Balally House Covid-19 Protocol and response plan
This document has been prepared based on the evidence currently available about COVID-19 transmission (human-to-human transmission primarily via respiratory droplets from, or direct contact with, an infected person), and is designed to ensure that Balally House can protect the health of myself and my guests.
To start, our intention of this document is to put in place our prevention measures which will include regular and thorough hand hygiene, social distancing, avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and good respiratory hygiene. In public areas, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces will be the priority to help reduce the risk of infection.
Will will heed the advice to shut down and seek medical attention if my guests or I have symptoms consistent with the disease.
A ‘Necessary equipment and medical kit’ will be available at the reception.
- Germicidal disinfectant/wipes for surface cleaning
- Tissues.
- Face/eye masks (separate or combined, face shield, goggles).
- Note that disposable face masks can only be used once
- Gloves (disposable)
- Protective apron (disposable)
- Full-length long-sleeved gown
- Biohazard disposable waste bag
Cleaning Logbook
I keep a logbook of the important actions and measures carried out here at Balally House. I record detail such as a date and time a disinfectant was used, by whom, where, etc. This logbook can be used to improve the actions implemented.
Contact tracing
I am keeping track in the form of a contact log of all guests or workmen etc stepping inside of Balally House. This information is stored securely, maintained centrally and readily available upon request due to the fact that such information may be requested by the authorities to assist with contact tracing
Plan in place
A designated isolation area: will be the guests own bedroom.
Ventilation, window in their room will be opened,
• Hygiene practice: I will provide: • tissues, • hand sanitiser, disinfectant, • PPE; gloves, masks, • Clinical waste bags.
If a guest becomes unwell with symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing, I will ensure
the guest isolates in their own bedroom.
This will ensure that other guests staying will distance at least 2 metres from the symptomatic person at all times. The unwell individual will be provided with a mask, to be worn if in a room with other people or while exiting the premises. There is no need for them to wear a mask while isolating in a room on their own.
I will find out this guests travel history. and especially if to affected areas in the last 14 days and/or contact history with infected persons.
I will contact a doctor.
I will take all details of anyone else that has been in contact with the sick individual such as their travel partner etc.
The unwell individual should remain in the isolation area until doctors arrival or given advice to make their way to a testing centre.
They should avoid touching people, surfaces and objects. I will advice the unwell individual to cover their mouth and nose with the disposable tissue provided when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in the waste bag provided.
I will ensure their travel partner or themselves have the information to get safely to the testing centre ensuring they do not use public transport.
I may be contacted by the HSE to discuss the case. When contacted by the HSE, I Dawn Adams, COVID-19 manager will use the records kept regarding Direct Contact to identify people who have been in contact with the individual. (any individual who has had greater than 15 minutes face-to-face (<2 meters distance) contact with a confirmed case, in any setting)
The HSE will advise on any actions or precautions that should be taken. I should carry out an assessment of the incident, which will form part of determining follow-up actions.
The HSE will also be in contact with the case (sick guest) directly to advise on isolation and identifying other contacts and will be in touch with any contacts of the case to provide them with appropriate advice.
Immediate action following a suspected case will include closure of the isolation area until appropriately cleaned including all areas of the B&B. I have a cold low volumn fogging unit used with Hygrogen peroxide solution that will decontaminate all hard surfaces and soft surfaces such as pillows etc will be boiled.
Information provided
I have provided short documents to my guests through their initial booking confirmation email, and made it accessible on our website and facebook page.I have provided this information in different languages. I have displayed informative posters around Balally House that give the key messages to guests, including the promotion of hand-washing (at least 20 seconds, all parts of the hand), respiratory hygiene, and coughing etiquette.
It is only myself that works in the property. My husband and 2 children live in another part of the house that is separate to where our guests have access to.
My contact information is 00 353 863714444
- For Emergency queries please call 999
- For advice on Covid-19 symptoms, please call the HSE helpline on 1850 241850
- For the Shannon doc out of hours doctor service call 1850212999 or 061 459500 ( do not turn up at their door)
- If you have any symptoms of a respiratory infection you should call the HSE helpline on 1890 300046 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (operates every day).
- For more, visit HSE information on Coronavirus.
- Or https://www.clarecoco.ie/covid19help/
Covid -19 Updates
For all updates on covid -19 I am checking in regularly on this above link to see how our health service here in Ireland are responding to the global spread of the disease and what they need us to do to help with its containment. All information needed is listed here for your information.
Covid-19 Symptoms
If you show any signs of the Covid-19 symptoms before arrival ( see link) please follow HSE guidelines and seek medical attention. Please do not check into Balally House. Your booking fee will be refunded.
If you develop these symptoms on arrival or during your stay please call me on +353 863714444 and ensure you or your travel companion do not leave your room.
- a fever (high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Monitoring of guests who are possibly ill while observing regulations in relation to the protection of personal data and the right to privacy, it is advisable to monitor potentially ill guests in the establishment so I will note all relevant incidents that come to my knowledge, such as requests for doctor’s visits. This information will aid guests through appropriate advice, facilitating early detection, and rapid management of suspected cases with local health authorities
Washing dishes, silverware, and table linen All dishes, silverware, and glassware are washed in dishwashers. All tables and chairs are disinfected using disinfectant spray and disposable towels for each table and thrown away to stop any cross contamination, including items that have not been used, as they might have been in contact with the hands of guests or staff. I will be extra careful to ensure backs of chairs, window handles etc will all be wiped after each guest leaves the dining room.
Table setting Tables shall be arranged such that the distance from the back of one chair to the back of another chair shall be more than 1 m apart and that guests face each other from a distance of at least 1 m. I have put in place a staggered time schedule to allow each guest (or party of guests) to eat breakfast in the dining room, 45 mins apart from other guests staying here to allow for maximum protection. Windows will be open to allow for extra ventilation.
The down stairs toilet will be closed to guests. I ask that they use their own ensuite toilet.
Disinfectant will be provided outside the door as well as in the entrance foyer. We ask that all guests use this on arrival and before dining. We ask that you try your best to not hold on to hand railings on stairs if possible. If you pass any guests in the hallways or stair ways I ask that you stand back to let the others pass. If possible wait outside the house rather than in the entrance way, until I am available to talk to.
The communal lounge is only for one party of guests at a time. This area will be regularly sanitized throughout your stay but we recommend you use the disinfectant wipes provided when touching kettle,doors or cabinet doors. We will provide separate sachets of sugar, coffee and individual tea bags. These will be in a covered container, please ensure to replace lid when you have what you need. Place tea bag and sachet wrappings in the bin provided. Please leave your tea cup in your room when finished.
Check in procedure. Please do not take offence if we don’t shake your hands, this is for your safety. We value your custom. Normally we would take you to your room but due to social distancing rules we will discuss all in the foyer. Please stand back as much as you can and we will do the same. For payment we will use gloves and provide disinfectant wipes for credit card machine or for the handling of money.