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  3. New Standard Operating Procedures

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.