Covid Protocol

STAFF, VOLUNTEERS and INTERNS

a) All volunteers must be at minimum single vaccinated but double vaccination is preferred

b) All Staff/Volunteers must complete a COVID-19 Self Assessment Document prior to their first visit and each week before their shift.

c) Any Volunteers who answer “Yes” to any of the questions should self-isolate and inform the Bander-in-Charge (BIC) and Volunteer Coordinator of their situation to have them removed from volunteering until they have been tested negative for COVID-19.

d) Staff/Volunteers must self-monitor for symptoms when at home and prior to volunteering.

e) All staff and volunteers must stay at home if they are feeling unwell and must inform the Volunteer Coordinator immediately, so that proper protocols can be applied, if required.

f) All Volunteers must sign in upon arrival at the station.

g) Volunteers or visitors, will not be allowed in the Van Cott Cottage at anytime.

h) Volunteers and banders should maintain a distance of 2m from each other at all times when possible or a mask shall be worn.

i) Most volunteers will be involved in either extracting the birds or scribing in the banding lab;
(i) Volunteers extracting birds are not required to wear a mask unless working side by side with someone else on a net run.
(ii)Volunteers who are extracting birds will be permitted in the west end of the banding lab directly accessible from the back door. Volunteers are asked to directly hang the birds on the peg board then leave the lab. Please exit the lab immediately after placing the bagged birds on the peg board.
(iii) Before and after each net run, volunteers are required to wash their hands at the outdoor sink and use hand sanitizer, so as not to transfer any virus from contact with the bird or the bird bags.
(iv) Bird bags will only be used once per day before being washed.
(v) Volunteers who are scribing will be required to wear a mask at all times they are in the banding lab and will be seated on the other side of the plexiglass from the bander.
(vi) Each volunteer should carry their own net pole for bringing the nets down when extracting birds. Poles should be wiped down with Lysol wipes (or equivalent) at the beginning and end of the day.

j) Although sanitation wipes, hand sanitizer, and hand washing soap will be made available it is asked that all volunteers bring their own towel when possible. Volunteers will have access to the compost toilet behind the banding lab. This is only to be used by volunteers and not staff or public. Sanitation wipes and gel will be available for volunteers to wipe down areas in the bathroom that has been touched.

k) Ensure that hands are washed for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water or cleaned with an appropriate hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should not be the only method of cleaning hands after using the washroom or if hands are visibly dirty. Use soap and water as the primary method of handwashing in these instances. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with hands at all times.

l) Staff will only have access to the washrooms in the Van Cott Cottage

m) Only staff will be allowed in the Van Cott Cottage as their primary living quarters and the Fritz House for laundry and washing bird bags

n) Masks should be washed in water and soap after each use (see instructions in the bag) and ironed for sterilization.

o) Any eating should be conducted in isolation away from other volunteers and visitors. Please bring a chair if you would like to sit at a particular location outside.

p) When coughing or sneezing: cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined wastebasket and wash your hands afterwards.

q) Change into clean clothes at the end of the day and each day, if possible, to reduce the risk of potentially spreading the virus.

r) Public Washrooms are open and will be cleaned twice daily

s) Only 2-3 volunteers will work a shift each day or more as approved by the Volunteer Coordinator and BIC

VISITORS/INTERNS/GUESTS

a) The Board of Directors in consultation with the Canadian Wildlife Service have agreed that PEPtBO’s operation will be open to the public for this fall.

b) Public will be able to cycle outside the banding lab through the viewing glass area at the front to view the banding

c) No public should approach volunteers or banders within 6 feet.

d) Bird banding presentations explained from afar to public and sanitation options will be available on a table outside the banding lab.

e) No public will be allowed to walk up and down the net lanes at any time during banding operation unless a bander guided tour is authorized. Public could be asked to wear a mask during the tour.

f) Trails will be opened up to public once nets are closed.

g) If you see someone on the property, please let them know the situation. If you do not feel comfortable approaching them please inform one of the staff. You can let visitors know that the Point Traverse Trail system is open with one-way markers.

h) As we want to create a safe and healthy environment between our staff and volunteers PEPtBO will not be accepting any short-term guests at the station. Guest banders are welcome to participate but need to wear the appropriate PPE however they will be required to find accommodation elsewhere. All guest banders must contact the Volunteer Coordinator prior to their arrival.

FACILITIES

Health Canada recommends frequent cleaning of high-touch and shared surfaces using either off-the-shelf household cleaners or a homemade diluted bleach solution.

a) After each day high-touch items in the banding lab will be wiped down and cleaned.

b) Compost toilet and hand washing station will be wiped down and disinfected while wearing mask and gloves.

c) Volunteer net poles will be wiped clean at the end of the day.

d) Proper signage will be displayed indicating ‘No Public Access” or “Closed to Public” around Van Cott Cottage, Banding Lab, and any trails leading to the banding nets from roadways.

e) If using homemade bleach solution, it will be prepared according to the instructions on the label or in a ratio of 250 mL (1 cup) of water per 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of bleach. Directions assume that bleach is 5% sodium hypochlorite, to give a 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution

GOOD PRACTICES

Practice Physical Distancing

A) Physical distancing must be a top priority whenever possible.
a. Keep a distance of more than two arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others.
b. Avoid prolonged (>15 minutes) interactions in close contact (within 2 metres) with others. Prolonged exposure is defined as lasting for more than 15 minutes. The 15 minutes can be from one continuous exposure or the cumulative duration of interactions with the same individual while in the setting.
c. Avoid any crowded areas.
d. Self-isolate from colleagues and community if symptomatic and inform the bander in charge or volunteer coordinator immediately.

B) At the start and end of a shift, wipe down the desk surface, keyboard, phone and any other frequently touched equipment and surface with a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant or bleach spray.

C) Wash hands before and after eating, after using the restroom, or if touching shared surfaces within the office (i.e. door handles, shared printer keypads, coffee pots, fridge, etc.).

D) Review Health Canada’s guidance of safe food practices. Avoid sharing cutlery, dishes or other utensils and use personal ones. Thoroughly wash all shared items with soap and hot water, and then sanitize in a bleach solution and allow to dry completely before using or putting away.

E) Create a rotating schedule for use of common spaces such as kitchen and lunch room to maintain physical distancing. Each individual should wipe down cooking equipment and surfaces before and after use.