safe & ready plan in response to coronavirus (covid … · the national conference center safe...
TRANSCRIPT
T H E N A T I O N A L C O N F E R E N C E C E N T E R
S A F E & R E A D Y P L A N
I N R E S P O N S E T O C O R O N AV I R U S ( C O V I D - 1 9 )
Issued: JUNE 2020
18980 Upper Belmont Place • Leesburg, VA 20176 • 703.729.8000 • [email protected] • @TheNationalNoVa
At The National, our ownership, 250 employees, supportive and loyal guests, and community are the heart of
our organization. Every effort to support your health and safety remains top of mind to responsibly conduct
business with COVID-19 in the world. Our Safe & Ready Plan outlines the basic protocols adopted through-
out The National, as well as specific directions by key departments that will take place in an effort to keep
The National’s guests, staff and all visitors to The National in a safe, hospitable environment.
Our senior leadership team has meticulously reviewed every facet and area of our operations to implement
enhanced safeguards, some clearly noticeable while others invisible to our guests. Further, in the
development of the plan, multiple external resources were referenced, including but not limited to; World
Health Organization, Virginia Department of Health, Loudoun County Health Board, American Hotel Associa-
tion, International Association of Conference Centers, Centers for Disease Control, National Retail Federation
and the National Restaurant Association. We will continue to update our Safe & Ready Plan as public health
issues develop and we promise to continue to learn and adjust on the best path forward.
We are here and when you are ready, excited to welcome you back to The National.
Sincerely,
Geoff Lawson
Vice President & General Manager
The National Conference Center
A LETTER FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER
18980 Upper Belmont Place • Leesburg, VA 20176 • 703.729.8000 • [email protected] • @TheNationalNoVa
2
THE NATIONAL SAFE & READY PLAN OVERVIEW
3
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
FOOD & BEVERAGE
GUEST SERVICES
FACILITIES
HOUSEKEEPING
CONFERENCE SERVICES
EMPLOYEE & GUESTRESPONSIBILITIES
FOR UPDATES, PLEASE VISIT:
CONFERENCECENTER.COM/COVID-19
• Attend and complete COVID-19 Training programs offered by The National
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap, water, and/or use of hand sanitizer
• Adhering to proper physical distancing protocols to limit face-to-face contact, while maintaining 6
feet separation
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including wearing masks and gloves while in the
work place
• Check-in at the Wellness Station prior to the start of a shift for temperatures reading. Team members
with a temperature over 100.4°F will not be allowed to enter the property and will be directed to seek
medical care
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Staying home to self-isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, or mild fever or
have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive
• Seeking medical attention for a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
• Keeping up to date on the latest information from trusted sources such as the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the Virginia Department of Health
RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYEES
The National is eager to welcome back guests from around the world. In our efforts to keep all of our guests
and employees safe, we ask that you please reschedule your visit if any of the following are true:
• You are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or running a fever. Please seek medical attention
and contact us to reschedule your visit
• You have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• You have a compromised immune system or are considered “high-risk”
• You will not cooperate with the new requirements put in place by health officials and The National
The National will ensure that its employees are properly instructed and trained to maintain a fully sanitized
environment for our guests. Surfaces and objects will be sanitized continuously after each use and
employees will wear masks and gloves as required.
To help us maintain a safe and sanitized environment we ask our guest to observe the following courtesies:
• Keep a safe distance (at least 6 feet) at all times when in line or waiting
• Masks are worn in public areas and gloves can be worn if desired
• Please adhere to the modified elevator capacities, as indicated
RESPONSIBILITIES OF GUESTS
4
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
When possible, appointments should be conducted virtually (via Zoom, Facetime, etc). Should a customer or
visitor schedule an appointment to meet with any representative of The National, the following will apply:
• All appointments to be scheduled in advance
• During customer appointments to the property appropriate and physical distancing must be
practiced at all times
• During all appointments, and site inspections, The National will provide masks and hand sanitizer
upon greeting
• Ensure all additional staff interactions during site are done with distance
• Proper distancing during meals and entertainment
• Face-to-face meetings will be conducted in open air or outdoor environments
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS AT THE NATIONAL
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• All employees will be using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks and
gloves
• All employees will observe physical distancing and limit face-to-face contact
• Bellmen will disinfect your luggage handles before handling
• Health and hygiene signage displayed throughout the property to remind guests and employees of
social distancing recommendations, the proper way to wash hands, to cover a cough or sneeze, and
to avoid touching their faces.
• Guest elevator buttons and handrails will be cleaned continuously
• Only four people can occupy an elevator at a time. Please adhere to the modified elevator
capacities, as indicated
• Guest laundry and dry-cleaning services will be available using contact-less pick-up and delivery
protocols
OVERALL GUEST SERVICES
5
• Assigned meal periods will be instituted, specifically lunch, for groups to ensure proper distancing is
provided and to allow for timely sanitation of the space in between meal periods
• Self-serve buffets are eliminated and food items will be served by food and beverage staff
• The salad bar, deli and dessert stations will be pre-made and pre-packaged
• Individually wrapped whole fruit will be provided
• Beverage stations will include prevalent signage to enforce single use cups only
• Individually packaged lemons provided at beverage stations
• Large scale condiment pumps to replace individual bottles will be provided and served by the staff
• Silverware roll-ups will be distributed by a staff member rather than pre-set on the tables.
• Sanitation stations available to guests in convenient locations
• All food and beverage outlets will maintain a 30 minute sanitation cycle that will focus on all
commonly touched surfaces and items
• Social distancing markers placed appropriately throughout the space to encourage 6’ physical
distancing is maintained
• Dining room setup accordingly to maintain 6’ physical distancing
GUEST DINING
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• All Bartenders, servers and attendants to wear protective gloves and face masks at all times
• Sanitation practices to include the changing of gloves and hand sanitizing between each of the
following: food handling, drink making, and cash/credit transactions
• It will be mandatory to provide a fresh glass for every new drink poured for customers
• All food orders delivered from kitchen will have a plate cover added to the order
• Sanitation stations available to guests in convenient location
• Guest count and group details will determine the appropriate operations and schedule. Options
include: keeping the bar closed, opening with seating setup accordingly to maintain 6’ physical
distancing, or offering service to-go
BLACK OLIVE BAR & GRILL
Food & Beverage
6
• Elimination of self-serve food items, with new focus on pre-packaged goods
• Individually wrapped whole fruit
• Pre-packaged cut fruit to be provided on all break stations
• Individually wrapped cookies, brownies and sweets
• One touch disposable silverware to be provided on all break stations
• Elimination of plates
• Beverage stations will include prevalent signage to enforce single use cups
• Individually packaged lemons provided at beverage stations
• Sanitation stations available to guests in convenient locations
• Dispensers added for beverages, including cups, lids and stirrers
• Social distancing markers placed appropriately throughout the space to encourage 6’ physical
distancing is maintained
• Rope stanchion to mark lines, with clear instructions for the guests to maintain social distancing
• Dedicated station attendant per break station to maintain cleaning and sanitation standards
BREAK STATIONS
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Banquet service will be limited to buffet style only
• Self-serve buffets are eliminated and will be served by staff instead
• Social distancing markers placed appropriately throughout the space to encourage 6’ physical
distancing is maintained
• Preset salads will no longer be an option for banquet events
• Disposable drink covers will be used for all preset beverages on tables
• Service staff to wear appropriate PPE
• Hand sanitizer stations to be prevalent throughout the meeting space
• Seating arrangements setup accordingly to maintain 6’ physical distancing
BANQUETS
Food & Beverage
7
• Responsible for communicating the updated procedures in place during planning stages
• Conduct pre-conference meetings to include cleaning and sanitation procedures review by
appropriate department representative
• Planning or Sales representative will be available to address group in opening session to review
procedure and how to report concerns if not feeling well
• Seating capacities and floor plans to be reviewed to ensure appropriate physical distancing
PLANNING MANAGERS
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Staff must sanitize hands and wear appropriate PPE during setup and teardown, as well as prior to
entering meeting rooms when responding to service calls
• Sanitizing station inside every in-use classroom to include:
o A hand sanitizer dispenser
o A “Sanitizing Kit” including sanitizing wipes, a spray bottle with cleaning solution,
disposable cloths and gloves
• Signage in each meeting room, reminding guests of social distancing guidelines
• Meeting room touch points sanitized post setup, daily during ‘noon cleaning,’ and nightly during
every program
o Touch points include tables surfaces, chairs/chair arms, door handles, light switches,
window blind adjustment controls, audio visual and/or lighting control
panels, telephones, thermostats, trash receptacles, whiteboards, easels,
flip chart/dry erase markers, etc.
• A container of sanitized pens will be placed in the meeting rooms for guest use, as needed
• Classroom doors will be propped open every morning prior to program start for touch-less entry
• When pop-up equipment/services are requested, items will be wiped with sanitizer wipe or spray
cleaner prior to guest use
CONFERENCE SERVICES SET-UP
Conference Ser vices
8
• Staff must sanitize hands and wear appropriate PPE during setup and teardown, as well as prior to
entering meeting rooms when responding to service calls
• Meeting room equipment touch points sanitized post setup, daily during ‘noon cleaning’ and nightly
during every program
o Touch points include projector surfaces, wireless presentation mouse /laser pointer,
microphone, audio mixer, laptop, etc.
• Implement use of disposable microphone covers
• When pop-up equipment/services are requested, items will be wiped with sanitizer wipe or spray
cleaner prior to guest use
• Whenever possible, Helpdesk calls will be handled via phone and/or remote support
AUDIO VISUAL & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
Conference Ser vices
9
• Transition from reusable, washable rags to disposable cloths to clean and disinfect rooms
• 240 hand sanitizer stations in place throughout the property
• All Housekeeping and Custodial use appropriate PPE
• Staff trained with updated procedures to include CDC guidelines for disinfecting and cleaning
• Ecolab’s peroxide based Multi-Surface Cleaner and Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Wipes will be used
throughout The National to clean and disinfect
OVERVIEW
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Guest room amenities have been updated to include additional soap and alcohol-based hand
sanitizer
• Each guest room sanitized daily with focus placed on common touch points such as light switches,
toilet handles, faucet handles, remote controls, thermostat/ AC unit, door handles, closet and drawer
knobs, the iron, and refrigerator handle
• High traffic area touch points in residential public areas are sanitized multiple times per day. This
includes elevator buttons, light switches, door handles, public phones, and public restrooms
• Offer to service guest room cleaning upon request and follow social distancing guidelines
• Scheduled fogging with disinfectant on a weekly basis, or in-between guest use
• Do Not Disturb signage will not be honored at this time for the health and safety of all our guests
and employees
• Items such as extra towels, blanket, pillows, coffee maker and ice buckets will be removed from all
guest rooms and available upon request only, to minimize any cross contamination
• All requested items will be cleaned and sanitized, then bagged for delivery
GUEST ROOMS
Housekeeping
10
• High traffic area touch points in the building are sanitized multiple times per day. This includes
Business Center, elevator buttons, light switches, door handles, public phones, and public restrooms
PUBLIC SPACES
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Closed until further notice
• When reopened, disinfectant wipes will continue to be available for wiping off machines
• When reopened, sanitation stations available to guests in convenient locations
FITNESS CENTER
Housekeeping
• All found items will be disinfected, then bagged before placed in storage
LOST & FOUND
11
• Front Desk staff to distribute The National Guest Health Questionnaire to all arriving guests
• Every other Front Desk station will be used for check-in, to maintain physical distancing
• Social distancing markers placed appropriately in each queue
• Full shield, Plexiglass barriers will be installed at each Front Desk Station
• Counters and other touch points sanitized every 30 minutes
o Touch points include pen, credit card capture machine, counter surface, telephones,
printers, keyboards, scissors, etc.
• Guest room keys sanitized prior to use
• Credit card swipe on desk counter for guest use
• Sanitation practices to include glove changes and hand sanitizing between each cash transaction
and check-in and check-out process
• Capture email address for ‘no contact’ Express Check-Out via emailed folio statement
• Implement use of a ‘no contact’ key drop box for check-out
FRONT DESK
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Bell staff to maintain 6’ physical distance when greeting guests
• Sanitizing and/or hand washing before, after, and in-between tasks being performed
• Bell staff to use appropriate PPE when handling luggage or guest possession
o Gloves will be changed when providing assistance to a new guest
• Bell staff to maintain ‘no contact’ luggage retrieval from guests
o Arrival:
■ Guest allows bellman to retrieve from vehicle, or
■ Guest sets luggage down, steps away and bellman retrieves luggage
for delivery
o Departure:
■ Guest to leave luggage at guest room door for bellman
■ Bellman to load into vehicle, or
■ Bellman sets luggage down, steps away and guest retrieves luggage and departs
• Bell carts will be sanitized after each use
BELL STAFF
Faci l i t ies
12
• Engineer on call must sanitize hands and wear appropriate PPE prior to entering guest rooms,
meeting rooms and staff areas when responding to service calls
• All tools will be sanitized after use of all jobs being performed
• Staff will maintain a safe distance from guests and workmates as much as possible
• Equipment and materials coming into property will be sanitized before use
ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE
The National Conference Center COVID-19 Safe & Ready Plan
• Appropriate PPE will be worn when receiving and delivering packages
• Staff will maintain a safe distance from delivery persons
• All packages will be sanitized upon receiving
MAIL ROOM
Faci l i t ies
13