A note from Bear Claw Lodge regarding COVID-19:
(updated October 27, 2021)
We are a product of our environment, defined not only by the mountains, rivers, forests and wildlife that shape our valley but in our relationship to the local community. We strive to do the best we can as environmental and social stewards for this spectacular piece of the world.
We shut operations down for more than a year to better understand the threats of Covid-19 to our guests, staff and community. Thanks to the input and leadership of the Provincial Health Office, policies enacted by the BC Government and conversations within our community, we opened our doors on July 1st, 2021. We have taken the last year to assemble COVID-19 policies and best practices that follow and exceed Northern Health guidelines and the public health authority’s directives.
Bear Claw Lodge’s Covid-19 Policy
Entry (into Canada) Requirements
Safety Plan
COVID-19 Policies and Practice
Operational Season: 2021
Team, Visitor, and Contractor Use
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS COMING TO BEAR CLAW (CANADA):
- Downloade the ARRIVECAN app on your mobile device! https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html
- Proof of negative PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding your international flight to Canada. Your test can not have been taken 73 hours before or you will be denied entry/boarding (all travellers aged 2 and up) must be uploaded to ArriveCAN
- Must provide a quarantine plan, regardless (https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada)
- If negative, continue on to your destination
- May be randomly selected for a “post-arrival” test at destination
- All travellers must still provide a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the Canadian border that they do not meet the necessary requirements.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS LEAVING BEAR CLAW (CANADA):
- Proof of negative PCR or antigen test 72 hours prior to departure (Check with your country).
- Travellers can get an antigen test at YVR via CVM’s rapid testing clinic ($129 + GST and 30 minutes for results)
- Travellers can get an antigen test at YYD on departure day. (Must book in advance)
Testing Services
- YVR with CVM Rapid Antigen Testing
- Antigen testing is all that is required for traveling to the US (except to Hawaii)
- Test costs $129 + GST and takes 30 minutes for results
- Can walk in but better to book your appointment days ahead of time
- Testing is available 7 days a week, 5 AM to 7:00 PM
- Can also do a PCR test at their clinic around 10 minutes from YVR but will cost $249 and take 36 hours for results
- Best to book your appointment days in advance
Accepted vaccines by Canada
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
Providing proof of your result
You must present an accepted test result (paper or electronic proof) which must include:
- Traveller name and date of birth
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was conducted
- The type of test conducted
- The test result
You must show proof of your test results even if you:
- have tested negative for COVID-19 previous to the 72 hour period
- have been vaccinated for COVID-19
- recovered from COVID-19 and no longer test positive
- recovered from COVID-19 and continue to test positive
Helpful contact numbers
- LifeLabs, private testing clinic: 1-877-313-4982
- US border patrol: 1-877-227-5511
Abstract:
This document outlines the essential protocol and practices that Bear Claw Ltd. Partnership will implement in the 2021 Operational Season.
Please note that this document is currently under construction and is being revised by BC’s Joint Health and Safety Committee. Updated versions of this document will be available here and will be posted, in complete form.
Bear Claw Ltd. Partnership Policies and Practices: COVID-19
1.0 Purpose
This document provides practical advice and guidelines to ensure safe operations, as Bear Claw Lodge prepares to welcome limited numbers of team members and guests back onsite during the Covid 19 Pandemic.
1.1 Operational Season
Specific protocols and procedures will be listed herein that describe the policies and practices that each team member, contractor, and guest are expected to adhere to while visiting Bear Claw property. We ask that each person please read through the following information and ensure that they are comfortable with the policies and the risks associated with visiting and living in an isolated, communal space. Your time at Bear Claw Lodge is in accordance with your 2021-2022 Employment Agreement/Employment Contract or the terms and conditions of your guest stay. The choice to travel to, work for and reside at Bear Claw Lodge lies with each individual. In choosing to work for or visit Bear Claw you agree to follow the following guidelines and acknowledge the risks associated with being on-site and living/visiting a remote, communal setting.
1.2 Public Health Directives
The Provincial Health Officer is the senior public health official for B.C., and is responsible for monitoring the health of the population across the province, and providing independent advice to the ministers and public officials on public health issues.
The responsibilities of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) are outlined in the Public Health Act and include the following:
- Provide independent advice to the ministers and public officials on public health issues
- Monitor the health of the population of B.C. and advice on public health issues and on the need for legislation, policies and practices
- Recommend actions to improve the health of the population of B.C.
- Deliver reports that are in the public interest on the health of the population and on government progress in achieving population health targets
- Establish standards of practices for and conduct performance reviews of Medical Health Officers
- Work with the B.C. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and B.C.’s Medical Health Officers across the province to fulfill their legislative mandates on disease control and health protection
1.3 WorkSafeBC Directives
(Workers Compensation Act/OHS Regulation Requirements)
WorkSafeBC helps businesses meet their obligations under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. WorkSafeBC is a provincial agency dedicated to promoting safe and healthy workplaces across B.C. They partner with workers and employers to prevent work-related injury, disease, and disability. Their services include education, prevention, compensation and support for injured workers, and no-fault insurance to protect employers and workers. All employers in British Columbia have an obligation under the Act to ensure the health and safety of workers and other parties at their workplace. With respect to COVID-19, that responsibility includes protecting workers by following the orders issued by the office of the Provincial Health Officer, guidance provided by the BC Centre for Disease Control and the latest news released from the government. In addition, employers must implement policies and procedures to protect workers from the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Employers should consider how best to communicate about potential exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace to workers. A system should be introduced whereby workers (including joint health and safety committee representatives and worker representatives) are able to inform management of concerns related to being exposed to COVID-19 in the workplace. Open communication is key to finding out about specific tasks that concern workers as well as gaining input on appropriate control measures to keep workers safe.
Workers should know and understand their workplace health and safety responsibilities, and those of others. Workers have three key rights:
- The right to know about hazards in the workplace
- The right to participate in health and safety activities in the workplace
- The right to refuse unsafe work
1.4 Right to refuse unsafe work
Workers in B.C. have the right to refuse work if they believe it presents and undue hazard. An undue hazard is an “unwarranted, inappropriate, excessive, or disproportionate” risk, above and beyond the potential exposure a general member of the public would face through regular, day-to-day activity. In these circumstances, the worker should follow some specific steps within their workplace to resolve the issue.
At Bear Claw Lodge, team members should practice the following steps if an issue were to arise surrounding work that the team member deemed to be ‘unsafe’ to complete:
- Report any undue hazard directly to management for investigation.
- Bear Claw will then consider the aforementioned issue on a case-by-case basis, and will work towards finding a suitable solution.
- If the matter is not resolved, the team member and the HR Manager must contact WorkSafeBC and a prevention officer will then investigate and take steps to find a workable solution for all involved.
If commencing work at Bear Claw Lodge, team members must:
- Read, complete, and submit the ‘Bear Claw’s Covid-19 Pre-Screening Questionnaire’ prior to arriving onsite. Detailed directions regarding the successful completion and submission of this document are found directly on said form. Bear Claw will ensure any individual who intends to arrive onsite has successfully completed this form prior to their arrival.
- Comply with Bear Claw Lodge’s Covid-19 policies and practices as outlined herein, as well as those outlined once onsite.
- Wash their hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer
- Wear a mask in all indoor and public spaces
- Take the necessary steps in order to minimize potential exposure and spread of Covid-19 while both off-site and on-site at Bear Claw.
- Have diligently adhered to all current Public Health Orders prior to arriving onsite.
1.5 Recognize Hazards/Assess Risks
Bear Claw Ltd. Partnership will regularly assess all potential hazards within its operations and will take the appropriate steps to eliminate or control such associated risks. This process is referred to as a risk assessment.
Within the tourism and hospitality industry, there are many routine situations where team members will have contact with guests, coworkers, shared living spaces and the physical environment itself (surfaces, doors, equipment etc.). These encounters could give rise to contact with COVID-19, if not controlled adequately. Bear Claw will do its best to consider all risks associated with the workplace and will take the appropriate steps to control them. Such controls will include adhering to current public health orders, if applicable, public health advice, as well as implementing best practices.
1.6 Exposure Control Monitoring
Bear Claw will undertake regular inspections of the workplace and remedy unsafe or harmful conditions without delay. With respect to potential COVID-19 exposures:
- Bear Claw will ensure that physical distancing is maintained wherever possible.
- Bear Claw will review work procedures to ensure appropriate prevention control measures are taken.
- Bear Claw will identify potential means of transmission on common surfaces and minimize worker contact with such surfaces while ensuring resort property and areas of surface contact are clean and sanitary.
- Bear Claw will stay informed of all public health orders, directions, and requirements, and will take appropriate action in the workplace to prevent the transmission Covid-19.
Covid-19 Operational Policies and Practices
1.7 Overview
Within this section, you will find an outline of best practices that Bear Claw Lodge will consider when implementing COVID-19 related controls in the workplace.
Bear Claw will work to ensure that it selects the best and most effective combination of the following safeguards in order to provide its team members, guests, surrounding communities and territories with the maximum amount of protections possible. These practices will be monitored on an ongoing basis, and will be improved upon as often as is necessary, in order to create the safest environment possible.
1.8 Hierarchy of Controls
Before delving deeply into the policies and practices that will be implemented in response to COVID-19, it is first important to understand the ‘Hierarchy of Control Methods’ that are used when creating safe and effective policies during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The hierarchy of controls (In order of their effectiveness): 1) Elimination or substitution:
Bear Claw will fully consider eliminating and/or postponing work tasks that may create an undue risk of exposure to COVID-19 for team members. Various operational processes will be adjusted to minimize contact between individuals. Operational Covid-19 policies and practices that will assist in this will be outlined herein, addressed onsite, and posted on signage throughout Bear Claw property. However, it is understood that each department will have unique tasks that will need to be adjusted, eliminated, and or substituted during this time.
Bear Claw will assist in developing safe and reasonable processes for each department with the input of the Department Heads, and HR Manager.
Engineering Controls and Administrative Controls:
Bear Claw will work to implement engineering and administrative controls where necessary. These include, but are not limited to, the designation of space strictly for quarantined goods arriving onsite, the designation of certain spaces for those self-isolating upon arriving onsite, contactless payment methods for purchases, hand sanitizer will be provided, cleaning product stations and masks will also be situated throughout the property. New policies surrounding meal times, shared living spaces, sanitization and self isolation etc. all fall under this category.
The Use of gloves and face masks
See below for detailed information on this control method*
1.9 Detailed Operational Policies and Practices
Bear Claw will consistently work towards ensuring all team members, contractors, and guests are communicated with effectively regarding COVID-19 policies and practices during this time of global crisis. Bear Claw will work to ensure team members are kept informed, up to date, and fully understand all expectations around hygiene, company policies, safe work practices and protocols to be followed. This will be done through onsite training, however, other options for communications will also be utilized, such as emails, signage, video meetings etc.
BEAR CLAW LTD. PARTNERSHIP Team Policies and Protocols – General Outline
As team members at Bear Claw Lodge, we live and work in a small, remote and communal setting. As such, each team member is considered their own personal “household/bubble”. As such thorough safety measures and protocols will be enforced within each “household” to ensure the safest possible environment for team and guests alike. Each group of guests will be considered their own personal “household” or “bubble”. As such, Bear Claw has developed policies and protocols in the following areas in order to minimize potential hazards and risks associated with operations during and following the COVID-19 Pandemic:
Detailed information regarding these policies can be found below* Covid-19 Operational Policies and Practices List:
Pre-screening and Policy Information Sharing:
- Individuals who are considered to pose potential risk for the transmission and/or spread of COVID-19 will not be permitted on Bear Claw property.
- Prior to arriving at Bear Claw Lodge, all team members, contractors, and guests must successfully complete the ‘Bear Claw Lodge pre-screening Questionnaire’
- Bear Claw will determine each individual’s eligibility to safely be on Bear Claw property based on the successful completion of said form.
- Any team member, contractor or visitor who intends to be on Bear Claw property will be sent the relevant documents associated with Bear Claw’s COVID-19 protocols and practices. By choosing to be on Bear Claw property, it is expected that each individual is familiar with the content of these documents and willing to comply with all directives found therein.
- Any team member or guest showing COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to take a COVID-19 rapid test, if positive, they will then need to take a PCR test to confirm the positive case.
While Working Onsite:
Upon arriving to work at Bear Claw Lodge, you are expected to socially distance from the rest of the team while onsite. This includes all of the protocol and practices as outlined within this document, plus a strict adherence to the following:
- Diligent Social Distancing
- Do not enter any room other than your assigned room, for any reason, outside of retrieving meals from the designated serving area.
- Follow diligent personal hygiene procedures as outlined herein and on signage posted throughout the resort.
- The Gym is by appointment only and must be fully sanitized after each use.
- Must wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, while working, where social distancing is not possible.
Team Housing and Physical Distancing:
- Each person visiting Bear Claw Lodge will be assigned a private room for their personal use. This will be considered your household.
- Team members must be the only ones to handle their personal belongings, and personal belongings are to be put directly into assigned rooms.
- Team members must not gather inside rooms that are not their assigned living quarters.
- Each team member will limit their contact with other members of the team, contractors, and visitors onsite, if a safe physical distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
Sanitation and Hygiene:
Respiratory viruses like coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread when mucus or droplets containing the virus get into your body through your eyes, nose or throat. Most often, this happens through your hands. Hands are also one of the most common ways that the virus spreads from one person to the next. During a global pandemic, one of the cheapest, easiest, and most important ways to prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Below is a step-by-step process for effective handwashing, to remove all traces of the virus:
- Wet hands with warm water (not hot or cold).
- Apply Liquid or Foam Soap
- Lather soap, covering all surfaces of hands for 20-30 seconds. Including the back of hands, between fingers and under fingernails.
- Rinse thoroughly under running water
- Dry hands with a clean cloth or single-use towel
- Use towel to turn off faucet
- Bear Claw Lodge will ensure that materials for adhering to proper hand hygiene are easily and readily available on the premises, including individual hand towels for drying hands.
- It is each person’s personal responsibility to wash their hands often and thoroughly before arriving at Bear Claw Lodge and while on Bear Claw Property.
- Those on-site must wash their hands before and after their shift, after using the washroom, before and after eating, before and after touching their face if there is a need to do so, after handling objects potentially soiled by respiratory or other bodily secretions, after putting on a mask or taking off a mask, and after touching high contact surfaces.
- Bear Claw Lodge will ensure that the property is equipped with easily accessible cleaning products, stationed throughout resort property, which effectively sanitize surfaces.
- Team members, contractors, and guests are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing commonly used surfaces after each personal use. An example of this includes bathroom sinks, countertops and door handles in team accommodations.
- A rotating schedule of team members responsible for site-wide sanitation practices will be in effect – These duties will be performed multiple times a day and in assigned intervals throughout the course of each day. This checklist will be signed off on a minimum of 3 times per day.
Team Meal
- Diligent hand-washing as outlined in the hygiene guidelines must be performed before and after eating, as well as before, during and after meal preparation.
- Team Meal will begin at a designated time.
- Team members are asked to sanitize their hands, serve themself and then depart the food service area.
- It is important to minimize the number of people in the food preparation area, as such, team members should remain out of the kitchen area if they are not essential to food service.
- On good-weather days team members are asked to eat outdoors
- On bad weather days, team members are asked to return to their designated building and eat indoors.
- The kitchen and dining area will be diligently cleaned and sanitized routinely. Tasks may be appointed to specific team members to help in this matter.
- All personal dishes are to be put in the designated dish area and are not to be left out on counters.
- Cooking equipment and utensils will be washed using a dishwasher that is capable of achieving disinfection (high temperature rinse cycle). If washed by hand, the three sink process (wash, rinse, sanitize) will be performed, ensuring that all equipment and utensils are disinfected. Particular temperature and chemical requirements apply to commercial equipment disinfection; see BCCDC and Provincial Health Services Authority Dishwashing Requirements for more details.
Occupational Health and Safety Training Upon Returning to Work:
- Upon arrival and/or return to Bear Claw Lodge after a period of absence, team members, contractors and visitors, will receive an orientation/training surrounding Covid-19 protocols.
- If you are returning to Bear Claw, this may be a review, but it is asked that each person pay close attention as policies and procedures may be adjusted, as time goes on, in order to fit Bear Claw’s need to sustain a healthy and safe work environment.
- This orientation/training will include a list of existing Covid-19 policies and practices as well as any updated information that may be relevant to operations during/post the Covid-19 Pandemic.
- Team members are expected to be familiarized with up-to-date safe work/living practices, potential hazards, cleaning practices, and rules surrounding the reporting of symptoms associated with Covid-19.
- Ideally, this training will take place prior to, or immediately following, the disembarkation of the vessel/aircraft that visitors to Bear Claw Lodge arrive on.
Mental Health, Bullying and Harassment:
A public health emergency, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can cause heightened stress, anxiety, fear and a feeling of lack of control. It can challenge individuals in different ways, impacting the workplace and home life, as they try to cope. People may not cope or behave as they typically would and this could lead to the manifestation of mental health concerns, escalating violence and bullying and harassment. This being said, an increased sense of stress and tension may be felt by the team as we adjust to this new and different work environment. We are implementing the following Mental Health Strategy to help reduce workplace stress and anxiety:
- Bear Claw will encourage team members to practice self-care daily while onsite.
- Bear Claw asks for open, honest communication and for each team member to communicate their needs daily to the team.
- Bear Claw is committed to clearly communicating and systematically enforcing the COVID-19 controls and practices through a designated Health and Safety Committee for every shift of work, to avoid any potential for additional stress, or misunderstandings regarding proper conduct.
- Bear Claw will encourage a culture where team members are looking out for each other.
- Bear Claw will provide daily check ins with staff to see how they are doing and feeling mentally.
If a particular team member feels excessively targeted for following COVID-19 policies and practices, or if they feel that their safety is being jeopardized by others on-site who are not adhering diligently to the COVID-19 policies and practices, or if a team member feels ridiculed or humiliated for any reason surrounding Bear Claw’d COVID-19 policies and practices, these cases will be taken seriously, and will be considered a case of workplace harassment and bullying.
Disciplinary Action Plan:
It is Bear Claw Lodge’s responsibility to meet the requirements of occupational health and safety legislation in dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Team members, contractors, and visitors are required to follow the health and safety rules, as well as the COVID-19 practices and policies, as laid out by Bear Claw Lodge. Bear Claw will ensure that these policies are being observed and practiced to the best of each team member’s ability. Bear Claw will proceed with a COVID-19 Disciplinary Action Plan, which includes verbal and written warnings, and in extreme cases, termination if team members are observed to be disregarding COVID-19 protocols, thus putting the health and safety of all on-site at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 or other biological agents.
COVID-19 Exposure Response Plan
Potential Covid-19 infection on-site:
- If a team member, contractor, or guest becomes sick, begins to experience symptoms related to COVID-19, or learns of exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, it is mandatory that this be reported immediately to Executive Leadership in a safe and prompt fashion.
- Bear Claw will treat any individuals presenting potential symptoms of COVID-19, or who may have come into contact with COVID-19, with respect and dignity.
- If an individual on-site presents with symptoms associated with COVID-19, they will immediately be given directions to self-isolate in a location that is safe and separate from all other individuals on-site, while safe transportation is arranged for you to isolate from your personal household.
- If an individual becomes sick, or has potentially been exposed to COVID-19, their workspace will be cleaned and disinfected immediately.
- If an individual on-site needs to self-isolate entirely from the rest of those onsite, the space they are provided with will have access to all basic needs, as well as provide a comfortable and safe quality of life.
- If it is determined by Executive Leadership that there is a potential case of COVID-19 on Bear Claw property, Bear Claw will then follow appropriate mandated Public Health Directives and Occupational Health and Safety Legislation. In doing this, Bear Claw will work to ensure that any individual on-site, who becomes sick or develops symptoms, is able to seek the medical counsel and resources that they require.
2.0 Guest Communications and Departmental Operational Protocols
Guest and Team Interactions:
As mentioned earlier in this policy and practices document, each group of guests will be treated as an individual household/ “bubble”. Therefore, in order to keep our guests and team members safe and healthy, we have implemented COVID-19 protocols and practices that are specific to each department. Below, you will find a detailed list of protocols that each department will implement during the operational season.
Setting
Bear Claw Lodge is a 15,000 square foot timber lodge that sits along the banks of the magical Kispiox River in the heart of the 700,000 pristine acres of natural wonder. Bear Claw is located on the tradiational territories of the Gitxsan Nation, specifically the territory of Gitludahl.
Bear Claw Lodge offers customized and private excursions, we are confident that we will be able to provide you with an unforgettable and safe experience. During this time, certain common spaces will be available to book for private use in order to facilitate safe physical distancing, these include spaces such as the gym, hot tub, and the sauna. Our team will be happy to arrange this for you once you are onsite.
Arrival
Each individual travelling to Bear Claw Lodge will be asked a series of COVID-19 pre-screening questions. This will be carried out by our team online or over the phone. Upon arrival at Bear Claw Lodge, you will be greeted by a member of our team and will be provided with a mask for your personal use, as well as personal hand sanitizer and guidelines regarding our COVID-19 policies and practices. You and your group will be given a private tour of the resort facilities. Within this tour you will be guided through our onsite policies and practices which have been thoughtfully designed to keep you and our team as safe and healthy as possible.
Team
Each member of our team has completed a certified course in COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, and prevention. For additional peace of mind, we would like you to know that Bear Claw has created a collection of thorough company policies designed to minimize the risk of potential transmission and/or spread of COVID-19 onsite. Each member of our team adheres to these policies while working and living at Bear Claw Lodge. If you would like to know more detail about these policies, just ask!
Sanitization
While we always pride ourselves on going above and beyond industry standards in this regard, we have also implemented a wide range of additional cleanliness and sanitation practices during this time. Some examples of these practices are as follows: High touch areas such as door handles and light switches are sanitized continuously throughout the day, public washrooms are cleaned after each use, and hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the lodge, in all public spaces, and on board each vehicle/vessel. We do ask during this time that you try to avoid using the washrooms in the “common” areas. If possible, we are asking all guests to try to use only their ensuite bathrooms.
Rooms
You can rest assured knowing that each room is private and that only you and your travel companions will have access to this space for the duration of your stay. Our exceptional housekeeping team meticulously cleans and sanitizes each room prior to your arrival. Special attention is paid to thoroughly sanitizing high touch areas on hard surfaces. We will also be steam cleaning all soft surfaces within the lodge prior to your arrival. During this time in-room housekeeping services are available upon requests and will only take place while you are outside of your room.
Adventure
At Bear Claw Lodge, we specialize in customizing all activities and excursions to provide a truly unforgettable and seamlessly personalized experience in the wilderness. During COVID-19, this also means tailoring activities to ensure safe social distancing practices can be maintained. We will do our best to ensure that you are able to safely socially distance, and we will also provide you with appropriate gear. Any apparel and/or gear provided to you by Bear Claw Lodge will be sanitized and stored by our guide team. Current protocol requires all guests and team members to wear masks inside of the helicopters and vehicles. Please note, any reusable masks should be washed daily. We are happy to do this for you!
Heliskiing and Fishing guests will be asked to enter the gear room in their designated groups. “Group 1, Group 2, Group 3”. This will provide adequate space for guests to get ready and head outside for their activity.
Ski goggles and gloves are also mandatory in the helicopter. This will reduce high touch areas as well as reduce the transmission of COVID-19 while in such close proximity.
Culinary
Dining experiences at Bear Claw Lodge are designed to be enjoyed in the heart of nature, in wild and open spaces. We would like to assure you that whether enjoying a gourmet picnic on a remote beach, or dinner in our spacious lodge, your meal will be a safe and memorable experience. Our kitchen team has always ensured that food is prepared and served in a manner that exceeds food safety legislation standards. We assure you that this attention to detail will be upheld and additional sanitation measures will be taken during COVID-19. Please note that we have assessed the capacity of all of our buildings this season to ensure safe social distancing practices can be maintained.
Wellness
Our wellness team is here to instill peace of mind whilst providing our guests with a myriad of treatment and massage options. Although there are some limitations on capacity, we are still committed to offering rejuvenating massages and yoga classes.
How will guest arrivals differ due to COVID-19?
Guests will be toured privately and will only be with members of their specific group/household. During the tour, guest’s will be informed of all relevant and updated COVID-19 protocol information, they will also be shown signage, verbally debriefed on their responsibilities, and the measures Bear Claw Lodge is taking to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
How will the waiver signing process differ onsite?
Guests will be socially distanced and by one group at a time. The table and writing utensils will be sanitized.
How will Bear Claw arrange, communicate, and disseminate sanitation needs throughout the property?
- Bear Claw has built a sanitation map and cleaning schedule for appropriate staff members.
- Managers will be responsible for checking in with each department (housekeeping, kitchen, etc) to ensure that the sanitation schedule is working and is being completed daily.
- Bear Claw will work with each “team” to develop a rotating schedule of staff who are responsible for upholding sanitation practices.
- Information will be shared onsite via whiteboards, checklists, and during meetings
- Each day the morning manager will check all cleaning standards are exceeded and the afternoon manager will do the same until the end of the evening.
How will checkout differ for guests onsite this season?
- The Moneris machine will be sanitized before and after use.
Guides
Members of the guide team interact directly with guests for the majority of their shift/day. It is imperative that protocols and practices are followed to maintain the safety of our team and our guests. Each group’s activities will be privately guided to ensure that guests can safely socially distance and maintain the integrity of their household/”bubble”. Guided activities will be scheduled to allow for full sanitation of equipment, gear, and spaces used for activities to occur between guest uses. When in the vehicle or helicopter, guests, guides and pilot must wear masks.
How will guest luggage be handled this season?
Guest luggage will be loaded and unloaded by designated staff. The luggage handles must be sanitized before and after handling. Hands are to be thoroughly washed and sanitized. Luggage is to be delivered to the guest’s room door and staff will not enter guest room.
Are we sanitizing guest luggage?
When applicable, touch points on luggage will be sanitized prior and after to being handled. Luggage will be sprayed with a disinfectant upon arrival at lodge.
Which guided activities pose a risk to safe social distancing between guests and guides and require that both guides and guests wear PPE?
Helping guests into/out of kayaks, while in rafts, passing guests their paddles, ensuring guest’s have safely and correctly put on their gear (i.e. life jackets, wet suits, riding helmets, abs back packs, etc.), helping guests over debris on hikes, helping guests off and on horses or assistance during rides, while foraging, helicopter or float plan tours, helping guests in and out of helicopter, in the helicopter or vehicle, helping a guest to bundle skis.
How will materials be sanitized?
All hard surfaces/gear will be sanitized with a BCCDC approved sanitizer.
Who is responsible for sanitation of team members’ activity gear?
- For ease, team members are strongly encouraged to bring their own gear for post work activities.
- If a team member uses Bear Claw gear and/or equipment for an activity, they take responsibility for the sanitation and cleaning of said equipment. In using Bear Claw’s gear and/or equipment, team members are also required to seek the counsel of the Management to ensure that they are aware of the correct sanitation procedure for any items they may use. Signage and instructions for the proper sanitation and storage of equipment/gear will be posted in the main office.
Kitchen
The kitchen team is responsible for prepping, creating and plating guest and team meals. The measures put in place are to protect our team members and guests. As a team member, you will need permission from the kitchen prior to entering any of the following spaces: kitchen, dish pit, and food storage facilities on site. Hands must be washed prior to entering these spaces.
How will food preparation and service change?
- Food preparation will remain similar to before and diligent hand washing and sanitation of spaces will be upheld to a standard that meets and exceeds all industry guidelines.
- Breakfast, canapes and dinner will be served to each individual group/household’s table.
- Table capacity will be in line with PHO guidelines
- Any guests requiring a packed lunch will now receive an individual lunch bag. Soup and coffee will still be served from one container, served by the guide. Guide and guests must sanitize before.
List of changes to staff snacks and meals:
- When guest lunches return, any remaining food will be immediately placed in the compost.
- Items such as additional snacks, cream, sugar etc will be stored in a separate packed lunch and will be served by guides to mitigate food waste.
- We ask that no team member help themselves to any food in the fridges. There will be snacks readily available. Those snacks include chips, fruit , veggies, cookies and bars. They will be individually packed for each staff member and available in staff housing.
- The coffee station will still be available, but please follow the sanitation instructions before and after each use.
Front of House
The Front of House team is responsible for the dining room, the front room in the lodge, hot tub room, the bar and outdoor dining/fire areas. Food and food safety is an imperative piece in our guests’ experience at Bear Claw Lodge. While masks and hourly sanitation will be mandatory, a sense of ease and peace in the dining room should still remain, with sanitation and safety remaining a top priority.
How will Bear Claw Lodge sanitize their spaces, in between meals?
- All chairs, inside and out, table surfaces and areas used by the guests will be washed with hot soapy water and sprayed with a BCCDC approved sanitizing cleaning product
- Soft surfaces such as linen chairs will be sanitized daily and steam cleaned between guest uses
- Cleaning will be done while wearing a mask
- The Front of House department head will ensure that any individual who is assisting in sanitizing Front of House spaces is properly trained in sanitation practices of said spaces
How will bathrooms be sanitized?
- Washing of bathrooms between guests includes: wiping down all high touch surfaces with a bleach solution (bleach is adequate for 24 hours only when diluted) (sink handles, toilet handle, door handles and sink counters). Each bathroom is expected to be deep cleaned three times per day and at the end of any food service meal in the lodge. Deep cleaning includes washing floors, toilet bowls, mirrors etc.
- We ask that guests try to only use their ensuite bathroom.
How will breakfast and dinner service change for Bear Claw Lodge team members?
- Guests will be seated with spacing that follow all current PHO capacity guidelines
- One team member will have guest facing duties which include but are not limited to; greeting guests, taking orders, order dissemination, delivering food and drinks
- Two team members will have service duties which include but are not limited to; running food, clearing plates, making cocktails, pouring wines.
- Liquor service times will remain in line with all current PHO’s.
How will the bar program operate differently?
- Only one team member behind the bar at one time.
- All barware will be kept in disinfectant solution between uses, disinfectant will be changed every hour.
- Guests are not allowed to handle any mix. This will all be prepared by the serving staff.
How will wine service look different?
- All wines will be handled by service staff only and will be stored in the wine prep area on the bar.
- If a guest requests to pour their own wine, the service team will no longer handle the bottle after it has been presented to the table.
How will the dining room look different?
- The lodge and outdoor spaces will be reset between every trip and tailored to the number of guests on site.
How will side duties look different?
There will be frequent loads of laundry running for napkins and cleaning cloths. Additional cleaning with lunch cooler and thermoses (each individual will have their own), there will need to be sanitized and cleaned after each day.
Housekeeping
The housekeeping team will experience the most significant changes in operations due to COVID-19. Cleaning services will only occur while guests are outside of their rooms. Any items that guests would like laundered or removed will be placed outside of the bedroom door and these items will be replenished and left on a sanitized surface just outside of the guest room door. There will also be a system implemented which will allow guests to order room amenities during the course of their stay. We will encourage guests to communicate any amenities that they would like brought to their room prior to departing for the day’s guided activities. Rooms will not be used back to back. This creates an isolated resting period between guest departure and entrance into the lodge/rooms by housekeepers. Due to increased levels of sanitation, room flips will take longer. Avoiding assigning the same room back to back creates extra time for housekeepers to perform thorough room changeovers.
What tasks will housekeepers perform on non-changeover days?
- Replenishing items that guests have requested – These items are to be delivered on a sanitized surface, just outside of guest room doors.
- Housekeeping will be able to perform aspects of room flip on non-changeover days.
- The head housekeeper will work with the management to manage the lodge-wide Covid-19 sanitation schedule.
- Cleaning, sanitation and disinfecting of high volume areas lodge-wide. Examples of spaces include massage room, office, lodge, gym, staff housing, storage rooms etc.
- Deep cleaning tasks that are not directly inside any of the occupied rooms.
How many team members can be in a room cleaning at once?
1 staff member is permitted in a guest room for cleaning.
How many team members can be in the housekeeping room at once?
2 staff members are permitted in the housekeeping room at once.
What items will be removed from rooms?
All non-essential items. Including but not limited to extra blankets and books. All of these items will be available for guests upon request.
How will hard-surfaced items be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected between guests?
All surfaces including counters, walls, doors, mirrors, light fixtures, light switches, door handles and all bathroom surfaces will be treated with a BCCDC approved disinfectant.
Is the housekeeping team responsible for team spaces?
- Housekeeping is responsible for monitoring team spaces and ensuring they are kept to a high standard of cleanliness and sanitation.
- Yes, the housekeeping team is responsible for all bathrooms and common areas in staff spaces with the exception of changeover day. On changeover days, a cleaning schedule will be created.
- The housekeeping team is not responsible for individual rooms, team members are responsible for the deep cleaning of their own room before they leave Bear Claw. This includes their linens being placed directly into the washing machine.
Yoga
The yoga instructor will create a signup list and ask each guest the evening before the class who is interested. There will be a maximum capacity of 10 people. Masks must be worn.
Is hand washing necessary before classes?
Yes, both guests and teachers will be required to sanitize their hands before and after their class.
Will there still be yoga mats and props available during classes?
- Mats will still be provided, they will be properly sanitized before and after.
Massage
Will all treatments still be offered?
Yes.
Are guests required to wear face masks during their treatment?
Guests are not required to wear face masks when facing down, but are required to when facing upwards.
Are team members required to wear face masks during a guests treatment?
Yes, team members will be wearing a mask any time they enter the massage room.
What sanitation protocols are put in place to ensure the safety of our guests and team members?
- Both guests and team members are asked to wash their hands before and after any treatments.
- There will be a 30 minute window in between each massage to allow for proper cleaning and sanitation of the space.
- All non-essential items will be taken out of the massage room.
Hot tub and the gym
Will these facilities still be open for guest use?
Yes, guests are asked to check in with guest services prior to each use.
Who is responsible for the cleaning and sanitation of these spaces?
The housekeeping team is responsible for overseeing this area, however, they will be helped by management.
How will these spaces be properly cleaned, sanitized and disinfected?
Guidelines for how these spaces are expected to be maintained can be found at the bottom of this document, listed under resources.
Maintenance
Is the maintenance team allowed to enter a room to fix any issues that may arise?
Yes, under two conditions;
- It is an urgent repair
- The guest is not inside the room.
Appendix 1: Environmental Hygiene and Decontamination Solutions
Current evidence suggests that Covid-19 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of different materials. The thorough cleaning of surfaces and structures, followed by disinfection, is therefore a best practice measure for prevention of Covid-19.
For disinfection purposes, common household disinfectants such as ready-to-use disinfecting wipes and pre-made solutions (no dilution needed) can be used. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions printed on the bottle. Ensure that the disinfectant product has a Drug Identification Number (DIN) on its label. Always follow product instructions for dilution, contact time and safe use. All visibly dirty surfaces should be cleaned with water and detergent before disinfection commences.
If access to pre-made disinfection products isn’t available, the following bleach concentrations should be applied, taking great care when mixing.
Surface disinfection: Chlorine (household bleach- sodium hypochlorite, 5.25%) should be applied at a concentration of 1 part bleach to 100 parts water (10 ml bleach to 990 ml water). This concentration should be used for disinfecting surfaces (e.g., hand railings, grab handles, door knobs, cupboard handles). Make fresh daily and allow surfaces to air dry naturally. ***After 24 hours the bleach solution is no longer active***
Disinfecting surfaces contaminated with body fluids: Chlorine (household bleach – sodium hypochlorite, 5.25%) should be applied at a concentration of 1 part bleach to 50 parts water (20 ml bleach to 980 ml water). This concentration should be used for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with body fluids and waste like vomit, diarrhea, mucus, or feces (after cleaning with soap and water first). Make fresh daily and allow the surface to air dry naturally. ***After 24 hours the bleach solution is no longer active***
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs) noted a ‘alkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides’ on the product label, may be used for disinfecting surfaces (e.g., floors, walls, furnishings).
Cleaning equipment should be designated for particular areas and colour coding may assist in the identification of specific equipment that is used for specific tasks.
Resources:
http://www.hotelassociation.ca