Measures we’re taking to fight COVID-19

Actions:

• Ensuring our shop follows the Ministry of Health guidelines 
• To push self isolation, the self assessment tools and COVID-19 testing sites if the artist is currently undergoing symptoms/ has come into contact with an infected person(s).
• To adhere to all travel restrictions and regulations upon returning into a select province.
• Each artist/contractor will recieve a copy of this COVID-19 Safety Protocol for their records and review.
• All artists must complete their certifications on PPE, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Covid-19 Pandemic Awareness (All contractors, excluding artists, will just need to complete the Pandemic Awareness course).
• The team will be in contact at least once a week with Melissa to go over Artist wellbeing, PPE orders, general shop duties and inquires, Covid-19 emergency protocol.
• Sanitize hands upon entering while wearing your mask. Up front is the thermometer, take your temperature and sign the shop log. If a fever is registered, immediately leave site and begin isolation measures. If arriving with another artist, you both must return home to isolate.
• All artists working will require the following PPE; Nitrile gloves, medical grade mask (fabric may only be worn around the shop, never while working on your client due to it's porous material), safety goggles or face shield, apron (vinyl to disinfect or disposable), protective sleeves if the artist is required to rest their wrist on the client while working, all supplies are one use/disposable (all supplies that can expire are logged, via their ITEM #, LOT #, EXPIRY # in case an item is recalled) protective medical bibs are placed beneath the body parts being tattooed, barrier tape on any surface the artist touches while working, and along with proper adhesive bandaging, the artist sprays the finished piece with Bactine to disinfect.
• Our shop uses Cavicide to disinfect it's surfaces used in the appointment, along with a strong commercial disinfectant for regular shop use. These chemicals are logged, along with the sanitizers used on site in our automatic dispensers. (ITEM #, LOT #, EXP #)

How we’re screening for COVID-19

• IF ONE OF OUR ARTISTS HAS AN OPEN TIME SLOT FOR A WALK IN, YOU WILL THEN BE COVID-19 SCREENED OVER THE PHONE (See screening questions below).
• SCHEDULED CLIENTS; YOU WILL BE MESSAGED UPON THE PLATFORM (FB, INSTA, EMAIL) YOU BOOKED WITHIN, AND SENT THE COVID-19 SCREENING QUESTIONS THE DAY PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, YOUR APPOINTMENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED TO THE SOONEST AVAILABILITY. (The client's appointment will also be rescheduled if they fail to answer the questions before their appointment).
• OUR MAIN DOOR WITH STREET ACCESS WILL NOW BE LOCKED, AND WILL HAVE A BELL TO RING UPON ARRIVAL (Regina location, ON is appointment only).
• OUR STAFF WILL THEN GREET YOU, AND PROCEED WITH COVID-19 SCREENING, A TEMPERATURE TEST AND HAND SANITIZER.
• IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE QUESTIONS, REGISTER A HIGH TEMPERATURE, REFUSE TO WEAR A MASK, OR FAIL TO RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS, YOUR APPOINTMENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

Screening questions;

1. Are you currently, or have you in the past 24 hours, been feeling unwell OR do you have any new unexplained symptoms related to COVID-19?

Symptoms could include:

Fever (feeling hot to the touch, a temperature of 37.8oC or higher)

Chills

Cough that's new or worsening (continuous, more than usual)

Barking cough or making a whistling when breathing (croup)

Shortness of breath (out of breath, unable to breathe completely)

Sore throat

Difficulty swallowing

Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes or conditions)

Lost sense of taste or smell

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Headache that’s unusual or long lasting

Digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain)

Muscle aches

Extreme tiredness that is unusual (fatigue, lack of energy)

2. Have you been in close contact with someone who is confirmed to currently have 

COVID-19 in the past 14 days?

3. Have you or any of your close contacts recently had symptoms and are currently 

waiting on a COVID-19 test result?

4. Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days?

How we’re controlling the risk of transmission in our workplace

Physical distancing and separation

• Each artist has their own workspace. Eric and Vineet have their own rooms, while Melissa and Nancy share the back space with the allotted 6ft distancing. All artists work under the regulation of one client per session. Since Melissa travels frequently, the back space is mainly used by Nancy.
• Seating in the reception area has been removed to maintain a 6ft distancing between entryway and service counter.

Cleaning to be completed per artist station, along with shared shop duties

• Identify frequently touched surfaces that may need to be cleaned more often (e.g. doorknobs, handrails, light switches, touch screen surfaces, phones, computers, desks, washrooms, ATM, seating areas, surface counters, customer service counters, communal pens, etc.).
• It is also recommended that items be removed if they cannot easily be cleaned (e.g. newspapers, magazines, stuffed toys).
• All waste can go into regular garbage bins that are lined. Employees who handle waste should be careful not to touch any used tissues. They should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after emptying wastebaskets and garbage bins.

• Introduce more fresh air by increasing the ventilation system’s air intake or opening doors and windows. Avoid central recirculation where possible.

What we will do if there is a potential case, or suspected exposure to, COVID-19 at our workplace

IN CASE OF EXPOSURE

1. GET TESTED

2. SELF ISOLATE; EVEN IF YOUR TEST WAS NEGATIVE, IF YOU WERE NOTIFIED BY THE COVID ALERT APP THAT YOU'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 YOU MUST STILL SELF ISOLATE AT HOME FOR THE FULL 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVED YOUR EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION.

YOU WILL THEN BE CONTACTED BY THE PUBLUC HEALTH UNIT REGARDING YOUR RESULTS

3. CONTACT MELISSA, WHO WILL THEN RELAY THE FOLLOWING SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES;

A) MELISSA WILL CONTACT ALL ARTISTS/CONTRACTORS THAT WORK ON SITE TO SELF ISOLATE AND NOTIFY THEIR CLIENTS. (CLOSED COMPLETELY UNTIL NEGATIVE TESTS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED)

B) ALL ARTISTS MUST MONITOR THEIR SYMPTOMS, AND SCHEDULE A COVID-19 TEST. IF YOUR TEST IS NEGATIVE, YOU MAY CONTINUE WITH YOUR REGULAR BOOKINGS. IF POSITIVE, YOU MUST REMAIN IN QUARANTINE.

IN CASE OF EXPOSURE FOR THE CLIENT/SHOP

1. TELL THOSE YOU WERE IN CONTACT WITH WHEN YOU STARTED FEELING SYMPTOMATIC, AND GET TESTED. (OUR SHOP WILL  BE LOGGING CLIENTS AS THEY ENTER. IF ONE OF OUR ARTISTS OR THEIR CLIENTS WERE AT RISK OF EXPOSURE, THOSE ON SITE THAT DAY WILL BE NOTIFIED. IF SHUT DOWN IS REQUIRED, THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED PROTOCOL WILL TAKE AFFECT).

2. SELF ISOLATE; EVEN IF YOUR TEST WAS NEGATIVE, IF YOU WERE NOTIFIED BY THE COVID ALERT APP THAT YOU'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 YOU MUST STILL SELF ISOLATE AT HOME FOR THE FULL 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE YOU RECEIVED YOUR EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION.

YOU WILL THEN BE CONTACTED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT REGARDING YOUR RESULTS

How we’re managing any new risks caused by the changes made to the way we operate our business

** Our changes in the work environment more so coincide with the amount of clients on site/mental health of an artist in quarantine. This is something we can easily control together **

To help each other, we must stay in contact. Every week, the Owner will check in with her team to assess client flow, walk in amounts, regular PPE stock, but more importantly, the morale of everyone.

If time off is needed, if a more one on one approach regarding teaching, a new project or venture idea, or even access to live meetings while Melissa is in Ontario is required, 100% attention will be given to deter melancholy, the proverbial "artists block", or more seriously, aim to address anxiety and/or depression.

How we’re making sure our plan is working

OWNER/MELISSA is responsible for evaluating and adapting new policies, however the entire team is responsible for adhering to these new regulations. To help each other, we must stay in contact. Every week, the Owner will check in with her team to assess client flow, walk in amounts, regular PPE stock, but more importantly, chart check and confirm everyone is adhering to the COVID-19 regulations, as well as an overall morale check for her team.