Bayside Focus Group Rooms COVID-Safe Plan
This document seeks to outline the precautions we are taking to minimise the risk of an outbreak at our facility. We will be constantly reviewing and updating our practices to ensure a safe environment for all. We will be adapting to meet any changes required by the Health Department and our government as well as any precautions and wishes of our clients.
WHAT IS BEING INTRODUCED TO THE BAYSIDE FOCUS GROUP ROOMS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
⦁ Limitations on number of users of our facilities
No more than 20 users at any one time researchers and any support staff are all spaced 1.5 metres apart with a limit of no more than 1 person per 4 square metres. (need to measure room)
⦁ Capacities on our group rooms to ensure at least 4m squared per person
⦁ Spacing of chairs of at least 1.5m between any two people
⦁ Respondents will be directed from signing in into the group rooms to avoid any potential spread in waiting rooms and to directly track and minimise locations where respondents have been.
⦁ Limiting focus groups to 1.75 hours, ensuring that respondents are not kept in a closed environment for over 2 hours (as per guidelines of close proximity time limitations of 2 hours)
⦁ Requesting and monitoring of our facility’s users who are unwell, have travelled internationally or have been in contact with someone suspected to have had COVID-19 to self-exclude from participation.
⦁ Utilisation of IR thermometers on all users of our facilities to monitor symptoms of high temperature
⦁ Increased signage about:
⦁ requesting self-exclusion of those who are unwell before entering the building.
⦁ Coughing/sneezing etiquette
⦁ Health warning, the signs of COVID-19
⦁ Promotion of Social Distancing Measures
⦁ Compulsory use of hand sanitiser or hand washing prior to respondents signing in.
⦁ Use of masks at all times by everyone
⦁ Every one who enters the facility MUST sign in via the QR code displayed at the front desk/door.
⦁ Thorough surface sanitisation in group rooms, bathrooms and on high-contact areas (including door handles and lift buttons) between groups.
⦁ We ensure washrooms are equip with plenty of antibacterial soap, sanitising gel, hot water and clean disposable towels to minimise contact.
⦁ There will be at least one staff member ‘traffic managing’ our facility in the hallways, to ensure all pedestrian traffic is single directional at any one time and a distance of 1.5 m is maintained.
⦁ Catering changed to single serve pre-packaged snacks and water bottles. Rooms will include lidded bins and tissues.
⦁ Recommendation that clients/viewers watch the research via our live-stream service rather than come into our facilities to minimise risk.
UPDATED REQUIREMENTS ON OUR STAFF
⦁ Additional hygiene measures are being taken by staff including use of disposable gloves when handling food products and cleaning the rooms
⦁ Frequent hand washing with antibacterial soap
⦁ Staff are requested not to work if they are displaying any flu like symptoms, including sore throat, sneezing, or coughing.
⦁ If staff start to demonstrate flu like symptoms at work, they will be treated with our below mentioned COVID-Safe plan.
⦁ All staff to wear masks.
RECRUITMENT OBLIGATIONS
⦁ In screening, do not accept people who have:
⦁ Displayed flu like symptoms within the last 14 days (and they should notify the recruiter if they develop flu like symptoms before their focus group
⦁ Travelled overseas within 14 days prior of attending group
⦁ Been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 within 14 days prior of focus group
⦁ Notify respondents they will not be allowed entry into our facility until 10 minutes before group’s commencement time to ensure our facility does not exceed 20 users. Notify respondents that they will need to wear a mask and sign in on arrival.
OBLIGATIONS ON MODERATORS
⦁ Must notify senior staff of any respondents who display flu-like symptoms (coughing or sneezing) within the focus group.
⦁ Ensure that respondents follow the seating guide such that 1.5 m is maintained between respondents
⦁ Masks to be worn at all times.
OUR PLAN IF SOMEONE DISPLAYS COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AFTER ENTERING OUR FACILITY
If someone displays Covid symptoms on arrival then they will need to be turned away from entering the facility.