Let's Talk About Hygiene

I want to take a moment to talk about hygiene in the Hara Studio. My intention is not to cause panic, but to provide information as a measure to ensure our sessions and classes are a safe place to attend. I kindly ask for your participation as we face these unusual circumstances together as a community.

Australia has now community experienced spread of the coronavirus, so I’d like to update you on a few studio procedures I'm implementing in response to the virus and the coming flu season.

Although the likelihood of catching Covid-19 in Coffs Harbour is currently low, it’s important for client confidence that we start taking appropriate steps to reduce the potential for spread now.

In recognition of guidelines from the https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx and other government entities, I am instituting the following practices for our classes and studio sessions at Hara Beyond Movement Studio. These practices make sense for maintaining health and well-being during the general flu season, and particularly during the potential emergence of COVID-19.

 

Things I ask you to do:

  1. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and last anywhere from 2-14 days. 

  2. Stay attuned to the NSW health recommendations and visit a healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

  3. If you have traveled to or had contact with someone who has traveled to an affected area, please wait 14 days before coming to a session or class. 

  4. Hugging, kissing cheeks and shaking hands is discouraged. I recognise this may be challenging within our tight-knit community. I encourage you to use your creativity to find alternative ways of greeting each other, such as waving or bowing.

  5. Wash your hands often with soap or use a commercial hand sanitizer, especially following a class when you are coming into contact with equipment and various surfaces and after using the bathroom. Clean the spaces between your fingers (including thumb), the tips of your fingers and the back of your nails in addition to the front and back of your hands. The recommendation is to wash for 20 seconds (the Happy Birthday song twice through).

  6.  Bring a clean towel for use as a pillow or to lay on the equipment when in a duo or semi-private session, group classes. If you do not use your own towel I will supply these and wash per person so that they are only single use.

  7. If you need to cough or sneeze, please “catch it” in a tissue, dispose of the tissue in a bin straight away and use hand sanitiser. Tissues, bins, and hand sanitiser are in the studio. The crook of your elbow can be used as an emergency back up if you can’t reach a tissue in time.

  8. Please remember our usual protocol to wear socks to class.

 

Things I will do:

  1. I've placed a hand sanitizer outside the studio door for use before entering the studio in Korora and at the other two studio locations.

  2. I have disinfection wipes for doorknobs etc. and have placed disinfection soap in the bathroom and at the studio in Bray St. 

  3. I can offer you to attend a group class or private session using the “zoom app” from the comfort of your own home. (Please ask me about this, it's easy). Group classes: 1/2 price. Private’s: $60

  4. I have asked our teaching community at the group venues to ensure that class activities take these guidelines into account. 

  5. I have also asked all venues where our classes take place to incorporate cleaning practices and operating procedures that promote a safe and sanitary environment. This includes hand-sanitiser at the front door, tissues, bins, and paper towels for hand wiping.

  6. Late cancellation fees will be waived on the first day if you develop symptoms within the late cancellation period.

  7. Our spray bottle contents are going to be upgraded to those used in a medical setting, so you may notice they smell not quite as lovely as usual.

  8. I will be going through additional cleaning procedures so we can ensure that high contact areas (doorknobs, etc.) are disinfected frequently throughout the day. 

  9. I will also be taking steps to reduce the number of areas requiring frequent contact (e.g. propping doors open, so you don’t have to touch to open them).


I'll provide additional updates as things unfold.

I kindly encourage everyone to read the information provided by NSW Health, as well as the Australian Government’s Department of Health advice information here – Coronavirus-(Covid-19)-Information.
 

Your help in keeping our community safe is appreciated! If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Kind Regards
Suzanne 😊

Hara Beyond Movement Studio