Actions to combat COVID-19 in tourist companies

• Autor(a) principal: Tonini, Hernanda
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Lavandoski, Joice, Dolci, Tissiane Schmidt, Scotton, Raquel Fronza
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: RELACult - Revista Latino-Americana de Estudos em Cultura e Sociedade
• Texto Completo: http://periodicos.claec.org/index.php/relacult/article/view/2184
• topic: Tourism companies; Protocols; Hygiene and safety; Pandemic; Covid-19; Empresas turísticas; Protocolos; Higiene y seguridad; Pandemia; Covid-19; Empreendimentos turísticos; Protocolos; Higiene e segurança; Pandemia; Covid-19; Enterprises touristique; Protocoles; Hygiène et sécurité; Pandémie; Covid-19

This study aims to make a diagnosis of the prevention and control initiatives adopted by tourist companies to face the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The methodology is exploratory and descriptive, using a collection of primary data, through an on-line questionnaire, to identify hygiene and safety actions, protocols, and procedures, in addition to the presence of people with symptoms or confirmed cases of COVID-19, from March to June 2020. The secondary data are from the Municipal Department of Tourism and Municipal Department of Health. The universe of the research is composed of 217 companies registered in the Tourist Business Registration Office of the Municipal Department of Tourism. The study sample involved 136 participants, mainly restaurants, wineries, lodging facilities, and 58% of the sample participate in the Clean and Safe Environment program. Among the main prevention and control actions, we highlight the availability of 70% alcohol gel, use of natural ventilation and reduction of the maximum service capacity. Some of the hygiene actions adopted are the frequently cleaning of environments and equipment, besides the cleaning of contact points. During the period, five participants (3%) identified the presence of visitors with COVID-19, and 10 (7%) identified employees or owners with symptoms. By way of tests, 19 people, including employees and owners, were confirmed with COVID-19. Along this time, none of them were hospitalized or died. The results demonstrate the need for adjustments in health and safety protocols in the tourist sector, aiming for the return of activities.