Given the number of government and public health announcements regarding COVID-19 over the last few weeks, we are confident that members have implemented various protocols and guidelines to protect themselves, their staff and the public. Please adhere to the public health guidelines and government regulations appropriate for your area.
Several provinces have already mandated closure of all non-essential business for a temporary time. In these cases, golf course maintenance has received permission to conduct essential maintenance. It is imperative to note that
this is not business as usual and only the most vital duties should be undertaken during these extraordinary times.
Although different golf courses have various views of what essential is; please be aware and mindful of the public perception of your activities and how this could affect your colleagues who are in a different situation. This is a pause on your regular springtime duties. If essential maintenance is done during these closures, return to work should allow for business to return to normal when that time comes.
It has been recommended that essential golf course maintenance includes removal of green covers, initial mowing, irrigation and/or plant nutrition if needed.
If you are not mandated closed by government; public health guidelines should be followed including social distancing, frequent hand washing and not coming to work ill. Superintendents are encouraged to have only one operator per piece of machinery, with full disinfection between use by different operators, additional space for breaks, limit of staff members in common areas and several hand washing and/or sanitizing stations throughout the property and maintenance building.
