Effect of preventive measures in the containment of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic: a comparative study

Abstract

From the time when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019, strict regulations are being implemented by policy makers to contain the spread of the virus. The measures taken in different countries spanned from complete isolation and lockdown to different degrees of restrictions to people's movement, contact between people, hygiene and sanitation. Accordingly, the success in containing the virus also differed. Italy was one among the worst-affected countries in the world despite the lockdown measures adopted. A combination of lockdown and Level-3 State of Emergency measures were adopted in Portugal and South Africa, which helped to delay and flatten the epidemic curve. The timely application of Level-3 State of Emergency in Mozambique resulted in recording low infection rates. Above all the tripod, orderly movement of people, social distance and hygiene and sanitation is the keystone measure to prevent spread of the virus. However, for successful outcome, the measures have to be tailored to the local context.

Impacts of COVID-19 on local tour guides

“…3 Face-to-face guided tours are reshaping. According to Hoguane et al (2021), these tours will be conducted with small groups, lower prices, and will be more personalized with a higher quality of service and with all the mandatory biosecurity measures. Guides want to return to face-to-face interaction despite what this entails.…”

“…Tour guiding is one of the areas of the tourism industry most affected by the COVID-19 health crisis (Alrawadieh, 2021). Guides are often left unsupported, with no access to financial aid from the government and no visibility (Hoguane et al, 2021). In essence, they have been completely overlooked by the tourism industry.…”

“…Local guides have not been able to work face-to-face for many months. First, the lockdown imposed by governments (Hoguane, Priya, Haddout, & Ljubenkov, 2021) left local guides without work. Second, in the post-lockdown period, when guides could restart face-toface guided tours, there was no influx of international visitors.…”

“…This means that guides have had to depend on financial aid from the government, but this has not been granted to all guides in equal measures, leaving many excluded (Pauner, 2020). In addition, guided tours are affected by bubble group restrictions, social distancing, hand washing and having to wear a face mask (Hoguane et al, 2021), which can obstruct essential aspects of their role as communicators.…”