2021 OREGON COAST STEELHEAD LODGE COVID POLICY:
Well friends, 2020 hasn’t been easy but it’s been an adventure and we’ve learned many things along the way. We are very grateful to all our guests who joined us this summer in Alaska and helped make it a positive memorable year. We found some things that worked very well and we will be applying those to our Oregon Coast Steelhead Lodge 2021 Season.
1. Everyone has different approaches to risk tolerance-Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance
We understand it can be difficult to consider traveling during these uncertain times and we respect that position from our guests and friends. For those of you that are comfortable traveling we appreciate your continued support. We are highly encouraging guests to get a “cancel for any reason” travel insurance policy through our partners at Global Rescue. This year we had guests who had to cancel their Alaska trips and they were provided refunds based on Global Rescue’s policy. This provides you with extra protection when booking your trip and also helps protect us from last minute cancellations. We have a short season here on the Oregon Coast but look forward to making the most of it! We encourage you to reach out to us with any concerns or ways we could make your experience more comfortable. Please see below for more information.
2. Guests Testing Before Arrival
This year in Alaska it was a great success to have required testing for all those traveling into the state of Alaska. Not only did it give our small community confidence to welcome travelers, it gave everyone a feeling of ease at a time when we all needed it. It allowed us to lower our guard and share Bristol Bay with our guests until the end of the season.
We are requesting that all guests bring a negative PCR covid test that was taken within 72 hours of their arrival. This will help make sure everyone who stays in our lodge has not been exposed to the corona virus. Not only will this increase guest safety, it will give us a less likely chance of having to close down our operation mid-season if we are exposed to an active case. We will limit the number of guests in the house to no more than 6 at a time and again, all of these guests will have submitted a negative PCR test. During the season the guides will only be exposed to our guests and our chef who will all be regularly tested. All nonessential visitors are strictly prohibited.
Walgreens is now offering no cost testing in most large cities as well as Rite Aid.
3. Limiting our interactions with the public
As many of you know, we get up, go fishing, return home to a gourmet dinner, and repeat almost every day of the Oregon Coast Steelhead season. So we’ve never really had much interaction with the public, (besides Kate’s addiction to Buttercup ice cream and chowders in Nehalem). We will commit to maintaining limited interaction with the public and although our chef will need to go to small markets to get fresh food they will follow social distancing protocols and will wear a mask whenever in public. The chef will limit trips to the store and we are actively working to have delivery services for most items. Kitchen items including utensils, pots and pans, and dishes will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between use. As usual, all water bottles and lunch items will be sanitized on a daily basis.
2021 COVID POLICY CONT’D:
DAILY CLEANING SERVICES
Our housekeeping service is a one man show and will wear a mask while in the house cleaning each day. We will also have a hand sanitizer dispenser set up at all house entry points and require anyone who enters to use it. All towels and bed linens will be washed at high temperatures and cleaned according to CDC guidelines. Communal items and commonly used surfaces such as music tablets, kitchen and living room table, and any other supplies will be disinfected daily.
THE HARD LINE
If any staff member or guests shows symptoms or feels ill, they will quarantine themselves immediately. If anyone refuses to follow the above protocol they will be asked to leave.
25% DEPOSIT
For future 2020 and 2021 trips that are booked now through December 31, 2020, a 25% trip deposit is all that’s required to save your dates and make a reservation, instead of the traditional 50% deposit.
FINAL TRIP PAYMENT
Final trip payment will be due 30 days from the start of the trip, instead of the traditional 90 days.
CANCEL FOR ANY REASON INSURANCE WITH GLOBAL RESCUE
We have partnered with Global Rescue to ensure that your trips are covered for any reason. As soon as you pay your deposit, you have twenty days to buy this insurance which refunds 75% of your total trip cost. We will personally work with you to refund the remaining 25% either as a credit for a future trip or direct payment on a case by case basis.
COVID CANCELLATIONS
For trips we have to cancel for Covid-19-related reasons, we will offer a full, 100% trip credit valid for one year from the original trip dates, based on availability. This could be due to a Frigate Travel staff member contracting Covid or a state or local shutdown that does not allow us to operate.