10 MarPrecautions and Response to COVID-19 Virus
As COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus) continues to spread, we want to let you know that the health and safety of our staff and community is our first priority and to share some updates as well as our contingency plan.
None of our staff have been displaying symptoms concurrent with this virus, nor do we have any indication anyone on staff have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus.
However, since most of our staff are in contact with multiple people and dogs each day, and are often traveling on the subways, we are taking as many proactive actions as possible to prevent exposure at our school including:
- Thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces using Rescue wipes or spray after each session. This includes doorknobs, gate latches and countertops.
- Encouraging staff to disinfect keyboards, phones and other shared surfaces in the front desk area twice per day.
- Encouraging staff and clients to wash hands after every session/class. (Make sure to use soap and warm/hot water and lather for 20 seconds – that's about the time it takes to sing happy birthday twice!)
- In lieu of washing, you can also clean hands with a 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. We have a bottle at the front desk, one in the Yard area and one downstairs.
- Recommending that employees who have any symptoms of acute respiratory illness stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F or greater) and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
- Encouraging staff to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth when at work.
- Encouraging staff to work remotely instead of on-site whenever possible.
- Encouraging staff to check in with their in-home session clients to confirm they are healthy before showing up.
- Encouraging staff to stay home if someone in their household or someone they care for has is displaying any symptoms.
- Encouraging staff to please talk to their manager or director if they feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried. We're here for you!
More information regarding dogs and the spread of the virus:
- Dogs are fomites so if they are exposed to this virus, they can transmit it via their fur and/or their nasal cavity.
- More on how AVMA expects this virus could impact veterinary medicine here.
- Check out this free webinar with Veterinarian Dr. Lisa Lippman and Co-Founder Annie Grossman: What dog owners should know about corona virus
When it comes to our clients, we're implementing the following:
- Waiving private session and School Yard cancellation fees related to respiratory illness until further notice. If you have a fever and/or are displaying respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing/etc,) please let us know as soon as possible and we can offer you either a video session (in lieu of an in-home private session) or will reschedule your session without incurring the cancellation fee. For School Yard sessions, we will simply waive the cancellation fee but are unable to offer a makeup. This policy is in place until further notice.
- For all regular clients who have private sessions scheduled: we encourage you to consider switching your session over to a video session to minimize our staff's travel and exposure over the next few weeks when possible. Speak with your trainer to confirm this is appropriate. (In most cases, it will be!)
- For all new clients seeking one-on-one private session guidance: staff are encouraging them to book new sessions as video sessions if the concerns are related to issues happening in the home.
- Encouraging clients on site (or for in-homes) to wash hands after every session/class. We have 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizers on site as well.
- Encouraging clients to let us know if someone in their household or someone they care for is displaying symptoms. We will work with them on a plan so they don't have to leave the home.
