Planning To Reopen - Phase 3, Indoor Recreation Businesses, Part 2

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

Phase 3 of Governor Charlie Baker's administration's plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts for business is in effect. Strict rules are in place for the third phase of a four-phase economic reopening in Massachusetts. The following outlines the workplace safety standards pertaining to hygiene protocol, staffing and operation, and cleaning and disinfecting Indoor Recreation Businesses approved for reopening during Phase 3.

Approved indoor recreational business are:

• batting cages
• driving ranges
• go-carts
• bowling alleys
• rock–climbing walls

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

These standards are minimum requirements only and are not exclusive or exhaustive. The public health data for disease prevention upon which these guidelines are based can and does change frequently, it is the responsibility of each Indoor Recreational Business owner to stay abreast of any updates to these requirements.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Hygiene Protocols

It is the responsibility of approved indoor recreational activity business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Ensure access to handwashing facilities on site, including soap and running water, wherever possible and encourage frequent handwashing; alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol may be used as an alternative
2. Supply workers at workplace location with adequate cleaning products (e.g., sanitizer, disinfecting wipes)
3. Post visible signage throughout the site to remind workers of hygiene and safety protocols
4. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol should be made available at entrances, exits and throughout floor areas for both workers and customers
5. Avoid sharing equipment and supplies between workers
6. Disinfect shared equipment between uses by customers or workers
7. Prohibit any mutual touching of customer or worker equipment without sanitation between uses
8. Require that any equipment that cannot be disinfected between use to be removed from service for 24 hours before it can be used by another customer

Staffing and Operations

It is the responsibility of approved indoor recreational activity business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Provide training to workers on up-to-date safety information and precautions including hygiene and other measures aimed at reducing disease transmission, including: 
   1. Social distancing, hand-washing, proper use of face coverings
   2. Self-screening at home, including temperature and symptom checks
   3. Importance of not coming to work if ill
   4. When to seek medical attention if symptoms become severe
   5. Which underlying health conditions may make individuals more susceptible to contracting and suffering from a severe case of the virus 
2. Facilities must screen workers at each shift by ensuring the following:
   1. Worker is not experiencing any symptoms such as fever (100.0 and above) or chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, runny nose/congestion, new loss of taste or smell, or nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
   2. Worker has not had “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. “Close contact” means living in the same household as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, caring for a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, being within 6 feet of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more, or coming in direct contact with secretions (e.g., sharing utensils, being coughed on) from a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was symptomatic
   3. Worker has not been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by their doctor or a local public health official
   4. Workers who fail to meet the above criteria must be sent home
3. Adjust workplace hours and shifts (leverage working teams with different schedules or staggered arrival / departure) to minimize contact across workers and reduce congestion at entry point
4. Maintain a log of workers and visitors to support potential contact tracing (name, date, time, contact information)
5. Businesses are encouraged to offer exclusive hours or other accommodations for those in high risk populations as defined by the CDC
6. Workers who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) are encouraged to stay home
7. Limit worker movement to discrete work zones to minimize overlap where possible
8. Workers may not appear for work if feeling ill
9. Workers are strongly encouraged to self-identify symptoms or any close contact to a known or suspected COVID-19 case to the employer
10. Encourage workers who test positive for COVID-19, to disclose to the employer of the office for purposes of cleaning / disinfecting and contact tracing.
11. If the employer is notified of a positive case at the workplace, the employer shall notify the local Board of Health (LBOH) in the city or town where the workplace is located and assist the LBOH as reasonably requested to advise likely contacts to isolate and self-quarantine. Testing of other workers may be recommended consistent with guidance and / or at the request of the LBOH
12. Post notice to workers and customers of important health information and relevant safety measures as outlined in the Commonwealth’s Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplace
13. Businesses should maintain operating hours that allow for on-going off-hour sanitation and cleaning
14. Limit visitors and service providers on site; shipping and deliveries should be completed in designated areas
15. Stagger activity / event times / encourage reservations (such as for bowling lanes) to avoid congregation of customers in different groups and to allow for thorough cleaning of the activity space (e.g., seating areas or tables) before new customers arrive 
16. Encourage advanced reservations and digital ticketing where possible 
17. For group activities, do not combine persons or small groups with other non-related or nonassociated persons or small groups
18. Additional on-site amenities and services may only open and operate when those amenities or services would otherwise be authorized to operate under the Commonwealth’s Phased Reopening Plan and then must adhere to all sector-specific safety protocols, available on the Reopening Plan website, applicable to the amenity or service. Examples include:
    1. Restaurants: Must follow the latest restaurant guidelines
    2. Gift shops: Must follow the latest retail guidelines
    3. Pools: Must follow the latest pool guidelines  
    4. Arts and entertainment: Must follow the latest performance arts guidance
    5. Bars: Must remain closed until Phase 4

Cleaning and Disinfecting

It is the responsibility of approved indoor recreational activity business owners and staff to monitor customer entries and exits and limit occupancy at all times to the greater of the following:

1. Clean commonly touched surfaces in restrooms (e.g., toilet seats, doorknobs, stall handles, sinks, paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers) frequently and in accordance with CDC guidelines
2. Conduct frequent cleaning and disinfection of site (at least daily and more frequently if feasible)
3. Keep cleaning logs that include date, time, and scope of cleaning
4. Conduct frequent disinfecting of heavy transit areas and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, bathrooms, table tops, ticket counters, staff break rooms)
5. In event of a positive case, shut down site for a deep cleaning and disinfecting of the workplace in accordance with current CDC guidelines
6. Open windows and doors to increase air flow where possible
7. Disinfect all recreation equipment and other objects distributed to customers (e.g., golf putters, pool cues, etc.) immediately when returned after each use. Shared equipment provided to customers may not be re-distributed without first being disinfected according to CDC guidelines
8. Disposable wipes should be place next to each piece of equipment that cannot be returned to staff (e.g., pool tables, dart boards) for disinfecting. Customers are encouraged to wipe down equipment before and after use in addition to frequent disinfection by staff
9. If sanitation (or the monitoring thereof by employees) of any piece of equipment is not possible or practical, this equipment should be closed off

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA, Mass EEA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!