Covid-19 Procedures 

 

What is Covid-19 and how is it spread?

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found mostly in animals. 

• the disease caused by the new coronavirus has been named COVID-19. 

• COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. 

• COVID-19 is a reportable disease and the local Medical Health Officer must be notified if there is an outbreak or suspicion of an outbreak. 

• Coronavirus is transmitted via liquid droplets when a person talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose, or throat if you are in close contact. 

• it can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough. It is recommended to cough or sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands regularly. 

What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

• The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and the common cold. These symptoms include cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. Additional symptoms may include muscle aches, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, chills, runny nose, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and/or loss of sense of smell or taste. 

• People infected with COVID-19 may experience little or no symptoms, with illness ranging from mild to severe. 

• Some people are more vulnerable to developing severe illness or complications from COVID-19, including older people and those with chronic health conditions. 

General Practices

• Maintain physical distancing when possible (2 meters/6 feet).
• Stay home if you feel unwell. Please with symptoms of cold, cough or fever should sled-isolate and contact their doctor is symptoms persist. 
• Practice good hygiene (hand washing, avoid touching face, respiratory etiquette, disinfect frequently touched surfaces). 
•  Keep hands clean and wash hands properly as follows: o Before touching eyes, nose and mouth if there is a need to do so. 
• After handling objects soiled by respiratory or other body secretions.
• After touching high contact surfaces or equipment, such as escalator handrails, elevator control panels or door handles.
• Cover nose and mouth with tissue paper while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.
• Ensure good ventilation.
• Maintain proper function of washrooms. 

At K3 Catski, the health and safety of our Staff and Guests is the highest priority.

 

As an organization that spends its time undertaking “Risk Assessment and Mitigation” COVID-19 falls into this area. This virus, and the control measures, and Health Authority regulations and requirements are ever evolving and quite dynamic, and as a result the procedures in this document are subject to review and change as required.

 

We have several areas of interest that are specific to our business, and to our operational procedures. These can be broken down more specifically into – Guest Transport (K3 Vehicles), Guest Transport (Snowcat), Staff Transport (K3 Vehicles), Staff Transport (Snowcat), Guest interactions – on hill activities, and Guest/Staff Interactions - within the Lodge.

 

Guest / Staff Transport within K3 Vehicles

 

Guests will be asked before being picked up for their trip, if they have tested positive for COVID 19, have any symptoms, or are feeling unwell. Any guest who answers YES to these questions will not be permitted to come ski with us.

 

K3 Catski reserves the right to deny access to any guest they believe is not complying with the procedures outlined here, or who exhibits any visible COVID-19 symptoms.  Abuse - physical and/or verbal of ANY K3 Staff will not be permitted, any concerns should be discussed with K3 management.

• Any Staff who are unwell/or have a positive test will NOT be permitted to come to work until deemed they are no longer a risk to others by a medical professional. 

• Masks WILL be required within the K3 Vehicles, for ALL guests and staff at ALL times. 

• If possible extra space or an extra seat will be left between guest, and/or the driver.

• The vehicles will be cleaned regularly with the appropriate cleaning methods, and will be sanitized at the start of each day by their driver. 

• There will be a supply of hand sanitizer and wipes for each vehicle. 

 

Guest / Staff Transport via Snowcat

 

• Guests will be asked to sit in the same designated spot each trip in the snowcat.

• Masks will be required for the duration of each trip in the snowcat for both staff and guests.

• Lunches will be pre- assigned. Lunch will take place out of the snowcat so the masks can be removed safely for eating.

• The snowcats will be sanitized/cleaned frequently, and especially at the beginning and end of each day.

• Coolers and radios will be sanitized as required.

• The windows can be opened and should be encouraged to provide a supply of fresh air in the cats, heaters in the passenger cabins have been replaced and upgraded to accommodate this.

• Hand sanitizer/wipes/Kleenex will be provided in the cats at all times.

• The Staff in the front of the cat (Driver/Guide/Tailgulde) will be required to wear a mask. The surfaces in the front of each cat will be sanitized as required.

 

Guest Interactions - (On hill activities)

 

• During any safety talks, avalanche practice, re-groups etc., guests will be spaced out to maintain physical distancing.

• Should 1st Aid be required – staff member(s) will wear a mask to provide additional protection.

• Masks are NOT required while skiing, but recommended.

• Guests will be spaced out at the pickup/drop off points to ensure physical distancing.

• The use of single layer face coverings (BUFFS etc.) will only be permitted while skiing, they are NOT a substitute for a proper mask that covers both moth and nose. This applies to staff and guests.

 

Guest / Staff interactions with the K3 Lodge

 

Our lodge is unique in that each guest has their own bedroom, and their own bathroom. This will help ensure they can maintain proper physical distancing and have access to proper hand washing stations. 

 

Each of the two staff have their own respective bedroom, and a staff bathroom, which will also help them maintain their own physical distancing and hand washing stations.

• There will be hand sanitizer and wipes at the front door, and within the lodge at various locations.

• Guests will be encouraged to maintain their 2 meter physical distancing within the “common areas” of the lodge i.e. lounge, dining area etc. If the 2 meters is unable to be maintained then the use of masks – by both staff and guests is encouraged.

• Proper food safety protocols will be followed to ensure that there is no risk from the food handling/storage/preparation.

• NO guests will be permitted in the kitchen area.

• Frequent cleaning/disinfection of high touch surfaces in the lodge will be implemented.

• ANY staff or guest who, during their stay, develops symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to quarantine in their own room, and to not interact with others. They will be asked to wear a mask, and will be transported to medical care. The local Healthy Authority will be notified as well.

• Signage will be installed to remind guests to maintain their 2-meter physical distance while in the lodge.

• Guests will be encouraged to dress at “staggered” times, to provide more distance within the locker room.

• Food will be served by K3 staff, and with individual portions i.e. no buffet or a la carte/platter type serving.
  
  

These procedures will be subject to review, and adapted as required to meet new information and health protocols.

 

Appendix

Proper Hand Washing Techniques

 

Step 1: Wet hands with running water 

Step 2: Apply enough soap to cover wet hands 

Step 3: Scrub all surfaces of the hands – including back of hands, between fingers and under nails – for at least 20 seconds. 

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with running water 

Step 5: Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel 

Step 6: Use towel to turn off the faucet

Mask Use

• Masks should be non-medical (non N95)

• Masks must cover both the nose and mouth to fit properly and effectively

• Once your mask is on – try to not touch it, or lower/raise it unnecessarily 

• If the mask is re-usable it should be laundered before it’s next use.

• If the mask is disposable – ensure that it is safely and properly discarded in the appropriate trashcan.

• BUFF’s are acceptable for wearing while skiing- but  are not an adequate replacement for a mask in either the Snowcat or the K3 Vehicle