As members are currently underway with their 2021 golf season or will be opening shortly, CGSA wishes to remind members of the various COVID-19 safety protocols. Now a year into the pandemic many of these protocols may be second nature.
We thank you for your diligence in keeping the golf course a safe and enjoyable place for your course members and the public.
Please continue to monitor your public health authority or Chief Medical Officer of Health for the most up to date information for your area.
GENERAL:
- Staff should be scheduled to begin work at staggered times so that interaction is limited
- Consider having overhead doors and main doors propped open prior to staff arrival and departure; eliminating the need to touch the door handles/openers
- Staff members should wear appropriate mask or face covering prior to entry of the maintenance facility
- All staff members should sanitize or wash their hands upon entering the maintenance facility
- Staff meetings should only be held in spaces that allow for proper social distancing (6 feet or 2 metres from each other) and face coverings should be worn
- Signage should be posted at entrances reminding staff of social distancing and to wash hands or use hand sanitizers upon entry
ON THE COURSE:
- Have staff work independently as much as possible, consider having two staff members in one area so that there is eye contact between staff members for safety reasons
- Each staff member should be provided with their own golf cart or piece of equipment, or to maintain appropriate social distance (2m) between staff members
- Some locations may require face coverings by staff when performing their duties
- Remove and/or close all water filling stations
- Remove benches, ball washers and towels
- Communications should be done by radio or text messaging, if by radio that should be fully sanitized prior to and following use
PERSONNEL:
- Disinfecting wipes or spray should be provided in restroom and locker room facilities
- Disinfecting wipes and sprays should be provided in the lunchroom or locker room to wipe down fridge handles, countertops and tables after touch
- Staff are encouraged to eat in their vehicle or outside; if indoors, proper social distancing should be employed (2m away from others)
- Assign a staff member to wipe down high traffic areas (i.e. door handles, light switches, etc.) periodically throughout the day
- Staff uniforms should be laundered prior to each shift
- No visitors allowed at the workplace
OPERATIONS:
- Alternative methods should be used to limit touchpoints in the cup; i.e. turning cup so that it is raised, using a pool noodle to raise the height or use one of many solutions available in the marketplace
- All ball washers and rakes should be removed from the course
- Consider removing the benches from the course to prevent congregation areas
- Assign one cart or piece of equipment per person for the day and each cart should be equipped with disinfecting wipes or a disinfectant solution should be easily accessible. Should staff be assigned to one cart an appropriate face covering must be worn by both
- Sanitize high touch areas of the golf cart/equipment including high touch points (steering wheel, gear shifter, ignition key, mower controls and switches) before and after use
- Only equipment technicians should be in the area assigned for equipment maintenance, all tools should be disinfected prior to and after use
- Fueling stations should be sanitized prior to use and immediately after filling up
- Staff shall only use assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), do not share equipment
- Use existing inventory before ordering and taking delivery of additional products and limit deliveries to avoid minimal contact with staff
Staff should not come into work if they are feeling ill under any circumstances.
PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES:
It is imperative that these public health measures are instituted for the protection of employees and the public who may visit;
- Be sure to follow the local public health advice
- Practice good hygiene including; hand washing, avoid touching your face, coughing and sneezing into your sleeve and disinfecting any high touch areas
- Maintain physical distancing of 2 metres as much as possible
- Wear a face covering that covers both the nose and chin; particularly where physical distancing is difficult
- Reduce all non-essential travel
- If you are unwell, stay at home and self isolate – contact your health care practitioner or public health agency for further guidelines
