Answers to Common COVID-19 Questions
As we’ve progressed further into our open rafting season, many of our rafting guests are asking similar questions regarding how we are handling our operation during the COVID-19 crisis.
We want to first assure everyone that while we have seen a drastic increase in business, both at our company in our community of Buena Vista, we are staying diligent in our cleaning duties, continue to wear masks and wash our hands regularly. We hope all visitors to our area do the same to keep everyone they come into contact with safe and healthy.
To help give you a bit of a heads up on what to expect, here are some answers to our most commonly asked COVID-19 questions:
Do we have to wear a mask?
Yes! However, only while in our office and in our shuttle vehicles. IT IS REQUIRED by our state (for ALL locations in Colorado), and any guest who feels they cannot adhere to this requirement may consider postponing their rafting adventure until next season. If you arrive for your trip and do not have a mask, you can purchase a bandana from our retail store for $4.00. Guests that do not have masks before trip departure will not be able to participate in their rafting trip and may not receive a refund.
Our family/friends would like our own boat. Is that possible?
We are currently allowed to run full capacity rafts of seven guests + one guide. If your group size is less than seven, it is likely you will have other guests you are not familiar with sharing a boat with you. With a reduced guide staff, we are doing our best to maximize boat loads. We offer private VIP rafts for groups of less than seven – call for pricing. We strongly recommend that if you are concerned about sharing space with others you are not familiar with, that you consider postponing your rafting adventure to next season.
Can I still go rafting if I am traveling from out of town?
Yes, however, we ask that if you are visiting us from a location with a high rates of COVID-19 cases, or if you or anyone in your group has been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case that you stay home and plan on visiting us next year instead. Additionally, if you feel you cannot be diligent enough during your travels by wearing a mask, minimizing contact with others, washing your hands and carrying hand sanitizer that we ask you to please stay home.
What are you doing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19?
Every one of our employees is required to wear a mask in our building when guests are present, guides wear a mask in the vehicles along with all guests, and everyone is required to use hand sanitizer (provided by Wilderness Aware) before entering the shuttle vehicle. We are sanitizing high contact surfaces at the front desk, including pens, and cleaning restrooms/changing rooms often. Our drivers and guide staff are sanitizing each vehicle between uses, and we are washing rental gear after each use (something we’ve always done!).
I’ve been rafting with Wilderness Aware before. Did you change anything about your trips?
We did not change anything in regards to trip times, river locations, or the actual rafting experience in response to COVID-19. We did make some changes to what we offer in regards to food, however. We are not able to offer continental breakfast, coffee and hot chocolate. We also changed our deli-style full day trip lunch to a selection of pre-made sandwiches (dietary restrictions and food allergies can be accommodated).
