COVID-19 POLICY
COVID-19
This advice will be updated as the need arises
What Extraordinary Times! – 2019 to 2023 and wave upon wave keeps coming! – And we know that you’re all tired of the governance
Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays advises all guests to exercise maximum caution during this global story of our lifetime.
A story that we hope has reached its peak.
Australia’s International and domestic borders are Open
ARRIVAL / STAY REQUIREMENTS:
If you have Covid, if you have Covid like symptoms, OR if you are a Close Contact with someone who has Covid you must continue self isolation according to your State Government’s guidelines.
PRO CHOICE (And living with our choices):
We support everyone’s right to a free choice. If you have chosen to not get vaccinated, this is your personal right.
Under current Australian and Queensland Government rules, unvaccinated guests can holiday with us, however the following simple rules will apply.
- All guests travelling with an unvaccinated guest, along with the unvaccinated guest(s) must wear a face mask at the time of boarding, during the briefing and at the end of charter when coming back into Coral Sea Marina
- Access to some of the Privately owned Resorts / Islands may not be permitted in line with their policies. At this time some of the facilities on Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and Palm Bay Long Island are off-limits to unvaccinated guests. (This is not our directive, this is the directive of each private resort / island)
SAFETY:
Inline with Health Advice and for our guests safety, ALL of our staff, our contractors and our associates have been fully vaccinated.
FLIGHTS:
Flights in and out of the Whitsundays Coast Airport (Proserpine – PPP) are at normal levels.
All of the above information is based on best and current information provided to Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays from state and federal tourism authorities.
COVID BORDER CLOSURE GUARANTEE – RESCHEDULING PERMITTED:
All guests of Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays, regardless of the original terms of purchase, are still permitted to reschedule their holiday charter away from any government prescribed domestic travel shut down period – In other words, if your Australian State Borders is closed at the time of your confirmed charter, you are permitted to change your booking to another date.
Regardless of the original terms and conditions, (at the time of purchase), there will be NO Fees or Charges to make such changes to your holiday.
If you have paid our normal charter pricing for your holiday (our normal website RRP), and if the borders are closed at the time of your booking – You also have the choice of a full refund.
NOTE: If you have purchased your charter through a third party discount booking agency (such as Luxury Escapes, Travel Zoo, Whitsundays Yacht Charters) or directly through us at discounted pricing, then you are only permitted to reschedule your holiday charter (and only if borders are closed during the dates of your holiday charter)
To make changes, please contact your booking agent, or the team here at Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays on 1300 991 474 or via email at sailing@portlandroadswhitsundays.com.au
NOTE: Our Covid Guarantee covers all FORCED Border or Regional Closures.
It DOES NOT Cover unvaccinated guests who are not happy with the private island closures.
It DOES NOT cover guests who come down with Covid at the time of, or within 7 days of their charter.
For both of the above options, please make a claim against your own travel insurance
COVID-SAFE
We have an active COVID-SAFE Plan in place.
Our business is COVID-Clean certified!
All of our team; From our extraordinary turn-around teams to our briefers – Have downloaded the COVID-SAFE App and have sat the TAFE course in line with our COVID-SAFE Plan. Our cleaning regime has changed inline with regulations and much red-tape has been added to the process. To give our teams adequate time to fulfil the health guidelines, our Late Finish Option has been removed from your chartering options.
In line with the Australian Department of Health Guidelines
Our vessels have always been cleaned and disinfected during strict turn-arounds. Our turn-arounds have always exceeded even the new strict COVID-SAFE practices being enforced. We also supply each vessel with hand sanitiser / disinfectant in the galley and at the helm. We also provide appropriate cleaning solutions for all high touch surface areas. Standard personal hand cleaning units have also been installed in the galley (kitchen) and in each head (bathroom). Our vessels are surveyed to a maximum of 8 guests in 4 private cabins / bunk rooms – Social distancing at meal times can be considered on a case by case basis.
We urge anyone with FLU or COLD like symptoms to self-isolate and get tested for the health and well being of not only yourself, but of others around you. Our staff will not present at work if showing any signs, or a raised body temperature.
If you present at Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays with symptoms, you will be asked to self isolate and we will not allow you to board our beautiful vessels.
During this enforced global shut down, our team at Portland Roads – Sailing the Whitsundays have continued to support local Reef Restoration projects; and have continued to support the magnificent Master Reef Guide program, and all opportunities to work with the team at the Proserpine Indigenous Reference Group and our local Black Coffee movement:
We have missed you all and it is great seeing guests again.
It is such a blessing to have our guests back in Ngrao Sea Country
and throughout the Ngaro Islands of the Whitsundays.
Our Great Barrier Reef Marine Park home.