New Standard Operating Procedures
Under guidance from Washington's Governor Inslee and in collaboration with Outdoor Recreation Guides and Tours Working Group, Methow Rafting has updated its Standard Operating Procedures. Below are highlighted updates that most concern guests, not the comprehensive document.
Phase 1:
guided kayaking only
During Phase 1 of Safe Start Washington guests for guided tour trips must be all be from the same household with maximum of 8 participants
Pretrip:
Guests are encouraged to only come on a trip if they can visit for the day and return home at night
Guests pay online or over the phone, no cash will be handled
Guests are briefed on COVID-19 safety before they arrive through email and/or phone
Require guests to cancel if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, or new loss of taste or smell and ensure that they can reschedule with no penalty when they are feeling better
Methow Rafting will be following Gov. Inslee’s Phase 1 Paddle Sport Guidelines https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19Phase1and2OutdoorRecreationGuidance.pdf
Social distancing will be practiced throughout entire tour
Masks will be worn by guests and staff during the shuttle. Guests are asked to bring their own.
A customer log is being used in the case contact tracing is needed
Visiting Responsibly. Methow Rafting asks that
Guests visit for the day and return home at night
Come with a full tank of gas to minimize stops at gas stations
Bring their own groceries to minimize stops at grocery stores
If guests want to safely support the local economy, please call ahead at a restaurant and pay over the phone for take out, call ahead at a grocery store and pay over the phone for curbside pick up, wear gloves at the gas station, wear a mask when in a building or close to other people
Wash and sanitize hands after touching common surfaces
Guests sign digital waiver before arriving
Outfitting
Six foot social distancing during customer gear fitting. Staff will verbally direct customers how to fit gear but not physically fit it to them
Staff
Train staff in identifying COVID-19 symptoms
Train staff in use of PPE
Cloth facial coverings will be worn over mouth and nose during shuttles
Train staff in proper handwashing
Train staff in how to maintain social distancing in the workplace
Screen employees for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 at start of shift
Employees need to self-isolate and inform a supervisor immediately if they develop a fever
Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider
Keep up to date on all changes issued by the Office of the Governor, the Department of Labor & Industries, and the Department of Health. Updates will be given by owners via email and/or verbal meeting
Shuttles
Shuttle transportation only allowed for groups where all members are in the same household.
Sanitize all handles and common surfaces pre and post ride
Wear masks
Guests are asked to bring their own. If they do not have one we will provide them with a mask.
Guests sanitize hands before and after shuttle
Food and drink
No food provided during phase 1
Guests may attach the water bottle to their kayaks. Staff will not touch or carry anything for the guests, including water bottles.
Safety Talk:
Six foot social distancing during customer safety talk
Discuss new SOPs about COVID-19
Social distancing
Masks on shuttles
No touching of the mouth, nose or eyes
Cough into elbow
Hand washing and sanitizing
Address stigma of covid-19
We are reasonably safe
Declaration of Health
We are taking preventative measures
Relax and enjoy the river
Face to Face Interactions
Do not touch face
Stay 6ft apart when possible
Cough into elbow
No physical contact
No hand shaking
No high fiving
No fist-bumps
Yes rock on sign
Yes thumbs up
Yes raise the roof
Yes big grins, hoot and hollers
Clean and Disinfecting of Equipment
Soft surfaces: PFDs, wetsuits, booties, splash jackets
Clean with soap and water
Disinfect
Hard surfaces: boats, paddles, helmets
Clean with soap and water
Disinfect
Dry equipment completely before use
Declaration of Health
All guests must sign a Declaration of Health waiver prior to trip (this is in the online waiver)
All staff are screened before each day of work
Require customers to cancel if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, or new loss of taste or smell and ensure that they can reschedule with no penalty when they are feeling better
Kayaking
Six foot social distancing at all times
In the case of a rescue, six foot social distancing will not apply
During Phase 1 of Safe Start Washington clients for guided tour trips must be all be from the same household with maximum of 8 participants
Kayak tour departures are staggered to minimize contact between staff and groups of participants.