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Communicable Disease Prevention Plan

Since 2016, Kootenay Backcountry Guides has provided unforgettable backcountry adventures to guests from Canada, the U.S.A., and other countries.  We have had the privilege of sharing the mountains of B.C. with many amazing people, making life-long friends, and working with fantastic staff.  Now, more than ever, we appreciate all of you, our Kootenay Backcountry Guides crew.

We are taking all the necessary steps to be at the forefront of operating in a manner that adheres to all local, provincial, and national guidelines. We work closely with our associations and partners: The A.C.M.G, the C.A.A, the C.S.G.A, the Backcountry Lodge Association (BLBCA), Avalanche Canada, Whitewater Ski Resort, and other local businesses. For more information about travel to and from Canada, please visit www.travel.gc.ca.

Kootenay Backcountry Guides will follow all public health orders and guidelines as laid out by our provincial health officer. For up to date information, please go to https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/response

Preamble 

This guide provides information for guests and employees to follow ongoing measures to reduce the risk of infectious diseases and additional steps for an elevated risk of communicable diseases. A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic product that can be transmitted in a workplace from one person to another. Examples of communicable diseases that may circulate in a workplace include COVID-19, norovirus, and seasonal influenza. 

We are continually reviewing and updating our policies to make sure we are ready for you.  Any new information we receive will be passed along to guests and employees as soon as we get it and are posted on our website. Guests and employees will receive a thorough email with all your pre-trip or pre-course info a few weeks before your guided tour or course. Please ensure you review our Booking & Cancelation Policy.

Please refer to BC Centre for Disease Control website for up-to-date information on COVID-19 and other communicable diseases (http://covid-19.bccdc.ca/). Public health policies are updated at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/response

Travel to Canada

  • As of October 1, 2022, Canada, no longers require outside visitors to be vaccinated against COVID. 
  • Please visit the Government of Canada website for the latest information on travel to Canada, including the updated federal requirements and restrictions. 
  • Travelers are encouraged to reference Destination BC’s “Know Before You Go” page for information on the latest travel restrictions, what’s open, and more.

Proof of Vaccination & BC Vaccine Card

Kootenay Backcountry Guides does not require proof of vaccination to join any of our courses or trips. However, we are subject to government and health authority rules regarding vaccination requirements. Lodges and Transport Canada may require proof of vaccination to board helicopters or enter their lodges. We are not responsible for refunds to any participants who join a trip or course subject to vaccine mandates. Presently the B.C. government does not have any vaccine mandate for any services. This is subject to change as per the provincial health officer. 

For more information regarding a possible vaccination mandate in B.C., please visit here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html 

Communicable Disease Policies

Kootenay Backcountry Guides will follow all public health orders as laid out by the provinces where our trips and courses take place. These policies are subject to change. 

Environmental Hygiene:

  • Hand Sanitizer: 
    1. We recommend that all guides, instructors, clients, and students provide their own “Spray Pump Style” hand sanitizer and keep it on their person throughout the course and guided days.  

Personal Hygiene:

  • Conscious Self-Health Monitoring: 
    1. If any guides, instructors, clients, or students, at any time during the duration of courses and guided days, feel ill, they will report this to their Guide/Instructor/office (1-833-KBGUIDE (524-8433). They are then instructed to complete the BC HealthCheck and complete the self-assessment. You are to follow the recommendations. 

Rapid Testing 

Rapid testing is evolving at the moment. As of now, we do not require that students or guests will have to take a rapid test to go on a lodge trip.

All staff and students will be offered a rapid COVID-19 test whenever they need to assess themselves. 

  1. Anyone who happens to get sick while one of our lodge trips will be offered a rapid test. 

Individual Lodge Policies. 

  1. Kootenay Backcountry Guides rents lodges from private businesses. We are subject to and will follow their policies regarding infectious disease control.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES