COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
At Ora we value and welcome each member of the Ora family. The health and safety of both our members and staff is important to us, especially during this pandemic. This document provides pertinent information for our daily operations with the safety protocols we have put in place to keep everyone safe while on the Ora premises.
This document is an evolving work in progress that can and will be updated from time to time as required as safety guidelines change.
ACCESS CONTROL AND OCCUPANCY LIMITS
PERSONNEL
Ora will have the premises adequately staffed while the facility is open for business. Our front desk will be managed by one staff member and Personal Trainers will only attend the premises to train a scheduled client in a designated training area. The front reception desk will be equipped with a plexiglass shield to separate staff from members.
MEMBERS
Members must book access to our studio by using Ora’s scheduling app and they must finish the COVID-19 self-screening questions provided by Ora’s app upon booking their time. Access to our studio will only be granted to members that have booked a time and undergone the self-screening questions provided by Ora’s app.
Members will not be permitted to congregate inside the facility or the front desk. Members may phone in or email any questions or concerns to our front desk.
Members can book into our studio using Ora’s mobile app as well as sign themselves in using the same app, making the entire booking and check-in process contactless. Membership payments are processed through preauthorized payments so there is no need for in-person transactions.
As many doors as possible will be propped open to minimize contact on door handles and encourage airflow.
Social distancing is mandatory and supported by Ora with clear socially distant markings on our floors and sidewalks, indicating where each member should stand while inside and outside the facility. Ora will have designated training spaces for each member, ensuring at least 2.5 metres between members.
Members using our studio or attending personal training sessions – please arrive in your exercise clothing as the changerooms and lockers are unavailable. Members are to come prepared with their own towel for exercising and a full water bottle, as the facility’s water refilling stations will also be unavailable for use.
STUDIO CAPACITY AND OPERATIONS
Ora’s studio capacity is temporarily reduced to safely accommodate members and staff using the appropriate distancing. Ora is equipped with adequate cleaning solution and paper towel for cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning of equipment is to be done before and after it is used. Instructors will wear a mask and music volume will be kept to a reasonable level to prevent potential shouting. The maximum number of gym attendees has been pre-determined to comply with social distancing measures and are as follows:
- Gym – Limited to 10 to 11 members. Each member will be assigned to their own socially distant training space for the duration of their individual workout. Their training space will be appointed with the equipment to be used by the member during their workout. Each training space is marked off by tape on the floor and spaced a minimum of 2.5 meters between members. There will be no shared spaces or equipment.
There will be a 15-minute break scheduled between individual workouts to allow for proper sanitizing of all equipment, touchpoints, floors (where applicable) and the refilling of cleaning solutions as required. Spray sanitizer will be allowed to sit on equipment for 15 minutes between sessions.
PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS
We have designated socially distant training space for personal training to occur, that allows for a minimum of 2.5 meters of spacing between the client and any other member in the gym. The trainer will also practice social distancing measures while working with the client. Masks are mandatory for Personal Training staff during their sessions.
Personal Training sessions are 50 minutes in length and are scheduled a minimum of 10 minutes apart which allows for proper sanitizing of all equipment and surrounding area.
INFECTION CONTROL AND SAFETY
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING : in accordance with Ora’s Disinfection Policy # OH 0300
Ora has scheduled hourly touch-point sanitization for our gym. Additionally, all surfaces throughout the premises will be sanitized daily (workstations, computers, iPad screens, phones, office equipment, doorknobs, drawer pulls, light switches, restrooms, etc)
Along with daily staff cleaning assignments, the facility is cleaned nightly by competent janitorial staff to effectively clean floors, glass doors, touch points and properly dispose of garbage and waste. Ora has also employed the services of a professional cleaning company that specializes in COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection.
Cleaning & Sanitizing Procedure (done at the beginning and end of each individual workout)
- Members will use hand sanitizer as they enter the studio
- Members will clean all equipment they used before and after their workout with approved disinfectant
- Paper towels are discarded in the garbage bins
- Members will use hand sanitizer on the way out of the studio
Cleaning products and methods used are in accordance with the BC Centre for Disease Controls recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting in public settings. Ora uses Avmor EP66 Disinfectant for cleaning; we mix this solution according to the manufacturer’s specifications and routinely test it with test strips provided by the manufacturer to confirm accepted ratios for effective sanitization and safety of use.
HYGIENE : in accordance with Ora’s Hand Hygiene Policy # OH 0400:
Effective hand hygiene is mandatory for employees, staff are required to maintain an exemplary level of hand hygiene. An adequate supply of soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer are available for all personnel and members. Hand sanitizer stations are placed at entry points to the facility and at every door.
WEARING MASKS (PPE) : in accordance with Ora’s Control Measures Policy # OH 0500
All Ora staff are required to wear masks while on the premises and while interacting with each other and members. Members must wear masks while lined up outside, entering the studio and in all common areas except for inside their socially distant training space. Members must put on their mask to exit the studio.
HEALTH SCREENING : in accordance with Ora’s Control Measures Policy # OH 0500
Staff
All staff working in the studio have completed and signed a simple one-time health check declaration form that states that they agree not to come to work if:
- They have any symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath; or
- They have been in contact with COVID-19; or
- They have traveled recently and are currently subject to a 14-day period of self-isolation.
Additionally, all staff must perform a mandatory pre-shift COVID-19 self-screening. All instances of an employee reporting feeling unwell are logged for future reference if required for contact tracing purposes.
Members
Prior to entering our gym, members must complete the following COVID-19 Screening questions provided by our Ora app to book their time for attendance and enter our facility:
- Have you had a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? Including: Fever, Cough, Sore throat, Runny nose, Nasal congestion?
- Have you travelled outside of Canada or been in close contact with someone that has, within the past 14 days?
- Do you care for/or have contact with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19?
- Do you care for/or have contact with anyone who has had a fever or symptoms of COVID-19?
- Have you tested positive for COVID-19, are you currently awaiting results of a COVID-19 test?
- Have you attended any large events in the past 14 days for which you did not know the other attendees?
- Have you been instructed by Public Health to quarantine/isolate?
Members who answer ‘yes’ to any of the above questions will not be allowed entry to our studio. Signs posted at all entry points remind members that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 will be turned away. All staff have the right to refuse service to a member should they display signs of the illness.
SIGNAGE
ENTRY POINTS
Signage has been placed at all entry points to the premises to notify members that they must not enter if they have symptoms of COVID-19. COVID-19 symptoms are listed to advise each member that should any of these symptoms be exhibited, they will be refused entry.
THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY
Signs are posted throughout the facility to remind members of the two metre physical distancing requirements, enhanced sanitation procedures and any other instructions and limitations, as applicable. Handwashing protocols are posted in the restrooms and staff room.
MITIGATION PLAN AND PROTOCOLS
Comprehensive signage is posted throughout the facility describing Ora’s Safety Plan for operations during COVID-19. The information in this document is provided in easy-to-read signs accessible to all members throughout the facility.
Ora’s Safety Plan and Protocols have been communicated to our members well in advance via emails, on Ora’s website, and on our social media platforms, providing our members with ample information so that they arrive to our premises prepared and fully aware of our requirements during their attendance. Additionally, all our staff have been familiarized with Ora’s COVID-19 safety policies and workplace COVID-19 safety plan.