Internal Protocol for the Covid-19 Coronavirus outbreak

at 54 Santa Catarina Apartaments

 

 

FRAMEWORK

 

Following the National Plan for Preparing and Responding to COVID-19 Disease caused by the new Corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) and the guidelines given by the Authority of Portuguese Tourism and the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) to mitigate epidemiological developments, AMGI adopts this Internal Protocol.

 

GOALS

 

• establish a set of standards for the prevention, control and surveillance of COVID-19 Disease to be followed by AMGI employees
• make known to clients and suppliers the COVID-19 Disease prevention, control and surveillance rules applied in the establishment
• guarantee the total hygiene of the establishment

 

1. PREVENTION PROCEDURES

 

On the premises

 

Signs and information

 

• All AMGI Employees were provided with specific information and / or training on:
• Internal protocol for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak
• How to comply with basic infection prevention and control precautions for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak, including the following procedures:
• hand hygiene: wash the hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that has at least 70º of alcohol, covering all surfaces of the hands and rubbing them until they are dry
• respiratory rules: coughing or sneezing on the flared forearm or using a tissue, which should then be immediately thrown away; hand hygiene always after coughing or sneezing and after blowing; avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with the hands
• social conduct: changing the frequency and form of contact between workers and between them and customers, avoiding (when possible) close contact, handshakes, kisses, shared jobs, face-to-face meetings and food sharing, utensils, cups and towels
• How to comply with daily self-monitoring to assess fever, check for cough or difficulty breathing
• How to comply with the guidelines of the Directorate-General for Health for cleaning surfaces and treating clothes in the establishment

 

• For all Customers, specific information is available by email and / or SMS or on site:
• Internal protocol for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak – available online on the establishment’s website through QR codes placed in common areas
• How to comply with the basic precautions for prevention and infection control in relation to the outbreak of corona virus COVID-19, namely personal conduct (hand hygiene, respiratory label) and social conduct (wearing a mask in common areas and a distance of 2 meters) – available on the spot through posters posted and by letter to be read and signed by the client (self check-in)
• Comply with daily self-monitoring of fever, check for cough or difficulty breathing
• How to perform self check-in and self check-out (the access key to the apartment is sanitized before and after delivery) – see Attachment I

 

• All Suppliers were provided with specific information on:
• Internal protocol for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak (by email)
• When delivering goods, all material is left in the area defined for that purpose, duly marked (the material will be received and transported by an employee designated by AMGI)
• Entry is only allowed for the collection / delivery of clothes that work on an outsourcing basis (external laundry), respecting the hand hygiene rules
• Receipt of invoices / guides is made, whenever possible, in electronic format
• Any meeting will take place on the phone

 

• List of contacts: employees and official entities

 

• Inês Soares: 927 501 516
• Patrícia Torres: 919 980 206
• Rafaela Costa: 934 955 116
• SNS24: 808 24 24 24
• Local Health Authority: 218 424 800

 

Hygiene plan

 

The hygiene plan established by AMGI – followed by the employees duly trained for the purpose and verified by the Head of the cleaning sector – complies with the following rules:

• Cleaning of frequent touch surfaces using detergent followed by disinfectant: 6 times a day (door handles and light switches); 4 times a day (lobby and reception; phones, pc keyboard and ATM are disinfected with surface disinfectant); 2 times a day (laundry and toilet for the exclusive use of employees)
• On furniture or metal surfaces that are not compatible with bleach and to prevent corrosion or damage, surface disinfectant is used as follows: a spray disinfectant is used and each surface is disinfected; after disinfecting, the surface has to air dry, because it is necessary for the surface to stay wet for a few minutes for disinfection to be effective
• Wet cleaning is given priority, taking into account the following assumptions: the bucket and mop for the floor are cleaned and disinfected at the end of each use; different bucket and mop are used depending on the place of use (there is a bucket and mop to be used only in bathrooms, another bucket and mop to be used only in bed rooms / living rooms and another bucket and mop to be used only in common areas)
• Floor washing is carried out 4 times a day (lobby and stairs), 2 times a day (reception, laundry and toilet for use by employees) using hot water and detergent, followed by disinfection with bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite solution with concentration of at least 5% of free chlorine) diluted in cold water
• Apartments are subject to a 24-hour rest period between the last stay and the arrival of a new client
• The cleaning team ensures good ventilation and air circulation during and after hygiene procedures
• The cleaning of the apartments takes place at different times: 1^st, the team responsible for removing clothes takes part; after an interval of 2 hours, the team responsible for cleaning floors and surfaces and placing clothes takes action.
• For the removal of bed linen and towels, the following rules were established by AMGI: do not shake the bed linen; remove it without shaking it, rolling it from the inside out, making a “wrap”; do not touch clothing against the body; put the laundry in a waterproof bag, close it tightly and transport immediately the bag to the laundry room on the ground floor.
• For the cleaning of the apartments, the following rules were established by AMGI: from top to bottom and from cleaner to dirtier areas in the following order: walls and ceiling, surfaces above the floor (benches, chairs,…), equipment, WC, floor.
• For the common disinfection of surfaces, the following rules were established by AMGI: 1^st wash with water and detergent; 2^nd apply bleach and let it act for 10min; 3^rd rinse only with hot water and allow to air dry.
• Cleaning is carried out with different cloths depending on the areas to be cleaned, namely: cloth for cleaning the washbasins (pink); cloth for cleaning the exterior of the toilets (blue color); the inside of the toilets is cleaned with toilet brush
• The dishes used by customers are washed in the washing machine with detergent at high temperature (80-90ºC)
• Cleaning and disinfection products remain properly labeled, closed and preserved in their original packaging, stored in a closed place and properly identified
• The cleaning team ensures compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions and instructions on labels and technical sheets
• After cleaning, the cleaning team ensures the washing, disinfection and drying of all cleaning and disinfection utensils and equipment
• The cleaning team places the masks, gloves and tissues in the undifferentiated garbage, never in the ecoponto
• Air renovation of spaces is done regularly, using the opening of doors and windows or if air conditioning is used, it will be programmed for the extraction mode
• Sheets will only be changed 3 hours after the clients leave the apartment and they cannot return to the apartment before the cleaning team leaves. Procedures for removing bed linen and towels should be followed.
• Towel exchange is carried out as follows:

– the bag with the new clothes is left outside the customers’ apartment

– customers leave dirty towels in closed bags, as well as garbage outside the apartment

– the bags are collected and immediately placed in the laundry room and in the waste bin, correspondingly

• Towel change bags must include, in addition to clean towels, toilet paper and amenities, plastic bags for customers to put dirty clothes and trash
• Cleaning will not be carried out during the customers’ stay.

 

Hygiene equipment

• Dispensers of alcohol-based antiseptic solution or alcohol-based solution are available, distributed as follows: at the lobby and on each floor / level of the building, duly marked and with recommendation for hand hygiene by DGS
• Liquid hand washing soap and paper towels are available in the staff toilet

 

 

FOR EMPLOYEES

 

Training Program

 

• All AMGI Employees were provided with specific information and / or training on:
• Internal protocol for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak
• How to comply with basic infection prevention and control precautions for the COVID-19 corona virus outbreak, including the following procedures:
• hand hygiene: wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that has at least 70º of alcohol, covering all surfaces of the hands and rubbing them until they are dry
• respiratory rules: coughing or sneezing on the flared forearm or using a tissue, which should then be immediately thrown away; hand hygiene always after coughing or sneezing and after blowing; avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with your hands
• social conduct: changing the frequency and form of contact between workers and between them and customers, avoiding (when possible) close contact, handshakes, kisses, shared jobs, face-to-face meetings and food sharing, utensils , cups and towels
• How to comply with daily self-monitoring to assess fever, check for cough or difficulty breathing
• How to comply with the guidelines of the Directorate-General for Health for cleaning surfaces and treating clothes in the establishment
• AMGI’s cleaning staff received training on the products used in the establishment (detergents and disinfectants), the precautions to be taken when handling, diluting and applying them in safe conditions, how to protect themselves during cleaning procedures and how to ensure good ventilation during cleaning and disinfection

 

Equipment – Personal Protection

 

• The cleaning collaborators, both in charge of the treatment of bed linen and those in charge of cleaning the rooms, use the following protective equipment: plastic apron over the uniform; non-reusable type I surgical mask; protection spectacles; disposable gloves; disposable foot covers
• At the end of the day, the employees’ uniforms are washed separately in the machine and at high temperatures (around 60ºC)
• Front desk professionals use the following protective equipment: protection spectacles; reusable mask.

 

Appointment of those responsible

 

• 2 collaborators were appointed by AMGI (the second acts in the absence of the first) as responsible for:
• Activate the procedures in accordance with this Internal Protocol complemented by the AMGI Contingency Plan in case of suspected infection, whether you are an employee or a customer
• Indicate by telephone the employee who must attend the person with symptoms to the isolation area and provide the necessary assistance, while the person in charge contacts the National Health Service (SNS 24)
• Manage the team (compliance and monitoring of the hygiene plan)

 

Conduct

 

• All AMGI employees were instructed to carry out daily self-monitoring to assess fever, cough or difficulty breathing

 

Behaviors adopted by AMGI staff:

 

• disinfect the hands on arrival, several times a day and before departure
• change clothes and disinfect the shoes in the area defined for the purpose (store the clothes, put on the uniform and put on the shoes used only in the establishment)
• not entering and leaving the establishments in uniform
• keep the hair up
• avoid the excessive use of personal ornaments (bracelets, threads, rings, etc.)
• keep the distance between employees and customers and avoid physical contacts, including handshakes

 

Stock of cleaning / sanitizing materials and PPE’s

 

• Cleaning products: H10 (sanitary), H30 (glass and surfaces), H40 (floors) H70 (degreaser)
• Disinfectant products: C70 (hand disinfectant gel); bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite) with original concentration of 5% free chlorine; spray disinfectant surfaces
• 100L heavy duty plastic bags
• enough personal protective equipment: plastic apron; non-reusable type I surgical mask; reusable mask; protection spectacles; disposable gloves; disposable caps; disposable foot covers; isolation complete suit

 

Scales / Shifts

• Employee meal breaks / times are organized in order not to match

 

FOR CUSTOMERS

Equipment – Personal Protection

• All customers must wear a mask on the premises of the establishment, which is made available to them, in case they need

 

2. PROCEDURES IN CASE OF SUSPECTED INFECTION

 

PRACTICE PLAN

 

• The responsible person will designate by phone the employee who will have to attend the suspected infection (client or worker) to the isolation area and provide the necessary assistance, while the responsible person informs the employer by telephone to alert them to the situation and then contact the National Health Service (SNS 24: 808 24 24 24)
• The responsible person will coordinate the reinforcement of cleaning and disinfection whenever there are patients suspected of infection, especially on surfaces frequently handled and most used by the same, as indicated by DGS
• The isolation area (apartment where the client is staying, staying in the bed room and other guests who are with him/her in the living room, being necessary to disinfect the toilet after use; if it is a studio, keep a distance of 2 meters; in the case of being a worker, there is an apartment for this purpose) intended for people who can be detected as suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 has the following conditions: natural ventilation; smooth and washable coverings (no curtains or carpet); bathroom; paper wipes; surgical masks, disinfectant gel and disposable gloves; thermometer (record sheet and pen); waste container (pedal and with plastic bag); waste bags; collection bags for used clothing; stock of cleaning materials; kit with water and some non-perishable foods
• The circuit to go to the isolation area will be made in coordination with the reception team so that it is as short as possible, avoiding the crossing of people
• AMGI has no legal duty to extend or offer the stay to the guest that will be confirmed as infected by Covid-19 by the health authorities.

 

DECONTAMINATION OF THE INSULATION PLACE

 

• The decontamination of the isolation area, as indicated by the Directorate-General for Health, is carried out as follows: 1^st prepare the bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite); 2^nd wash the surfaces first with water and detergent, then spread the bleach solution evenly on the surfaces and leave to act for at least 10 minutes; 3^rd rinse only with hot water and allow to air dry
• The storage of waste produced by patients suspected of infection is placed in a plastic bag that, after being closed, must be placed in another plastic bag and, finally, placed in the unsorted waste. Note: not only the waste in the isolation room, but all waste, for instance plastic bottles, must comply with this procedure.

 

Attachment I

Self check-in procedures:

 

– send sms / whatsapp to the customer the day before self check-in with the following information:

• instructions for self check-in
• how to get to the apartments from the airport, either by public transport or by car
• availability of a kit consisting of 2 masks, 2 bottles of disinfectant gel and 2 pairs of gloves that can be purchased, simply by requesting it by email or by SMS / whatsapp. Note: the kit is placed in the apartment after cleaning / disinfection or at the APT door, if requested during the stay
• access to a video to do the self check-in (apartment features and information about Lisbon)

– place the key after it has been programmed in the safe (instruct the customer of the need to disinfect their hands before opening the safe)

– place the Welcome Letter and the Registration Form in the apartment, indicating the amount of the tourist tax to be paid. In the Welcome Letter, customers will be informed of the following:

1. Sheets will only be changed for stays longer than 5 nights. Please note that the sheets will only be changed 3 hours after leaving the apartment and cannot be returned until the cleaning team leaves.
2. The change of towels is carried out every 2 days as follows:

– the bag with the new clothes is left at the door;

– inside the bag you will find several plastic bags: one must not put dirty towels and close it before placing it at the door; in another, you must place the closed garbage bag which, in turn, must also be closed before being placed at the door; garbage for recycling follows the same procedure;

– the bags will be collected by our cleaning team.

3. No cleaning will be carried out.

– follow-up the check-in the next day, sending sms / whatsapp to the customer

– send sms / whatsapp to the customer the day before the self check-out to give the instructions for making the self check-out (leave the key in the apartment and, if necessary, ask the reception to arrange an airport transfer)