVID-19 Procedures No.1, issued 11/02/21

•  In the case of a visitor testing positive for COVID-19 prior to their arrival, the visitor will
  receive a voucher valid for one year to the value of 100% of the sum paid, less visa fees
  (if applicable). They will have to reapply and pay for their visa when they wish to use
  their voucher.
• In the case of a visitor testing positive for COVID-19 prior to departure for Kibumba or
  Mikeno; they will be put into quarantine and follow the health protocols for DRC. They
  may visit the Park once they have finished quarantine and test negative for COVID-19 or
  can choose to receive a voucher valid for one year to the value of 100% of the sum paid,
  less visa fees (if applicable). They will have to reapply and pay for their visa when they
  wish to use their voucher.
•  In the case of a visitor postponing their visit due to extended quarantine times on return
  to their country of origin, a voucher will be given valid for one year to the value of 100%
  of the sum paid, less visa fees (if applicable)

COVID-19 Procedures No.1, issued 11/02/21

• Before each transfer, the driver should be observant and look for guests who are coughing, sneezing or
  looking feverish.
• If a sick guest is noticed the driver should approach the guest and suggest a consultation with the
  management.
• Guests will have the same driver throughout their time in Virunga.
• All vehicles will have at least one bottle of hand sanitizer as well as disinfectant.
• It is requested that all clients carry their own bottles of hand sanitizer to help hygiene.
• Before and after the transfers, all surfaces and objects must be cleaned with disinfectant – door
  handles; doors, seats, roll bars, arm rests; pouches behind the seats etc.
• The driver, rangers and guests must wear a face mask throughout the whole journey.
• Visiting guides and Tour Operators must follow the same protocols.

• All guests will have to have a rapid COVID-19 test prior to their departure from Goma as well as negative PCR test certificate. If the results are negative, they will be allowed to proceed on the trek.At the gorilla trek briefing, all guest will have their temperature taken and will be checked for coughing and sneezing. Facemasks are required to be worn during briefings.
• Before guests leave for a gorilla trek, all guests and rangers are requested to wash their hands.
• Before entering the forest, all guests will be requested to use hand sanitizer and put on new facemasks that will be provided.
• Whilst walking into the forest and before finding the gorillas, guests are requested to maintain a 1.5m distance between the next person in front or behind.
• Normal gorilla trek protocols will also apply with the exception that a facemask will not be allowed to be removed or lowered at any time during the gorilla trek.
• A 10m distance should always be maintained from the gorillas.

• During the briefing before the trek, all guests will have their temperatures taken and will be checked for coughing and sneezing.
• Facemasks are required to be worn during briefings by the guests and the rangers.
• Once the trek commences, all guests are requested to maintain a 1.5m distance between the person
  before or behind.
• COVID-19 Procedures No.1, issued 11/02/21
• At the top of the volcano, guests are requested to wear facemask or maintain a 1.5m social distancing.
  The same applies on the way down.

• Before visiting the center, the guests will have their temperatures taken and observed for coughs and
  sneezing.
• The guide will have a bottle of hand sanitizer with them at all times.
• Before entering the viewing area, the guests and guide will use hand sanitizer.
• All guides, caretakers and guests will wear a facemask throughout the visit.

The following guidelines have been drafted based on the World Health Organisations advisories on
handling a suspected COVID-19 case:

If a guest starts showing signs of:

• Coughing and sneezing
• Sore throat
• shortness of breath
• loss of sense of smell and/or taste
• a high fever

They will be escorted to their room and kept comfortable.

The following measures will then take place:

• Do not assume this is COVID-19, remain calm and supportive to the patient; but maintain social
  distancing measures and wear appropriate PPE at all times.
• Guests name, age, vital signs, temperature, their nationality, where they have been travelling to
  recently and if they have been in contact with a known COVID-19 patient; should be noted.
• The manager is to inform the Virunga Welfare Department immediately.
• In the event that the guest is suspected to have COVID 19, the clients will be requested to self isolate in their room.
• The manager is to provide them with food, drink and medication (as prescribed by the health
  officials), with as little contact as possible, by placing the food and drink outside the rooms and
  then stepping away so the patient can take the food.
• In the case of a possible positive COVID 19 patient, a doctor will be sent to the location to do the
  testing. If the result is positive the patient will be moved to Goma to the appropriate medical
  facility.
• Elderly staff or those with weakened immune systems should not be involved in assisting the
  patient.

All guests must have valid medical evacuation & health coverage whilst staying with us.

COVID-19 Procedures No.1, issued 11/02/21