Covid-19 Policy
Purpose
This policy gives a current overview of the risk mitigation strategies put in place by Hike & Seek to manage COVID-19 known as Novel Coronavirus, and the impact it has on the workforce and parties interacting with the business and the business itself.
As the situation is evolving constantly, this document remains live and will continue to be updated as new information comes to hand with strategies put in place.
Application
This policy applies to all employees and parties of Hike & Seek’s services.If you have any questions or concerns about compliance with the policy in relation to any of the content mentioned, we ask that you speak with management info@hikeandseek.com.au
What is COVID-19
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. This strain became known as COVID-19.
COVID-19 can be transmitted from human to human.
Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, flu like symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, headaches and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Most people who are infected experience mild to moderate symptoms from which they fully recover. However, some people develop more serious illness with pneumonia and other complications. People at increased risk of serious illness include the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart and lung disease) or a weakened immune system.
Commitments by Hike & Seek
Provision of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, tissues and cleaning supplies.
Provision of facemasks that are optional to wear Keeping the workplace clean and hygienic. Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces such as door handles and workstations helps prevent contamination.
Ensure employees who display symptoms self-isolate until they are recovered.
If someone becomes ill with respiratory symptoms at work, initiate Risk Mitigation Controls as per section 8 of this document If a worker is confirmed to have COVID-19, inform co-workers about possible exposure to COVID-19 but maintain confidentiality. Advise workers to seek immediate medical advice if they develop symptoms or are concerned about their health. Information will be passed onto other exposed parties, so that they too can be tested Provision of isolation guidelines (Australian Government publication) Provision of temperature monitoring devices and processes Develop and implement COVID-19 questionnaire process.
Employee and Participant Commitments
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing, dispose of tissues immediately after use and wash your hands or apply hand sanitiser.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
Stay home if you are unwell and report to management where possible
COVID-19 infection is believed to be at handFollow directions of management
Commit to social distancing
Pro-actively assist in implementation of COVID-19 mitigation plan and distribute important information where relevant
Risk Mitigation Controls & Planning
Any person experiencing fevers, flu like symptoms (cough, sore throat, fatigue) or shortness of breath must stay at home and contact management immediately.
The parties involved will immediately assist in an investigation to ascertain what areas (if any) of the business they had been in the days prior and who within the business they have had close contact with
If identified that the infected or potentially infected party was in contact with other members of the business, the facility must be quarantined, and a disinfection process commenced until a decision is made by management regarding the risk to others Information and guidance will be communicated to all parties of the branch / facility All employees will monitor their health for flu like symptoms – dependent on the risk-based decision making of management all parties may be required to isolate for 14 days If any other employees show symptoms, they must be subjected to the above points Development of COVID-19 electronic form for parties Confirmation of suppliers and client site specific COVID-19 management plans Advisement from cleaners regarding cleaning products used Breach of this Policy Failure to comply with any of the requirements of this policy is a serious threat to public health and as such will not be taken lightly. We request that you do everything within your powers to ensure safety of all parties involved in Hike and Seek.Review of this Policy
This policy will be subject to regular review and may be amended by Hike and Seek from time to time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.HOW IS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?
The coronavirus is most likely to spread from person-to-person through:
- Direct close contact with a person while they are infectious
- Close contact with a person with a confirmed infection who coughs or sneezes, or
- Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face. Most infections are only transmitted by people when they have symptoms. These can include fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness and shortness of breath
2.WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA AS SOMEONE WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS?
You are a casual contact if:
- You have had less than 15 minutes face-to-face contact in any setting with a confirmed case in the 24 hours period before the onset of their symptoms; or
- You have shared a closed space with a confirmed case for less than two hours in the 24 hours period before the onset of their symptoms. You must closely monitor your health and if you experience any symptoms you are advised to isolate yourself and contact the relevant helpline in your area or your usual doctor, who will liaise with public health authorities to care for you. Public health authorities may need to contact you for contact tracing purposes.
3.WHAT DO I DO IF I DEVELOP SYMPTOMS?
If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of leaving a country or region that is at high risk for COVID-19, or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment.
You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of coronavirus. You must remain isolated either in your home or a healthcare setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.
4.DO I NEED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE CLEARING ME TO PARTICIPATE?
No, if you do not have any symptoms there is no testing that can be done to predict whether or not you will become unwell. It is not possible to issue a ‘medical clearance certificate’ under these circumstances.
5.IF I AM WORRIED ABOUT HAVING COVID-19, CAN I ASK TO GET TESTED?
If you become unwell with these symptoms without travel you should contact the local helpline or contact your GP and discuss your symptoms. There are other illnesses such as Influenza that your GP may wish to test you for that can cause your symptoms. There is no need for you to be tested unless you develop fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath or other symptoms. We recommend that you do not participate in the Hike and Seek tours if this applies to you.
6.HOW CAN I PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE?
Protect yourself from coronavirus by washing your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; and try not to touch your face, including your eyes, nose or mouth. One way to become infected is to transfer the virus from a contaminated surface to your face or mouth by touching.
- Use an alcohol-based hand rub
- Practice good respiratory hygiene
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
- Cough into your elbow
- Dispose of tissues
- Wash your hands with soap afterwards