COVID-19 Rules: Wearing a Face Mask is Required on a Safari in Uganda
Be Smart – Protect yourself and others, including Wildlife & Primates – Wear a Face Mask.
COVID-19-Protection: Wearing a Face Mask is required on a Safari in Uganda: Wearing a quality 3-layer Face or Surgical Mask is now mandatory on a Safari in Uganda. They have become part of the new Safari Reality in Uganda. They not only protect you but fellow travelers and Ugandans that you encounter. They also protect animals, especially Primates such as the endangered Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys.
Mountain Gorillas share 98.4% and Chimpanzees 99.8% of our DNA. The second most common cause of death is an infectious disease such as a common cold virus, or in 2020 the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Such infections can kill the endangered Mountains Gorillas. The Corona Virus’ potential could have staggering effects on the Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees’ population in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo.
A simple Sneeze by a Gorilla Trekker during their encounter with the forest’s gentle giants can travel seven meters. Mountain Gorillas do not have immunity to viruses, such as the common cold, flu, or the Corona Virus.
Great Apes such as Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees are quite susceptible to human infectious diseases, including respiratory infections responsible for 20% of sudden deaths in gorillas and Chimpanzees.
Please Note: The 20% death rate is before the Covid-19 outbreak. Preventative measures such as the wearing of a Facial Covering are of the utmost importance.
COVID-19 Protection: Wearing a Face Mask is required on a Safari in Uganda. It is not only required. It is the right gear for all-around protection for man and ape. It is also a part of the Standard Operating Procedures in Post-COVID on a Safari.
COVID-19-Protection: Wearing a Facemask is required on a Safari in Uganda
Uganda Wildlife Authority Guidelines about the use of Face Masks on a Safari
COVID-19-Protection: Wearing a Facemask is required on a Safari in Uganda:
Wearing a face mask on a Safari is
a requirement during Post-COVID-19 Times. It protects you and others. The Mask is the mandatory gear on primate treks in Uganda. The masks protect primates from human respiratory diseases that humans can pass to them when close—one reason for the now ten-meter distance Rule.
The Masks, if properly worn, will protect the endangered Primates as they help block the transmission of microorganisms such as droplets, sprays, splatters, and splashes. The mask also reduces the likelihood of hand-to-face contact. It is required that all those visiting primates wear masks to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory diseases to Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Golden Monkeys, and other primates.
Many of us find masks cumbersome. They are, however, the best protection for you, others, and the closely related primates. A three-layer mask is made up of the outer layer that repels body-fluids. The center layer that filters out pathogens. The inner, closest to your skin, absorbs the moisture and sweat from exhaled air providing three-fold protection. Please do not use the cloth type without the other layers.
How to put on and take on your Face Mask:
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use a liberal portion of alcohol-based hand
sanitizer. - Examine the mask for defects such as tears or broken loops.
- Hold it by both ear loops and place one loop over each ear. Most masks in Uganda are the ear lobe type.
- Mold it to the shape of your nose, chin, and face. Be sure that the mask fits you and fully covers
- Pull the bottom over your mouth and chin and ensure the mask fully, chin, mouth, and nose, and fits snugly.
- Please do not touch your face or mask once that it is in position.
- Should it get soiled or damp, replace it with a spare one that you have with you.
Do not do the following:
- Touch the mask once it is secured on your face as it might have harmful pathogens on it.
- Pull the mask down to free your nose.
- Dangle the mask from one ear.
- Hang the mask around your neck like a necklace
- Crisscross the ties of the mask.
- Reuse a single-use mask.
- If you have to touch your face, sanitize or wash your hands first.
Removing your Face Mask:
- Before removing the mask, wash your hands well or use a hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching the mask itself as it could be contaminated. Hold it by the loops,
ties, or bands only. - Carefully remove the mask, removing one loop at a time.
- Hold the mask by the loops, place it in a bag, and throw it in a designated disposal bin.
- After removing the mask, wash your hands thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
The proper Disposal of used masks:
Protective FacialMasks are medical wastes and should be treated as such. Different germs can survive on a
used mask for different periods. Used masks should not be thrown away indiscriminately but only in designated disposal containers.
Disposed masks can pose a potential health hazard to people who come in contact with such masks. Also, some people can attempt to recycle them and resell them.
COVID-19-Protection: Wearing a Face Mask is required on a Safari in Uganda – Our Take:
Wearing a Face Mask is required on a Safari: Various surveys have shown that most primate trekkers would gladly don protective masks. We feel that this is not about the Gorilla Trekker but the protection of the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
Though one thinks of the tourists’ comfort, the concern is also with the primates and Wildlife. The aim is to protect both you and them.
If a human, not wearing a protective face mask, spread the coronavirus to the gorilla population of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park, the results would be disastrous.
Yes, it would not enhance those selfies with the gorillas, but the gain of gorilla protection is more significant.
We provide you with Facial Masks and hand sanitizer while on a Safari with us in Uganda.
