Operating hikes under COVID-19 precautions

Additional precautions to avoid transmission of COVID-19 on hikes.

UPDATE 2023/12/21

We’ve simplified all this to:

  • Please stay home if you’ve got a fever and/or are coughing all over the place. (We won’t get mad if you cancel.)
  • Feel free to wear a mask if you’ve got the sniffles or a light cold but still feel up to hiking.
  • Also feel free to wear a mask on the bus, that’s all good with us.

The previous precautions below are left here for reference.

We ask that hikers agree to the following precautions as a condition of participation.

If our precautions don’t match your risk profile we ask that you do not join the hikes, and, as per our regular waiver, your participation is at your own risk.

Last updated 2023/01: simplified to match ‘updates in policy’.

One ‘Do Not’ and One ‘Must’

  • DO NOT participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of fever and/or have an elevated temperature, or have been in close contact with someone who was/is.
  • You MUST agree to the mitigation and prevention measures outlined here and that Beijing Hikers will not be held responsible if any participants become sick.

Mitigation and prevention measures

  • We would appreciate it if you wore a face mask on the bus, but it is not a requirement.
  • Please cover up sneezes and coughs and practice good hand and respiratory hygiene as per WHO guidelines.

General organisation and operation

  • Vehicles are disinfected before use.
  • A rubbish bin is available for disposal of face masks and tissues.
  • Local contacts are contacted for updates on access and the general situation in the area of the hike.
  • Ticketed areas, restaurants, and villages may require you to wear a face mask on entry.

WHO respiratory and hand hygiene guidelines

  • Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
    Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
  • Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
    Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
    Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
  • Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
    Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Page link: www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses