Covid Policy

What is COVID-19

 

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus strain spreading from person-to-person that has not been previously identified. It is currently in the United States and most other countries in the world. Health experts are concerned because this new virus spreads easily and has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people — especially people over age 60 or who have weakened immune systems.

 

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly through close contact from person-to-person. Some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.

 

COVID-19 may also be spread by a person touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. This is not thought to be the main way this virus is spreading.

The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads very easily between people in the following ways:

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people nearby or be inhaled into the lungs.

 

COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

 

Symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills  

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

 

There may be more symptoms than listed above.

 

Ways to prevent getting COVID-19:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.

  • Limit non-essential trips out of the house and minimize contact with others who don't live with you.

  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others outside of your home.

  • Wear a cloth face covering or mask to cover your mouth and nose when outside your home.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Stay away from others who are sick. Stay home if you are sick or showing symptoms.

  • Avoid group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.

  • Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.

  • Anyone who is experiencing even mild COVID-like symptoms should isolate themselves away from others and get tested. It is important to isolate yourself as soon as you develop symptoms, even before you are tested, because if you have COVID-19, you are already contagious.

 

COVID-19 Procedures for Salon DVA

Date Last Updated: 09/16/2022

This plan includes the written procedures and practices this business establishment has implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This plan adheres to all measures established by the Governor’s guidance, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention: General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces, and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations (DOH). This plan incorporates the latest industry guidance available from the State of Washington at: https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources/covid-19-reopening-guidance-businesses-and-workers

 

a. Updated Sick Leave Policy

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf

Employees should not come to work if they are sick and/or experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19. Employees should notify their supervisor as soon as possible and work with their supervisor regarding their time off.

Employees do not need to present a note from their healthcare provider. Employees should work with their supervisor to plan for their leave. 

All employee’s health information, including a COVID-19 diagnosis, will remain confidential. Staff will be notified that someone has had a positive diagnosis, but supervisors will keep the employee’s identity confidential.

 

FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE STAFF ONLY:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html

To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.

A potential exposure means being a household contact or having close contact within 6 feet of an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The timeframe for having contact with an individual includes the period of time of 48 hours before the individual became symptomatic.

Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic will adhere to the following practices prior to and during their work shift:

  •  Pre-Screen: Employee has temperature measured, and is assessed for symptoms prior to starting work, ideally, before entering the facility.

  • Regular Monitoring: If the employee doesn’t have a fever or symptoms, they will self-monitor under the supervision of the business’ occupational health program.

  • Wear a Mask or Face Covering: The employee will wear a face covering or mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure.

  • Social Distance: The employee will maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.

  • Disinfect and Clean: All workplace areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment will be cleaned and disinfected routinely.

 

If the employee becomes sick during the day, they will be sent home immediately. Surfaces in the workspace will be cleaned and disinfected. Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms will be compiled. Others at the workplace with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time will be considered exposed.

Recommendations in the Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 have been implemented to help prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

 

b. Employee Training

  • All employees are trained about how to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and about every procedure in this plan before starting work.

  • Safety information, hygienic practices and policies are posted on-site [insert location(s)], including:

    o   Social distancing and PPE requirements;

    o   Not touching the face with unwashed hands or with gloves;

    o   Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;

    o   Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;

    o   Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, machines, shared tools, elevator control buttons, doors and doorknobs; and

    o   Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing as well as other hygienic recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

  • Information regarding employee rights under Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation 20-46, high risk employee rights, and Families First Coronavirus Response Act, use of unemployment benefits and other paid time off resources is provided to every employee.

 

c. Employee Health Screening

  • All employees are screened for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 at the start of each shift, using the COVID-19 Screening Tool. 

  • Sick employees are instructed to go home immediately if they feel or appear sick.

  • Employees with symptoms are recommended to get tested, even if they have only mild symptoms or have had close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

  • Employees with symptoms are recommended to isolate immediately to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

  • Any area where a sick employee worked is immediately cleaned and sanitized using cleaning guidelines from the CDC.

  • Sick employees are encouraged to stay home. Employees will not return to work until:

    o   they feel healthy,

    o   they have gone 24 hours without a fever without the use of any fever reducing medications and improving symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath),

    o   and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

  • Employees do not need to submit a negative COVID-19 test result or a positive antibody test before starting a job or returning to work after recovering from the virus.

 

d. Social Distancing

Employees and customers will always maintain 6-feet of distance in all interactions. When strict physical distancing is not feasible for a specific task, the following prevention measures will be taken, including the appropriate face masks and other PPE:

       •      Include PPE specific to your business.

       •    Adequate face coverings will be provided

       •    Use of plexiglass barriers

       •    Staggering of shifts and breaks

       •    Only one person is allowed in an elevator at a time unless they already live together

 

 

e. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

All employees will receive PPE appropriate for the job function or activity being performed. PPE includes gloves, goggles, face shields and face masks.

Employees are required to wear appropriate PPE at all times while at work.                                

Which Mask for Which Task: https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F414-168-000.pdf

 

Face Coverings and Employees

All employees are required to wear face coverings in Washington State as of 6-6-2020 unless they meet one or more of the following exemptions:

Anyone with a disability that makes it hard for them to wear or remove a face covering.

Anyone who has been advised by a medical professional to not wear a face covering because of personal health issues.

 

Employees are also required to stay 6 feet apart from each other and customers.

This business will make reasonable accommodations for any employee who is unable to wear a face covering due to the exemptions listed above.  If an employee cannot wear a face covering, maintaining 6 feet (or 2 meters) of social distance is required. Employees are not allowed to ask other employees private medical information.

 

Face Coverings and Customers

Customers entering the building are required to wear face coverings in Washington State as of 6-6-2020 unless they meet one or more of the following exemptions:

  • Babies and toddlers under age 2 should never wear cloth face coverings.

  • Children ages 2-4 are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering.

  • All children ages 5 years & up should wear a face covering unless medically directed to do otherwise.

  • Anyone with a disability that makes it hard for them to wear or remove a face covering.

  • Anyone who has been advised by a medical professional to not wear a face covering because of personal health issues.

  • Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, or unable to remove the face covering without help.

We offer disposable face masks at the entrance for folks that do not have one. Customers are also required to stay 6 feet apart from each other and business employees. If customers are not following these laws, it is our responsibility to educate customers and ask them to abide by them. This should be done with respect and kindness. It is important to give people the benefit of the doubt in these situations.

 

Employees are not allowed to ask customers about private medical information. It is illegal for an employer or employee to ask a customer, vendor, colleague, etc. if they have a disability. This business will make reasonable accommodations for anyone that is unable to wear a face covering due to the exemptions listed above.  Employees will ask folks who are unable to wear a face covering to maintain 6 feet (or 2 meters) of social distance [and if applicable - offer contactless service].

  

f. Sanitation and Cleaning

Disinfecting and cleaning are a critical component of reducing the spread COVID-19 and keeping business open. Regular housekeeping practices, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, equipment, and other elements of the work environment are maintained.

The manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and disinfectant products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, PPE) used for cleaning are followed.

All high-touch areas are frequently sanitized, including restrooms, doors and all commonly-touched surfaces. This also includes door handles, desks, phones, light switches, and faucets, should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily.

 

g. Hand Washing

  • Employees are required to wash hands frequently for 20 seconds during shifts including before and after going to the bathroom, before and after eating and after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose.

  • Supplies, including soap and hand sanitizer (greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol) are available. Hand sanitizer is located at the entrance.

  • Disposable gloves are provided for use where safe and applicable to prevent transmission on tools or other shared items

  • Workers should always wash hands when visibly soiled and after removing any PPE.

  • Handwashing signs are posted in restrooms.