Covid-19

The aim of our Action Plan is to prevent any incidences of COVID-19, while the Suspected Case Management Plan works to effectively manage and contain any suspicious cases to protect our staff and guests. Our plans comply with the recommendations of EODY and will be revised according to any forthcoming developments.

We aim to use our new guidelines to protect staff and guests, while ensuring all necessary measures are in place to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

Our measures are indicated below:

Personal Hygiene Measures and Personal Protective Equipment

Our management team has taken measures to instil excellent personal hygiene practices for all employees (including third party contractors)

in the workplace and oversees continued compliance.

These measures entail the following:

All staff will be trained and expected to comply with excellent personal and respiratory hygiene practices. This includes thorough and frequent washing of hands. The use of protective face masks will be mandatory to ensure mouths and noses are covered if coughing or sneezing is to occur.

We will provide all required resources, such as hand-washing equipment: antiseptic solutions (in the form of liquid, foam, gel, soaked wipes) and hand drying materials (disposable paper-towels) for workers. We will install hand-sanitising mechanisms at all entrance and exit points of the hotel, with a focus on spaces where staff interact with the general public.

We will supply personnel with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): masks, face-shields, gloves, protection fillets, etc., in line with the directions of EODY, the National Committee for Public Health Protection.

We will maintain adequate levels of PPE stock.

Staff will be trained on the safe use of PPE following EODY guidance, and the supervision of their proper use will be ongoing.

The presence of third parties (e.g., customers, associates, distributors, etc.) in the hotel will be fully supervised; they will be requested to follow social distancing guidelines and to expected to use PPE.

We have developed a daily shift pattern for employees that aims to avoid congesting common spaces and ensures the observance of social distancing.

Communication with staff will be clear, continual, and convenient: verbalised information, posted announcements, and signs reinforcing preventative measures and personal hygiene standards will be prevalent.

Staff will be trained to identify and alert appropriate authorities if they witness any symptoms of COVID-19; they will immediately initiate isolation for the affected party. Should an incidence occur, staff will know how to thoroughly disinfect contaminated areas.

Protocol for a Suspected Case is as follows:

1) The person will isolate in their room with the door closed.
2) They will immediately be provided with a simple surgical mask to protect them along with tissues.
3) If a companion wishes to isolate with them, a simple surgical mask will be provided for them. Guidance will be issued to wash their hands meticulously after each contact with the suspicious case and to avoid touching their face.
4) It is forbidden for staff members to enter the room and only one member of the staff deals with the client’s requests.
5) Used PPE is discarded in a locked container.
6) After the disposal of PPE, meticulous hand washing must follow.

Track & Trace

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we will be keeping a record of the contact details of all personnel and guests staying at the hotel. All data will comply with General Date Protection Regulations (GDPR) and will enable us to track anyone who may have been in contact with an infected person.

Employees

All staff will strictly comply with all protection measures against Covid-19. In particular, employees must maintain good personal and respiratory hygiene practices. They will be expected to do the following:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 40 seconds.
• Wash hands before and after contact with money or luggage; before eating; after a work break; after a toilet break.
• Dry hands carefully with disposable paper towels and dispose of towels in provided bins.
• Alternatively, the use of alcohol-based antiseptics with either a 60% content of ethyl alcohol or a 70% content of isopropyl alcohol is permitted to sanitise hands.
• Cover the nose and mouth during coughing or sneezing with a tissue. If this is not possible, sneeze into your elbow.
• Dispose paper towels or other personal hygiene items used to disinfect work surfaces in a closed bin.
• Avoid shaking hands and close physical contact, maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres from colleagues, customers or third parties in all workplaces, hotel rooms and rest areas.
• Avoid touching the front of the mask or face-shield.
• Inform a health officer in case of illness or symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection or of any contact with a possible or confirmed case.
• Stay at home in case of illness and inform a health officer.
• Return to work is only permitted after a period of isolation of 14 days and a negative COVID-19 test result.

• Employees will have their temperature taken daily. A record of this will be kept in an official document.

Reception Area

• Social distancing will be maintained at all times. Staff will keep a distance of at least 2,00 meters from guests.
• Reception will be happy to provide guests with information on the hotel’s COVID-19 safety plan, along with useful information about health care providers, public and private hospitals, reference hospitals for COVID-19 and pharmacies in the local area.
• We are happy to provide Personal Protective Equipment if requested by guests.
• Special medical equipment in the case of an incident is located at reception. The equipment includes gloves and disposable masks, antiseptics, cleaning wipes, apron, long-sleeved robes, and a laser thermometer. Dedicated staff are trained in the handling of these materials.
• Staff at reception are able to identify symptoms in guests and are instructed to report them directly to the health care officer.
• Hand-sanitiser for the use of guests will be available at the desk.
• All surfaces of the reception will be regularly disinfected.
• The reception desk has been relocated to maintain social distancing.
• Avoidance of congestion during check-in / check-out.
• Online check-in via email is available one day prior to arrival. Similarly, online check-out via email is also available. This helps us to avoid overcrowding at the reception area and maintains physical distancing.
• When paying with a credit card, the card is placed in a special box for the use of the receptionist. Antiseptic to disinfect the card after use is provided. However, we encourage the use of e-payments, electronic invoices and receipts to minimise risk. We accept cash in exceptional cases.
• Room keys are disinfected after each stay and placed in a special container.
•  Extended check-in and check-out times will be in operation in order to avoid overcrowding and allow sufficient cleaning time. Check-out will be until 11:00, while Check-in is at 15:00. This will enable staff to thoroughly disinfect and ventilate guest rooms.
• Third-party access to guest rooms is strictly forbidden.

Housekeeping

Sanitary services are being strengthened in all public areas, especially in “high risk” facilities.

• Cleaning staff use a simple surgical mask and gloves while cleaning rooms.
• After removing PPE, it is necessary for cleaning staff to dispose of them in a sealed bin and to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• While cleaning, staff will be instructed to not touch their face with their hands. Smoking and eating will also be prohibited.
• All hard surfaces, floors, chairs, door-handles, etc. are cleaned and disinfected with disposable cloths or cleaning paper and detachable mops.
• Discarded equipment is treated as a contagious contaminant and discarded in special bags.
• 0.1% sodium hypochlorite is used after cleaning with a neutral detergent. For surfaces that are likely to be damaged by the use of sodium hypochlorite, it is necessary to use ethanol at a concentration of 70% after cleaning with a neutral detergent. As an extra precaution, we use certified biocide liquids for the safety of staff and guests.
• When using disinfectants, the space is well ventilated.
• For cleanliness and disinfection in the event of an accident all surfaces that may have been contaminated and all objects that are visibly contaminated with body fluids, are washed and disinfected according to the above guidelines.
• Thorough cleaning and excellent room ventilation are exercised during the hours between stays.
• The good operation of dishwashers and washing machines in terms of the temperature used and the dosage of detergents is checked.
• The sufficiency of personnel PPE equipment (gloves, masks, robe, closed shoes, etc.) is checked.
• Decorative objects, notebooks, leaflets etc will be removed from all rooms.
• A special disposable cover (zipper) is placed on the TV and air conditioner controls after disinfection.
• All fabric surfaces are cleaned with a steaming device (temperatures of more than 70 degrees).
• Doors and windows will be opened daily to allow natural ventilation of the rooms.
• Liquid antiseptics are placed in each room for indoor use.
• There is a dispenser with antiseptic fluid for daily use inside the room.

Unless requested by guests, housekeeping services will not be provided for the duration of the stay. This is in order to avoid contact between cleaning staff and guests and to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

Upon departure of a guest, a room will be cleaned and allowed to sit vacant for 24 hours before further occupancy.
If the room is required on the same day, an intensive cleaning regimen is in place for rooms and bathrooms.

Kitchens

• We are implementing HACCP guidelines in order to ensure the safe provision of our delicious breakfast. This includes the recording of temperatures and prepared food lists.
  All kitchen staff will be in PPE and will maintain social distancing.
  Receipt of deliveries will be by a designated staff member who will always be wearing appropriate PPE.
  Observance of FIFO procedure (first in – first out).
  Keeping distances between kitchen workers according to the requirements of the health authorities.
  Any visitors will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment at the entrance of the kitchen.

Air Conditioning and Ventilation

• • Increasing the supply of fresh air to all Central Air Conditioning Units (KKM).
  • Avoiding the recirculation of air.
  • Continuous operation of KKM (24/7) even if the power supply is not working, to avoid multiplication of microorganisms.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation of all outdoor areas.
  • The replacement of filters for KKM and household units will be done according to planned maintenance and the work will be performed taking all protective measures (personal protective equipment, space ventilation, safe collection of replaced filters ), including respiratory protection.

Pool and Jacuzzis

• • The water will be frequently recirculated; once every 4 hours minimum.
  • Frequent chlorine measurements will be taken to control chlorine levels.
  • Water will be changed frequently.
  • pH levels of the water will be controlled.

All measures will be strictly observed to ensure the highest standards in both water quality and hygiene.

COVID-19 Suspected Case Management Plan

If a guest displays symptoms of COVID-19, the following applies:

• • 1. The hotel’s health officer communicates with the Medical Centre Santorini, which will evaluate the incident. If deemed necessary, a COVID-19 test is performed and if positive, EODY is immediately informed about the case and instructions are given to deal with it.
    2. The person will isolate in their room with the door closed.
    3.  They will immediately be provided with a simple surgical mask to protect them along with tissues.
    4. If a companion wishes to isolate with them, a simple surgical mask will be provided for them. Guidance will be issued to wash their hands meticulously after each contact with the suspicious case and to avoid touching their face.
    5.  It is forbidden for staff members to enter the room and only one member of the staff deals with the client’s requests.
    6.  Used PPE is discarded in a locked container.
    7.  After the disposal of PPE, meticulous hand washing must follow.

If an employee displays symptoms of COVID-19, the following applies:

• • 1. The hotel’s health officer communicates with the Medical Centre Santorini, which will evaluate the incident. If deemed necessary, a COVID-19 test is performed and if positive, EODY is immediately informed about the case and instructions are given to deal with it.
    2. The person will isolate in their room with the door closed.
    3.  They will immediately be provided with a simple surgical mask to protect them, along with tissues.
    4.  Used PPE is discarded in a locked container.
    5.  After the disposal of PPE, meticulous hand washing must follow.

Patient Room Cleaning and Disinfection

• • • Good cleaning of surfaces, often touched by the patient, especially if the surfaces are soiled with biological fluids.
    • The cleaning staff use a simple surgical mask, gloves and a disposable waterproof robe.
    • After removing the gloves, thorough hand washing follows.
    • The fabric surfaces are cleaned with a steaming device (temperatures of more than 70 degrees).

Collaboration with MEDICAL CENTRE SANTORINI

As part of health measures against the COVID-19 virus, Avista Suites is working with Medical Centre Santorini to provide customers and staff with the following services:

• • • 24/7 access to Medical Phone Center
    • Possibility of testing for COVID-19  (PCR TEST) at the Medical Centre Santorini with a microbiologist.
    • Access to Antibody Testing for COVID-19. The Rapid Test detects IgM / IgG antibodies in the early and late index and is obtained by taking only a few drops of blood. Results are available within 15 minutes.
    • 24/7 availability of a Doctor at the Hotel to deal with all medical incidents of employees and customers within 1 hour.