Covid-19

Covid-19 Protocols at Dark Sky New Mexico

official policy – Updated August 30, 2021

SECTION 1: Introduction 

OVERVIEW 

In the face of the extraordinary challenges caused by COVID-19 and in step with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s Executive Order (dated August 20, 2021) Dark Sky New Mexico is doing its part to take precautions to remain safe and maintain the highest standards for living with COVID-19 by enacting these standards and best practices.

Section 2: Standards for Visitors

1. All vaccinated visitors are able to fully access all facilities and participate in all events. Visitors must prove their vaccination status prior to their arrival by submitting a photocopy of their vaccination card and demonstrating they have been fully vaccinated with a CDC approved vaccine not less than fourteen days prior to their proposed arrival date.

2. Unvaccinated persons will not be permitted access to the facility. Exceptions will be made based on documented religious or medical reasons. Such documentation must be submitted to the site manager (nmhokie2@gmail.com) not less than fourteen days prior to the visitor’s proposed arrival date.”

Section 3: Best Practices

Dark Sky New Mexico will:

  • Limit operations to remote work to the greatest extent possible.

  • Arrange workplace to provide for 6 feet of distance between individuals wherever possible.

  • Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate wherever possible or modify them to minimize contact.

  • Provide for all meetings to take place remotely whenever possible.

  • Ensure all employees have face coverings or masks and wear them in the workplace at all times when in the presence of others, except when eating, drinking or swimming, or unless otherwise advised by a health care provider.

  • Train all employees on daily cleaning and disinfecting protocol, hygiene, and respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs).

  • Make hand washing, sanitizer, and other hygiene support available to employees.
    (Note: the use of gloves is not a substitute for frequent hand washing.)

  • Screen employees before they enter the workplace each day (verbally or with a written form or text- based or other app). Send employees home who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 and direct them to obtain free testing through the Department of Health.

  • Prohibit employees with known close contact to a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 to return to work until authorized by the Department of Health.

  • Minimize non-essential travel. Adhere to CDC guidelines and state orders regarding isolation following out-of-state travel.

  • Adhere to all CDC and OSHA guidelines.

  • Develop a COVID-19 communication plan and provide a forum for answering employee questions and addressing concerns.

  • Appoint a COVID-Safe Practice leader or team to enact safe practices in the workplace.

  • Review employee leave policies and modify as needed to ensure compliance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

  • Consider assigning vulnerable workers duties that minimize their contact with customers and other employees (e.g., managing inventory rather than working as a cashier, managing administrative needs through telework).

  • Support contract tracing by offering all customers who visit the establishment with the opportunity to record their name and phone number or email address, along with the date and time of their visit, and retain such records for no less than four weeks from the date of collection.

  • Follow all heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) preventative maintenance as required by the manufacturer on prescribed schedules. When possible, consult with an HVAC engineer to improve ventilation and minimize the potential for worker exposure.

  • Screen visitors upon arrival — all employees and visitors will have their temperature taken with a touchless thermometer. Any person with a temperature of 100.4o F, or greater, will not be allowed entry.

  • Require all employees and visitors to Dark Sky New Mexico to sign a log book to assist in contact tracing in the event of exposure to COVID-19.

  • Provide sanitizing wipes, aerosols, and hand sanitizer in each of the on-site accommodations.