Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Policy update

We are monitoring the situation with COVID-19 Coronavirus very carefully and we are following the official guidance from the FCO, ABTA and the UK Government to ensure that our clients and staff are as safe as possible. We want to ensure that our clients can continue to enjoy their holidays as seamlessly and safely as possible, and we will continue to deliver exceptional holidays to destinations which are confirmed as safe to travel by the authorities.

The government has a central webpage where all of the various COVID-19 updates and advice can be accessed. Please see here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

For information about the illness and symptoms visit nhs.uk/coronavirus

With the announcements today from authorities in Tirol and Vorarlberg in Austria, and canton Graubünden in Switzerland that, due to precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all ski resorts in these regions will close from this weekend for the rest of the season, we regret to announce Powder Byrne’s full service ski programme across affected resorts will close early this season on Sunday 15th March 2020.

Italy – FCO Change of Level of Advice 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has changed the level of advice for Italy in the Summary and Health sections – The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to Italy, due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and in line with various controls and restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities on 9 March.

Please see the relevant extracts below:

Summary section

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Italy, due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) and in line with various controls and restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities on 9 March.

British nationals remain able to depart Italy without restriction. Airports remain open throughout Italy. However, airline schedules are subject to change and some flights are being cancelled. Travellers are advised to check flight details with airlines.

Health section

Coronavirus

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to Italy, due to an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) and in line with various controls and restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities on 9 March.

British nationals remain able to depart Italy without restriction. Airports remain open throughout Italy. However, airline schedules are subject to change and some flights are being cancelled. Travellers are advised to check flight details with airlines.

Additional restrictions include the closure of museums, cultural institutions and the suspension of all public gatherings and sporting events. Religious ceremonies and funerals are suspended. Ski facilities are closed. Childcare facilities, schools and universities are closed until 3 April. Restaurants and bars remain open with restricted hours and reduced seating.

If you’re returning to the UK from Italy, consult the latest advice from the Department of Health and Social Care on actions to take.

You can find more information on measures on the Ministry of Health website (in Italian).

Call Italy’s 112 emergency number if you believe you have symptoms. English speaking operators are available.

You can find more information about cases in Italy on the TravelHealthPro country page.

On 22 February, the government of Italy introduced extraordinary measures that allow regions to implement civil protection measures in response to coronavirus, including the isolation of the towns above.

These measures were extended on 4 March to include school and university closures throughout Italy and the requirement that all sporting fixtures be played behind closed doors.

From 8 March the Italian authorities extended the area of isolation to cover the whole of the Lombardy region and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venezia (in Veneto).

You can find more information on measures on the Ministry of Health website (in Italian).

Call Italy’s 112 emergency number if you believe you have symptoms. English speaking operators are available.

Further information on coronavirus, including advice on preparing for foreign travel and helping reduce the spread of the virus, is available on the TravelHealthPro website.

You can find more information about cases in Italy on the TravelHealthPro country page.

To see the article in full, please click this link.

The UK Government has issued new guidance this morning as follows:
Anyone returning from northern Italy since the 19th February, defined as ‘north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini’ should self-isolate immediately should they begin to show any symptoms of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and follow the advice of Public Health England. Anyone who has visited or has returned from, since the 19th February,  any of the areas quarantined by the Italian authorities, should automatically self-isolate for 14 days, whether they show any symptoms or not.

This official advice is changing regularly and we will continue to provide the latest updates.

The FCO have updated their advice on the 13th February to include the following additional advice: All travellers regardless of their final destination, should follow sensible guidance to prepare for their trip and reduce risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus while this outbreak is on-going.

Check the impact this outbreak may have on your travel insurance coverage, including medical repatriation costs in case of ill health or any new restrictions on travel.

Be aware that there may be enhanced screening/monitoring at entry and exit ports.

For persons who are not ill, there is no evidence on the usefulness of facemasks as a general prevention measure. Public Health England recommends against using masks outside clinical settings. Should you decide to use a mask, you should ensure you continue to use all the recommended precautions in order to minimise the risk of transmission.

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We aim to provide clear and current information for our clients, as you will no doubt be concerned about the potential increased risks associated with international travel. The following information is based on the latest official guidance we receive and you will find links to relevant authorities for further reading.

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Powder Byrne is following the advice of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and ABTA and liaising with all relevant authorities to ensure the safety of all of our clients and staff members. We have noted that the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England have made an extension to the region defined as the ‘high risk coronavirus area’. This now covers mainland China, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Macau.

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Prior to travelling, we have asked all clients to inform Powder Byrne immediately if any member of a clients family or group has travelled to, or been in direct contact with anyone from a high risk coronavirus area within the last 14 days. We have made clients aware that if they have, it is their responsibility to pay close attention to their health and to report if they feel unwell or start to experience symptoms of Novel Coronavirus at any time.

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Powder Byrne have asked all staff members to sign a declaration to confirm that they have not visited or come into close contact with any one from ‘High Risk Coronavirus Area’ countries in the past 14 days.

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We are liaising with all of our hotel and ski school partners to ensure there is close communication and policies are in place in accordance with official local guidance. 

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Preventative Measures to reduce risk of exposure

Public Health England have a useful policy guideline we draw your attention to: www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-public-information-campaign-launched-across-the-uk.

Powder Byrne have implemented strict hand hygiene procedures in resort as preventative measures:

All Powder Byrne vehicles (including coaches and minibuses) departing from the airport will have hand sanitiser stations clearly marked.

All Powder Byrne children’s programmes will have hand sanitiser stations at sign-in/sign-out and available throughout and our staff will regularly ensure children are using it and practicing safe hand hygiene.

All Powder Byrne ski guides will have hand sanitiser available for clients to use and will regularly ensure clients are reminded to practice safe hand hygiene.

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Powder Byrne Children’s Illness Policy

Powder Byrne has a very clear policy in place for all of our programmes, which is designed to safeguard against any transmission of illness. This has been updated regularly over the past 35 winter seasons and is continually reviewed in light of any new public health guidelines.

If a child falls unwell whilst attending the crèche/children’s programme the parents/guardian will be contacted immediately and asked to collect the child

If the child is suffering from diarrhea or sickness they must be excluded from all children’s clubs for 24 hours after the last bout. 

Any child with a fever or with a temperature of 38 degrees or above must be withdrawn from the club immediately and be seen by a doctor before being readmitted.

On return to the children’s club the parent will be asked to sign a full disclaimer stating their child is fit and can partake in all the activities.

Powder Byrne reserves the right to refuse admission to a child if they feel they are not fit enough to join in the activities.  If the parent disagrees with this decision they would be required to get written confirmation from a doctor that the child is fit and well.

Each resort has a manual of common illnesses and ailments and recommended exclusion times.

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Powder Byrne Adult Programme Illness Policy

All adult guests are responsible for immediately making the Resort Manager or Ski Guide aware if they have a fever (defined as a temperature of 38 degrees or above).

Any adult presenting a fever will not be admitted to our group ski programmes and we will strongly advise that they see a doctor.

Anyone experiencing a cough combined with a fever and/or shortness of breath should self-isolate and seek medical advice as soon as possible. 

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It is important to note that we already have robust policies around our programmes based on best practice guidelines. Additional precautionary measures are designed to reassure our clients that we take our responsibilities seriously and the official advice is that there is an extremely low risk of exposure to novel coronavirus unless travelling to or in contact with people from the ‘high risk coronavirus area’.

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We will continue to update our policies as the situation develops and we are receiving the latest updates from all relevant authorities. If you need any further information or have specific questions not covered by this update then please contact us on enquiries@powderbyrne.com.