Sycamore Outdoor Center COVID-19 Guidelines

Updated 7/8/2020

The following guidelines are to be applied in all physical facilities on SOC property where staff and/or the public engage in direct activities of work or visitor usage. These guidelines are adapted from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Cleaning and Disinfection of Community Facilities and the American Camp Association Guidance on Activities.

It is suggested that employees of the SOC participate in training on the proper use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and the safe and effective use of cleaning and disinfecting supplies.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF FACILITIES

Terminology

• Cleaning: the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs, but by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore the risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting: using chemicals, for example EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces the risk of spreading infection.

How to clean and disinfect

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• All hard surfaces that are used or in close proximity to SOC staff or users must be cleaned and disinfected daily. If a group is coming onto the property immediately after another group leaves, then time must be allowed in the schedule for proper cleaning and disinfecting of all areas used by the previous group and staff. Staff must be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting, not users/visitors.
• For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
  • A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available at this link. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, application method and contact time, etc.
  • Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least 1 minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.
    • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
      • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
      • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

• For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
  • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
    • Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 and that are suitable for porous surfaces

Electronics & Electrical

• For electronics such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and other potentially electrified features, such as water fountains, and vending machines, remove visible contamination if present.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
  • Consider use of wipeable covers for electronics where shared use is required.
  • If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol to disinfect touch screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.

Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry

• In order to minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air, do not shake dirty laundry.
• Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
• Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene

• The risk of exposure to staff when they are cleaning is inherently low. These staff should wear disposable gloves, gowns/aprons, and masks for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.
  • Gloves, gowns and masks should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used.
  • Additional PPE might be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant products being used and whether there is a risk of splash.
  • Gloves and gowns should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area. Be sure to clean hands after removing gloves.
  • If gowns or aprons are not available, then work uniforms can be worn during cleaning and disinfecting. Reusable (washable) clothing should be laundered afterwards. Clean hands after handling dirty laundry.
• Gloves should be removed after cleaning a room or area occupied by ill persons. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
• All staff, whether cleaning or in close proximity to others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact within occupied spaces, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
• Prior to cleaning hands, staff should avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Additional key times to clean hands include:
    • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • After using the restroom.
    • Before eating or preparing food.
    • After contact with animals or pets.
    • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance such as a child.

Additional considerations

• Regularly monitor local and state health departments to ensure appropriate local protocols and guidelines, such as updated/additional guidance for cleaning and disinfection, are followed, including for identification of new potential cases of COVID-19.
• If any staff test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to any individual who has recently tested positive, they should immediately notify their supervisor.

SOC ACTIVITIES

All activities, whether indoors or outdoors, should be planned and implemented in a way that allows for physical distancing within groups and subgroups and proper hygiene can be practiced.

Terminology

• Physical distancing: the general guidance is to remain a minimum of 6 feet (2 meters) away from all other individuals. Staff should provide instructions and reminders on this requirement during all phases of activities.
• Hand hygiene: cleaning and disinfecting hands with either hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes (minimum 60% alcohol content), or by thoroughly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

General Guidance

• Staff and participants should wear approved masks during indoor activities when physical distancing is not possible.
• Move activities outdoors when possible.
• Design activities to use as small a group as possible in order to facilitate proper distancing.
• Shared equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between uses. Activities that require the immediate sharing of equipment, such as ball-toss type activities, will not be utilized until further notice.

Sunday Open Recreation

• Signage will be posted prior to the parking lot about checking in at the welcome building.
• Check-in will be done using distancing. A line will be marked on the welcome building deck in front of the sliding window. Visitors will complete an online waiver with their cell phones as in the past, but if that is not possible, they will use the SOC i-pad. The i-pad will be disinfected after each use.
• Student worker will wear disposable gloves and mask during visitor check-in.
• Student worker will explain all COVID-19 protection rules with visitors during check-in. Each visitor will receive a brief copy of the rules.
• Student worker will conduct a verbal health assessment of each person or small group. Ask each individual or small group:
  •  In the last 14 days, have you had any of these symptoms?
    • Persistent Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
      Or at least two of these symptoms:
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Unexplained muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of taste or smell
• Small groups of visitors who are family and/or individuals who have been living under the same roof for the past 14 days or longer with no symptoms of COVID-19 may participate in close proximity to one another, but not with other individuals or groups.
• Student worker will perform hourly disinfecting of restrooms, water fountains, and equipment based on usage by visitors.
• The classroom building will be locked and unavailable to visitors during Sunday open recreation.

SCHEDULING INFORMATION & PROCEDURES

In addition to the standard information shared with and collected from groups reserving the SOC, the following will be presented as temporary requirements:

• Group size will be limited to 25 persons.
• A maximum of 10 people at a time are allowed to gather in the classroom building. This does not include the kitchen, which will be limited to 3 people. If the main room has reached its limit of 10, then the exterior kitchen door will be used for entry and exit.
• A maximum of two people at a time will be allowed to use the main restrooms. This allows for distancing at the sinks. The middle sink will be closed.
• The picnic shelter adjoining the classroom building, allowing for distancing, can accommodate approximately 15 people using the picnic tables and single chairs from inside the building. During nice weather, this number can increase substantially since people can sit or stand outside the shelter.
• When using the fire pits, docks, boat equipment, and other outside spaces, 6 foot distancing will be expected.
• Encourage the use of individual refillable water bottles (not glass). There is a spigot type water fountain available by the restrooms to refill bottles.
• Encourage group sponsor to perform a verbal health assessment with the group prior to the event. SOC staff will perform a verbal health assessment with each group upon arrival.
• There will be no overlapping scheduling of groups. Groups will be scheduled with sufficient time between departure and arrival for staff to clean and disinfect.
• The SOC will not provide face masks. If a group intends on having a function, such as a meeting, which will pose distancing risk or have the group in the same space for an extended period of time, then they should plan on providing each person with a mask and expect them to wear them.
• The SOC will provide hand sanitizer and hand washing. Sanitizer will be available at the welcome building, in the restrooms and in the classroom building.

EMPLOYEES & VOLUNTEERS

Employees at the SOC includes the director, property manager, and student workers. Student workers may be regular workers, Sunday workers, or Keystone Adventure Program Facilitators.

Volunteers may be affiliated with the university or from the community. They typically offer service to the SOC in exchange for use of the facility. Volunteer activities usually involve maintenance of the grounds or structures, but may include construction or renovation projects.

All employees and volunteers are expected to follow these guidelines:

• If an employee or volunteer is sick, they should not report to work or engage in any activities at the SOC. An employee with a COVID-19 diagnosis cannot return to work until cleared by a medical professional.
• If an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, they must immediately notify their supervisor if possible.
• If an employee or volunteer is exposed to the COVID-19 virus, they should stay away from the SOC. Employees should notify their supervisor immediately of this exposure concern. A 14-day quarantine period without symptoms will be required before the employee can return to work.
• When working together, employees and volunteers are expected to practice safe physical distancing and hand hygiene. When distancing is not possible, then wearing masks is expected.

SIGNAGE & NOTIFICATIONS

Signage that provides instructions and requirements for physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing masks will be posted in all common usage areas of the SOC. Signage will also be used to direct vehicle and foot traffic to facilitate safety, such as Sunday check-in.

This University guidance is subject to change as more guidance becomes available from public health and government officials. Please check back periodically for updates.