Ettrick Rocks Covid-19 Safe Plan
Ettrick Rocks has prepared this Covid-19 Safety Plan as a response to the existing health alert to managing the risks and implications associated with the virus and protecting the health and well-being of our guests, our staff, suppliers and all those contractors and other related parties that do business with us as well as the local community that we are proud to be a part of and is a key pillar of our success. This document explains the strategies and procedures that have been implemented towards avoiding contact with or minimising the spread of the virus coming from sources outside of our control. The procedures and action steps are in line with the directions put forward by both the Federal, State and Local Government Health authorities and are current as at the time of publishing this document.
1. Managing Risk – Guests
1.1 – Guest Declaration
It is important that guests arriving in King Island are free of the virus and as such it will be a requirement for prospective guests to confirm that they have not returned to Australia from overseas or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or been in a COVID-19 hotspot as defined by the Chief Health Officer within the last 14 days prior to arrival. Furthermore prospective guests are to confirm they have not had a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or other cold/flu-like symptoms in the last 72 hours and are otherwise well. A form will be sent to all guests to complete making this confirmation and returned to Ettrick Rocks Customer service through supplied email prior to arrival.
1.2 – Arriving in King Island
On arrival there may be a requirement by Airport biosecurity to have other forms completed and as such we request our guests to comply.
1.3 – Arriving at your self-contained Ettrick Rocks accommodation.
The health and wellbeing of our guests and staff is our highest priority and to ensure our guests feel safe we are monitoring daily developments from government authorities regarding best practice guidelines and supplementing this information to our already high standards into the training of our teams on proper Covid-19 cleaning procedures and making available required resources to combat the spread of the virus.
Our guests on arrival can expect in addition to complimentary products and rigorous cleaning of the facilities:
· Proper and Government approved signage towards Covid-19 hygiene procedures.
· New unopened hand sanitizer bottles to use and carry around when at the premises and when touring the island.
· Covid-19 approved facial masks for each guest. (Optional and use if directed by Chief Health Officer.)
· Complimentary new slippers for added hygiene to wear when inside the retreats. We discourage wearing shoes inside the retreats and recommend removing these to avoid shoe contact and soiling timber floors which can further spread germs.
1.4 – Procedure if a guest becomes ill or is suspected of having the virus.
Guests/employees who become ill with respiratory symptoms will be isolated. The Local Public Health officer or 000 must be contacted for the guest/employee to be tested and isolated until results are returned. A clinical decision will be made by the Local Public Health Unit as to where the ill person should be managed with consideration of reducing risk of geographical spread.
2. Managing risk – Staff
2.1 - Duty to our workers
The health and safety of our workers is paramount and foremost across all areas of our business and we must all play our part in protecting their health and those of their families and friends by eliminating the risk of exposure to Covid-19 as reasonably practicable. Ettrick Rocks adhere to the guidelines published by WorkSafe Tasmania and the principle Public Health authorities and are committed to training programs as well as appropriate check lists that ensure our staff are well versed in meeting the set requirements.
2.2 – Duty to our guests
There will be occasion for members of our team and third party contractors to interact with our guests, being at greeting them at the airport, providing a tour of the facility on arrival or if guests have booked tour guides. Social distancing protocols will be adhered to and appropriate personal protective equipment will be supplied and used as directed by the Health Authority during these encounters. Through honest completion and screening of declaration forms submitted by all those concerned in being free of the Covid-19 virus our guests can rest assured to an enjoyable and safe stay whilst at Ettrick Rocks.
2.2 - Cleaning and Hygiene
Ettrick Rocks’ cleaning regime is already at the highest standard and with Covid-19 it is crucial that we add another layer of protection to ensure that guests, staff and all those that interact with Ettrick Rocks are kept safe, are trained and kept informed on the management protocols to deal with the virus and the cleanliness and hygiene standards that are in compliance with the guidelines established by the Public Health authorities.
A schedule has been prepared to assist our staff for cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces our guests are likely to come in contact with. The guidelines established by Worksafe Tasmania are workable and easy to implement and Ettrick Rocks is committed to training and supplying the appropriate supplies and equipment necessary to carry out the recommended tasks. These procedures are further reinforced for both guests and staff by displaying posters and signs at the facility promoting good hygiene and hand washing practices.
2.3 – Procedure if a member of staff becomes ill or is suspected of having the virus.
Staff have been briefed on symptoms of COVID-19 and have been told to stay home if they are not feeling well.
If a staff member becomes unwell at work, a process is in place to isolate them and arrange for them to be sent home to receive medical attention.
Any staff member showing no symptoms but had contact with a known Covid-19 confirmed person have been directed to stay isolated in their home and must not attend work.
3. Managing risk – Suppliers and third party contractors
Suppliers and their employees and third party contractors prior to making deliveries or working on site at Ettrick Rocks are required to complete a signed declaration confirming their compliance with the safety guidelines as directed by the chief public Health Authority and that their employees and contractors have not recently returned to Australia from overseas or been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or been in a COVID-19 hotspot as defined by the Chief Health Officer within the last 14 days prior to delivering goods or contracted to work at Ettrick Rocks. Furthermore employees are to confirm they have not had a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or other cold/flu-like symptoms in the last 72 hours and are otherwise well.