This document provides guidance for preventing transmission of COVID-19 to operators of Exotic Show Lounges. It is based upon current knowledge and it should be understood that guidance is subject to change as new data becomes available and new developments arise with this new virus; furthermore, unique situations may require some discretion in adjusting these guidelines which are meant to be supportive, not prescriptive.
COVID-19 Exotic Show Lounge Guidelines for re-opening plans
Exotic Show Lounge Guidelines for re-opening plans
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by a newly identified virus. The infection has symptoms similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold: cough, sneezing, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms can include fatigue, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache or lost sense of smell. While most people infected with COVID-19 experience only mild illness, severe illness can occur in some people, especially in those with weaker immune systems, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions.
How is COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19 is spread through liquid droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus in these droplets can enter through the eyes, nose or mouth of another person if they are in close contact with the person who coughed or sneezed. COVID-19 mat travel through particles in the air but is not something that can enter the body through the skin.
Information about developing a safety plan
Pubs and Restaurants have been issued a set of protocols for developing opening plans. Exotic show lounges fall into this category with a few extra considerations. You can find more information about the food and drink service protocols at this link: Food and Drink Service Requirements
A combination of those requirements and the following industry specific guidelines you should be able to create a plan which protects you, your employees and your patrons.
Where can I get more Information about COVID-19?
The province of British Columbia has created a phone service to provide nonmedical information about COVID-19 which is available from 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or via text message at 604-630-0300. More information on COVID-19 can also be found online:
Vancouver Coastal Health http://www.vch.ca/covid-19
BC Centre for Disease Control http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
Site Management
Goal: Modify daily operations and the physical environment to minimize the potential for COVID-19 to spread in an Exotic Show lounge.
The following guidelines are offered for use when building of your plan;
Considerations
- Create a clear policy about social distancing between staff members and between staff and patrons.
- Provide a supply of hand sanitizer at the entrance to the facility
- Reduce number of patrons and staff to ensure people can social distance adequately. Exotic Dancing is considered an “event” and as such there is a limit of 50 patrons during a single performance.
- Multiple Events are allowed per day so the number of patrons is not limited to 50 per day but rather to 50 per performance.
- Consider a PVC screen of 3ft around the stage to prevent transmission between patrons and stage performers
- Increased ventilation can work to keep airflow moving and minimize transmission of virus. (i.e. opening doors) Use of fans is not recommended as they could spread virus traces around the performance and seating areas.
- Install shields (e.g. plexiglass) at main bar to protect staff when interacting with patrons and collecting payments.
- Consider closing “at bar service” to prevent line ups forming at the bar. Instead consider having serving staff serve patrons at their tables only.
- Washrooms and showers must have liquid soap, paper towels and warm running water at all times.
- Increase floor space by removing unnecessary furniture and decorative items.
- Consider developing specialized checklists staff can use to evaluate your COVID19 measures and help people to understand the new policies.
- Consider having Door/Security staff on all shifts to ensure numbers of patrons are at a level to allow social distancing.
- Personal Protective Equipment (mask, face shield, gloves & goggles etc.) for employees conducting regular duties are not mandatory unless 2 meter distancing cannot be maintained.
- Consider using Personal Protective Equipment (mask, face shield, gloves & goggles etc.) for VIP dances or in other cases where dancers come into closer contact with patrons. These face shields should be disinfected between dances.
- Create clear policies and protocol for interactions between patrons and dancers. Clear outlines of what they can and cannot do within physical distancing guidelines.
- Consider using Plexiglas barriers around VIP dance stations to protect patrons and dancers from transmission of the virus.
- Both dancer and patron wearing masks, plexi glass or 6 feet of distancing between patron and dancer in VIP areas is required. One of these options must be in place for VIP dancing in your safety plan.
Physical distancing
Goal: To increase the space between people (patrons, staff and managers) to eliminate potential transmission of the virus.
- Spacing of tables to allow no less than 6 ft between parties of patrons and ensure people can physically distance adequately. Parties of patrons must not exceed 6 people.
- Spacing in VIP dancing areas should be spaced no less than 6 feet between service areas to prevent crowding
- Mark the floor in both areas of the show lounge to ensure people can see the distances clearly. Mark 6 foot increments on floors where crowds normally form and 6 foot increments between furniture/seats.
Signage
Goal: use signs in employee areas and reception to communicate important information about COVID-19.
- Place signs at entrances telling anyone entering not to enter if they are feeling ill.
- Post physical distancing signs in common areas.
- Post hand washing signs in washrooms and changing rooms.
- Ensure signs contain clear language that is easy to understand.
- When possible, use signs that include diagrams and pictures.
- The following are links to signs you can simply print and post in your business;
http://www.vch.ca/Documents/FSE%20COVID%20Poster.pdf
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID19-Prevention.pdf http://www.vch.ca/Documents/COVID19-Docs_Handwash.pdf http://www.vch.ca/Documents/FSE%20COVID%20Poster.pdf
Sanitation
Goal: Increase cleaning and disinfection of common touch points to prevent COVID-19 from spreading through contaminated surfaces.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures – cleaning VIP areas between dances, cleaning bathroom areas periodically throughout the shift, cleaning the stage area and all props between shows/ “events”, cleaning all surfaces frequently touched and using a bleach solution or equivalent disinfectant which is strong enough to remove traces of the virus.
- Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas (door handles, faucets, bathrooms, handrails, chairs and tables).
- Create a checklist of all high-touch surfaces that must be cleaned, determine the frequency of cleaning/ disinfection and who is responsible for cleaning based on your facility’s needs.
- Record when cleaning and disinfection has occurred and by whom.
- Consider having separate cleaning supplies for different areas of the business.
- Provide multiple plastic lined waste containers to dispose of used tissues, wipes, gloves, and other cleaning materials.
- When cleaning bathrooms and changing rooms, if possible, avoid production of aerosols (e.g. spraying with hose or power-washer). Instead, use a mop or brush.
- Lockers and cubbies used by dancers to store personal belongings should be cleaned and disinfected between uses (consider providing wipes for this purpose).
- Dish washer/ glass washer – ensure disinfectant/ bleach levels are sufficient to remove any trace of virus.
- Tables and bar top – clean between each customer using disinfectant/ bleach solution sufficient to remove and trace of virus.
The following are links to information about disinfectants and their use;
Employee Sickness and return to work policies
Goal: To maintain healthy workers and protecting patrons by ensuring that sick employees remain home for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms and do not return to work until safe to do so.
Considerations;
- Using the BC Centre for Disease Control Self Assessment Tool to screen staff often.
- Ensure all staff members understand that if they are sick, they should stay home!
- Consider creating a policy which reassures staff that they should stay home when they are sick or showing Covid-19 symptoms and they will not loose their job.
- Develop an employee illness plan that is communicated to all staff.
- Have employees declare they are symptom-free when signing in for the day. If employees have any symptoms, even mild symptoms they should go home.
- Consider using a “ no contact” thermometer to test staff before entrance to the business. Any reading of 100F or over should be considered a risk.
- No health information of a personal nature should be kept or stored for any purpose.
- If while at work, an employee starts experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness consistent with COVID-19, even if symptoms are mild, ask the employee to don a mask and to leave work immediately, go straight home, and have them contact their family physician/primary care provider or 8-1-1 for further guidance.
- Ensure that objects and surfaces touched by sick employees are disinfected before being used by others.
- Tell your employees that if they are sick with any symptoms of respiratory illness consistent with cold, influenza or COVID-19, even if symptoms are mild, they must not work, remain at home, and contact Health Link BC at 8-1-1.
- Anyone with symptoms can now be assessed and receive a COVID-19 test.
- Testing is not recommended for people who do not have symptoms.
- If an employee has a COVID-19 diagnosis, the local public health department will identify any co-workers who may have been exposed to the sick employee.
- The employer and employees should be reassured that if they haven’t been contacted by public health then there is no issue or concern that was identified by public health.
Training for managers and employees
Goal: Provide training to all employees so they understand how to protect themselves and patrons from COVID-19.
Considerations;
- Train all employees about the virus so they know how to minimize its spread.
- Train all employees about the BC Centre for Disease Control Self Assessment Tool and how to use it.
- Employees must wash their hands at the start of their shift, between each client, before eating or drinking, after touching shared items, after using the washroom, and before leaving work.
- Employees should follow cough and sneeze etiquette.
- Employees should avoid touching their face without first cleaning their hands.
- There should be no sharing of cigarettes or vaping equipment.
- Staff training sessions should be done in small groups with adequate physical distancing, or online.
- Consider providing electronic COVID-19 resources to all employees.
- Communicate information in multiple languages.
- Make sure any person required to carry out enhanced cleaning has received the appropriate training, including how to use disinfectants.
Thank you for being a Show Lounge Operator!
We appreciate the jobs you provide and hope to help you get back in business soon! If you have any questions or need help with creating an “Opening Plan” for your business, please do not hesitate to contact us!
– Susan Davis BCCEC susan.1968@hotmail.com