Returning to Labor Amidst COVID-19
/As Lodge No. 2 resumes operations on Tues., 06-Oct-2020, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has instructed that all members review the following guidelines as part of the fraternity’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. These policies will be implemented in conjunction with new social distancing guidelines instituted by the Philadelphia Masonic Temple. All members must also review and sign the attached COVID-19 Release Form before they may be permitted to enter the premises. Signed forms may be e-mailed to Bro. Ariel Gonzalez. Consult the guidelines below to learn the avenues taken by the fraternity and its leadership as we resume Freemasonry amidst the “new normal” brought upon by the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. Please understand that the guidelines summarized below will be strictly enforced by both the Worshipful Master and Lodge Safety Officer in an effort to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the membership as we navigate these uncertain and unprecedented times.
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for Lodge No. 2
Lodge No. 2 is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all members. To ensure we have a safe and healthy facility, we have developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lodge Officers and members are all responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our Lodge and communities, and requires the full cooperation among our officers, members and visitors. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of our members and Lodge.
Officers and members are responsible for implementing and complying with all aspects of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
Our members are our most important assets. We are serious about safety and health and keeping our members safe at Lodge No. 2. Member involvement is essential in developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
Our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) guidelines, and federal OSHA standards related to COVID-19, and addresses:
• Safety officer duties and responsibilities
• Prompt identification of sick persons and screening
• Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Engineering and administrative controls for social distancing
• Protections and controls for meetings
• Protections and controls for events
• Cleaning, disinfecting, decontamination and ventilation
• Communications and instructions for members and visitors
• Communications and training that will be provided to officers
• Management and supervision necessary to ensure implementation of the plan
Lodge Safety Officer
The Worshipful Master (WM) will appoint a Lodge Safety Officer (LSO) to ensure that the guidelines within this plan are followed at all times. The member chosen to be the LSO is to be knowledgeable in the Federal, State and Local guidelines (Appendix “A”) as they relate to COVID-19 and its response. The LSO will also see that the Rules, Regulations, and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania are followed as related to COVID-19. The LSO will report any incidents, infractions, or recommendations for process improvement to the WM who will then take action as necessary to ensure the safety of the members and visitors.
The Lodge Safety Officer appointed for Lodge No. 2 is Paul R. Cleveland.
Screening and policies for members exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19
Officers and members have been informed of and are encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following procedures are being implemented to assess members' health status prior to entering the Lodge.
1. Officers and members are to be notified that they are not to attend Lodge or Lodge functions if they are ill or have other health issues that may make them more susceptible to contracting the disease. This will be done via the Lodge Notice, Call-Em-All, e-mail or some combination thereof.
2. Officers and members are to be notified that they are not to attend Lodge or Lodge functions for a minimum of 14 days following travel overseas, been tested positive for COVID-19, or are awaiting test results. This will be done via the Lodge Notice, Call-Em-All, e-mail, or some combination thereof.
3. Individuals that are noticeably ill will not be permitted entrance into the Lodge or its facilities.
4. Signage is to be posted at the entry to the Lodge Hall and social areas, reminding members and visitors that they are not permitted to attend Lodge or Lodge functions if they meet criteria in items 1, 2 or 3.
Handwashing and Sanitizing
Basic infection prevention measures are being implemented at our Lodge at all times. Members and visitors are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before entering the Lodge, prior to any meals or events, and after the using the restroom. All members and visitors to the Lodge will be required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to or immediately upon entering the Lodge or Banquet Hall. Hand-sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers >60% alcohol) are located at entrances and locations in the Lodge so they can be used for hand hygiene in lieu of soap and water, as long as hands are not visibly soiled.
Procedure
The Lodge Safety Officer will ensure that hand sanitizer dispensers are full and located throughout the Lodge and at all entrances. The LSO will also ensure that bathrooms have the proper soap and paper products (hand towels and tissues) necessary for the volume of people present. This is to be monitored throughout the meeting or event and restocked as necessary.
The LSO and Lodge Officers will ensure that anyone upon entering or exiting the Lodge or Banquet Hall will sanitize their hands.
Respiratory Etiquette
Members and visitors will follow masking guidelines as required by the PADOH/CDC with the exception of eating in the Banquet Hall. Masks are only to be removed once seated and ready to eat; upon arising to move throughout the hall, the mask is to be worn. When a mask is not worn, members and visitors will be instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to avoid touching their face, in particular their mouth, nose and eyes with their hands. They will dispose of tissues in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward. Respiratory etiquette will be supported by making tissues and trash receptacles available to all members and visitors.
Social distancing
The LSO will see that social distancing of 6 feet is implemented and maintained between members and visitors in the Lodge through the following engineering and administrative controls:
Lodge Hall
· Lodge Hall occupation will be restricted to 75% in the "Green Phase" until the restrictions are lifted. Chairs may be placed on the floor to expand seating capacity provided that the 6-foot rule is maintained.
· Members will maintain a distance of a minimum of 6 feet between themselves.
· Officer stations may be moved within reason to accommodate the distancing rule. Elevator use is to be limited to no more than one or two individuals at a time.
Banquet Hall
· Tables and chairs will be placed in respect to the 6-foot rule.
· Buffet style food service is strongly discouraged.
· " Finger Food" (bowls of snacks, candy, etc.) are prohibited.
· Self-service drinks, coffee pots, cans of soda in a bucket/cooler, 2 liter bottles of soda, etc., are discouraged, one or two persons shall dispense or pour .
· Access to the kitchen and food preparation area is limited to food service workers.
· Food servers will wear masks and gloves. All food handling and safety rules are to be followed.
Cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation
Regular housekeeping practices are being implemented, including routine cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, regalia, and other equipment in the Lodge environment, including restrooms, dining rooms and meeting rooms. Frequent cleaning and disinfection will be conducted on frequently touched surfaces, such as phones, keyboards, touch screens, door handles, elevator panels, railings, and so forth.
Procedure
The use of “communal” white gloves is prohibited. Elected and appointed officers will provide their own gloves and wash them after each use.
One person will be responsible for placing Lodge items into their storage areas. Officers will remove their regalia and place it at their stations for removal. Gloves will be taken home by the individual using them and laundered appropriately.
The individual removing and storing the items will wear gloves and properly sanitize items if possible as they are handled and stored. Some items for consideration:
Soft regalia (aprons and collars) are not easily sanitized. A minimum of one week will be maintained between uses of the regalia. If wet with sweat or other body fluids, spot cleaning may be necessary. If spot cleaning is not possible, the item will be left to dry before placing it with other regalia.
Hard equipment (columns, swords, tools, etc.) can be wiped down with an appropriate sanitizer. If the use of sanitizer will damage the item, it is to be placed in storage for a period of a minimum of one week.
Books and other paper-based items are to be placed into storage for a minimum of one week.
The Lodge and other areas in use will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between each meeting/event by personnel assigned and trained to do so.
Ensure appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfectant supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer specifications and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the product.
Regular cleaning staff will clean and disinfect community spaces. They are trained on appropriate use of cleaning and disinfection chemicals. Other items to be considered for cleaning staff :
1. Wear disposable gloves and gowns for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.
2. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant productsbeing used and whether there is a risk of splash.
3. Gloves and gowns will be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area.
The use of floor and/or ceiling fans is prohibited to reduce the amount of air circulation within the room.
Communications and training
This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan will be communicated via hard copy or e-mail to all members on August 24, 2020 and necessary training will be provided to Lodge Officers and those members as appointed/assigned. Additional copies of this plan will be posted at the Lodge and available for members to review. Additional communication will be ongoing and provided to all Officers and members who did not receive the initial training.
Instructions will be communicated to members and visitors about social distancing, required hygiene practices and recommendations that members and visitors use face masks while in attendance. Members and visitors will also be advised not to enter the Lodge or Banquet Hall if they are experiencing symptoms or have contracted COVID-19. This will be communicated via Lodge Notices, Call-Em-All, e-mail or by direct verbal communication.
Lodge Officers and the Lodge Safety Officer(s) are to monitor how effective the program has been implemented by observation and review of the operations on a regular basis. Officers and members are to work through this new program together and update the training as necessary. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been certified by the DistrictDeputy Grand Master and the Elected Officers of Lodge No. 2 and was posted throughout the Lodge premises on August 24, 2020. It will be updated as necessary.