Phase 2 and 3 Agritourism COVID-19 Requirements

Summary of changes to guidance as of August 28, 2020

The following additional activities are permitted, if specific requirements described herein can be met:

• Animal viewing

• Hay/wagon/train rides

• Children’s play equipment/games

• Private firepit/bonfires

Agritourism businesses are permitted to operate, provided all requirements in this document are met. For purposes of this guidance, agritourism is defined as a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner. Examples of agritourism include, but are not limited to Christmas tree farms, u-pick berry farms, corn mazes and pumpkin patches. Each business must adopt a written procedure for operations at least as protective as the specific requirements outlined below and complies with all employee safety and health requirements.

Agritourism businesses must ensure strict adherence to all measures established by the Governor’s guidance, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention: General Requirements, and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations https://www.doh.wa.gov/Coronavirus/Workplace (DOH).

General Requirements

Inform customers they are required to:

o Stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

o Use cloth face coverings when visiting.

o Practice proper physical distancing.

2. Whenever possible, operations should be held outdoors or in outdoor covered areas with optimal ventilation (examples of this are covered areas with no more than two walls). Outdoor operations must ensure six feet of physical distance between customers (except between members of the same household). This may necessitate requiring customers to make reservations in advance or sign up for a specific time slot when they arrive.

3. Indoor operations are limited to retail and food service activities.

4. Retail and food service activities are required to follow Department of Health’s COVID-19 Guidelines for Farmers Markets (regardless if held indoors or outdoors).

5. Payment Handling

o When possible, allow mobile, credit card, or other cash-free payment options.

o Staff will disinfect check-out counters and payment touchpads at least every hour.

o Provide handwashing or hand sanitizer for employees handling payment.

6. Use timed ticketing or on-line/phone reservations for any activity, when possible.

7. Provide sufficient hand sanitizing stations for customers.

8. Post signs at any wait lines, requiring six feet of physical distance and mark appropriately. Have staff stationed to monitor.

9. Activities such as indoor haunted houses/mazes, high-touch games/activities that cannot be sanitized between each user, inflatable jumping equipment, and animal petting areas are not permitted.

U-Pick and Tree Farm Requirements

1. Ensure proper physical distancing of a minimum of six feet, one-way traffic in the fields, as well as appropriate signage to ensure washing of fruits/vegetables before consumption & use.

2. Upon entrance & exit to the designated U-Pick/tree area, encourage visitors to wash/sanitize their hands.

3. Any waiting areas will be set up for six feet physical distancing, with appropriate signage and spacing markers.

4. Transportation to fields, must follow requirements below for hay/wagon/train rides.

5. Shared equipment, such as wheelbarrows and saws, must be sanitized between uses.

Hay/Wagon/Train Ride Requirements

1. Consider the space provided for each customer when determining the maximum number of people allowed onboard. Ensure there is six feet of physical distance between each household group. If physical distancing is not possible, a physical barrier will be utilized.

2. Use a “load back to front” and unload “front to back” to promote one-way pattern and physical distancing.

3. For trains, cars should be limited to members of the same household. Skip a car between households.

4. High touch areas, such as handrails, safety rails and other common surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected between each trip.

5. Create adequate space for physical distancing during tour check-ins. Use visual markers for reference.

6. Have hand sanitizer available for staff and customers.

Outdoor Corn Maze/Haunted House Requirements

1. The maze/haunted house should be designed as a no-touch outdoor activity, that is a one-way path. High-touch props and decorations should not be used.

2. Assign an employee to manage entrance, allowing for timed entry and appropriate physical distancing between groups.

3. Groups will be limited to a single household, and no more than five individuals from separate households.

4. Provide a hand-washing station or alternative hand sanitizing method at entrance and exit, and post signs to encourage customers to utilize before and after.

5. Staff members who are part of the haunt/maze will ensure six feet or more is always kept between groups.

6. A clear plastic barrier will be between and any actors and customers in the haunt/maze.

7. Staff shall not be allowed to change costumes/characters/masks in-show, ensuring less cross contamination. Nightly cleaning and disinfecting of masks, face shields, goggles and costumes, etc.

8. Common surfaces should be regularly sanitized.

Playground/Farm Equipment and Activities Requirements

1. Remove or rearrange equipment to allow for social distancing.

2. Increase the number of hand sanitizing stations throughout the space.

3. Install signage to discourage group congregation. People from the same household can be together, but 6 feet of physical distance should be maintained for people from different households.

4. Playground and activity capacity should be reduced to 50%. 5. Where possible, provide for one-way traffic with signage designating entrance, exit, and reinforcing one-way direction of traffic. 6. Regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces. In particular, sanitize equipment/materials between customer use when possible

Animal Viewing Requirements

1. Animal viewing exhibits will be held outdoors or in outdoor covered areas with optimal ventilation.

2. Ensure six feet of physical distancing and one-way traffic.

3. Regularly sanitize handrails, gates, and other frequently touched surfaces including employee used equipment.

4. Install signage to discourage group congregation, or to limit numbers of people in a certain area. Customers will be reminded to be mindful of physical distancing around exhibits.

5. Request visitors to leave the area immediately after they are done to eliminate congestion/gathering.

Private Fire Pits/Bonfires Requirements

1. Parties limited to household members plus no more than five individuals from separate households – provided area can safely accommodate.

2. Sanitize frequently touched areas between groups.

Employee Safety and Health

An agritourism employer, during any phase has a general obligation to keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law and safety and health rules for a variety of workplace hazards. In addition, they must comply with the following COVID-19 worksite-specific safety practices as outlined in Governor Inslee’s “Safe Start – Stay Healthy" Proclamation 20-25 and in accordance with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries General Requirements and Prevention Ideas for Workplaces and the Washington State Department of Health Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Coronavirus/workplace. All events are required to post signage at the entrance to the event requiring participants to use cloth face coverings when inside the event.

Employers must specifically ensure operations follow the main L&I COVID-19 requirements to protect workers, including:

• Educate workers in the language they understand best about coronavirus and how to prevent transmission and the employer’s COVID-19 policies.

• Maintain minimum six-foot separation between all employees (and participants) in all interactions at all times. When strict physical distancing is not feasible for a specific task, other prevention measures are required, such as use of barriers, minimize staff or participants in narrow or enclosed areas, and staggering breaks and work shiftstarts.

• Provide (at no cost to employees) and require the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields and face masks as appropriate or required for the activity being performed. Cloth facial coverings must be worn by every employee not working alone on the jobsite unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under Department of Labor & Industries safety and health rules and guidance.

• Exceptions to this requirement for cloth face coverings include when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site; if the individual is deaf or hard of hearing and is communicating with someone who relies on language cues such as facial markers and expression and mouth movements as a part of communication; if the individual has a medical condition or disability that makes wearing a facial covering inappropriate; or when the job has no in-person interaction.

• Refer to Washington Coronavirus Hazard Considerations for Employers (except COVID-19 care in hospitals & clinics) Face Coverings, Masks, and Respirator Choices for additional details. Cloth face coverings are described in the Department of Health guidance.

• Ensure frequent and adequate hand washing with adequate maintenance of supplies. Use disposable gloves where safe and applicable to prevent virus transmission on tools or other items that are shared.

• Establish a housekeeping schedule that includes frequent cleaning and sanitizing with a particular emphasis on commonly touched surfaces.

• Screen employees for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 at start of their shift. Make sure sick employees stay home or immediately go home if they feel or appear sick. Cordon off any areas where an employee with probable or confirmed COVID-19 illness worked, touched surfaces, etc. until the area and equipment is cleaned and sanitized. Follow the cleaning guidelines set by the CDC to deep clean and sanitize.

• Post a sign at the entrance to the business that requires customers to wear cloth face coverings.

A COVID-19 supervisor shall be designated by the employer at each event to monitor the health of employees and enforce the COVID-19 job site safety plan.

A worker may refuse to perform unsafe work, including hazards created by COVID-19. It is unlawful for an employer to take adverse action against a worker who has engaged in safety-protected activities under the law if the individual’s work refusal meets certain requirements. Information is available in these publications: Safety and Health Discrimination in the Workplace brochure and Spanish Safety and Health Discrimination brochure.

Employees who choose to remove themselves from a work site because they do not believe it is safe to work due to the risk of COVID-19 exposure may have access to certain leave or unemployment benefits. Employers must provide high-risk individuals covered by Proclamation 20-46 with their choice of access to available employer-granted accrued leave or unemployment benefits if an alternative work arrangement is not feasible. Other employees may have access to expanded family and medical leave included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, access to unemployment benefits, or access to other paid time off depending on the circumstances. Additional information is available at Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (COVID-19) Resources and Paid Leave under the Washington Family Care Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

No agritourism business may operate until it can meet and maintain all the requirements in this document, including providing materials, schedules and equipment required to comply. Additional considerations may be adopted, as appropriate.

All issues regarding worker safety and health are subject to enforcement action under L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

• Employers can request COVID-19 prevention advice and help from L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).

• Employee Workplace safety and health complaints may be submitted to the L&I DOSH Call Center: (1-800-423-7233) or via e-mail to adag235@lni.wa.gov.

• General questions about how to comply with agreement practices can be submitted to the state’s Business Response Center at https://coronavirus.wa.gov/how-you-can-help/covid-19- business-and-worker-inquiries.

• All other violations related to Proclamation 20-25 can be submitted at https://coronavirus.wa.gov/report-safe-start-violation.

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Haunt – Safety Plan 

1. The haunt will be re-designed as a no-touch outdoor activity, that is one-way path. High-touch props and decorations will not be used.

2. Utilize on-line or phone reservation systems to pre-pay and limit interactions, and restrict payments to credit cards only to eliminate the handling of cash. 

3. Utilize timed-ticketing to eliminate lines.

4. If a waiver is required, the waiver will be incorporated into the on-line ticketing process.

5. Require customers to bring and wear masks or facial coverings. Staff members are also required to wear masks or facial coverings.

6. Waiting area will be set up for social distancing, with appropriate signage and spacing markers.

7. An employee will be assigned to manage entrance, allowing for timed entry and appropriate social distancing between groups.

8. Groups will be limited to five or fewer from the same household. 

9. Provide a hand-washing station or alternative hand sanitizing method at entrance and exit, and post signs to encourage customers to utilize before and after. 

10. Staff members a part of the haunt will ensure 6 feet or more is kept between groups at all times. 

11. Staff members will be required to wear face masks, and maintain six-feet distance. When social distancing is not possible, the duration of contact will be brief and a clear plastic barrier will be in place.

12. A clear plastic barrier will be between actors and customers in the haunt.

13. Staff shall not be allowed to change costumes/characters/masks in-show, ensuring less cross contamination. Nightly cleaning and disinfecting of masks, face shields, goggles and costumes, etc.

14. Common surfaces will be regularly sanitized and hand sanitizer will be available for staff and customers. 

15. Require customers to cancel if they have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, or new loss of taste or smell and ensure that they can reschedule with no penalty when 2 weeks after they are feeling better. 

16. Keep up to date on all changes issued by the Office of the Governor, the Department of Labor & Industries, and the Department of Health.

 

(These are the high-level bullet points for the plan, see more detailed plan for more safety measures regarding employee and customer regulations.)

​

 

Thomas Family Farm – Haunted House – Covid-19 Safety Plan – Version 2

As included in this plan, there are various measures in place that typically aren’t during our normal operation, to ensure safety, cleanliness and distancing efforts. Additionally, we have contracted Snohomish County Police Officers who will park their car out front to show a presence of how serious we are about needing to eject someone if they are not in compliance. Said officer will make property rounds throughout the night of operation. Further, all rules that usually apply in our attraction remain, including the following below:

 

1. Require online purchase of tickets to reduce in-person interaction on site.

2. Tickets will be sold as “Timed-Ticketing” to eliminate lines and control how many people are in the haunt at one time.

3. Customers will be in groups of 5 or fewer members of the same household.

4. Require all staff and customers to stay home if they are sick. Customers will be screened for symptoms and have their temperature checked before entering the barn. Employees will be screened for symptoms and have their temperature checked at the beginning of their shift.

5. Limit access to only those necessary. Customers will not be allowed into the barn any earlier than 20 minutes prior to their timeslot. No customer may enter without a ticket.

6. Increase distance and limit the duration of contact.

   1. All employees will interact with customers through a clear barrier wall. Actors inside the haunt will scare from behind a clear barrier wall.

   2. Haunt walls have been widened to a distance of 8ft apart.

   3. Actors inside the haunt will monitor the flow of groups to ensure 6ft or more between each group at all times.

   4. Social distancing of 6ft or more will be maintained between customers and actors in the haunt. Signs and markings on the floor will be used as a reminder.

   5. The haunt path is one-way only.

7. Provide hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility.

8. Events held indoors are limited to 50% capacity or up to 50 participants at one time (not including staff) whichever is less.

9. For increased ventilation, doors and windows will be propped open wherever possible for air-flow.

10. Post a sign at the entrance to the business that requires customers to wear cloth face

coverings. Provide face coverings to customers who don’t have one.

1. Increased signage will remind customers about face coverings, social distancing, not touching the walls or props, and not attending if they are experiencing flu symptoms, have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and/or have come into contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19.

2. Customers will be required to accept terms and conditions upon purchasing a ticket. The terms and conditions will include accepting the event’s Covid-19 safety measures (i.e. - Attendees will comply with all current Washington State regulations and mandates regarding face coverings and social distancing while on the farm. Attendees will not attend if they are experiencing flu symptoms, have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and/or have come into contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19. Attendees are fully and personally responsible for their own safety and actions while at the farm and recognize that they may be at risk of contracting COVID-19. The farm is subject to current Washington State regulations and mandates and will make adjustments accordingly.)

3. Haunt will be a no-touch experience. High-contact props such as the claustrophobia tunnel, decorations that hang into people’s faces, and “butcher flaps” will be removed.

 

EMPLOYEE SAFETY:

• Educate workers in the language they understand best about coronavirus and how to prevent transmission and the employer’s COVID-19 policies.

• Maintain minimum six-foot separation between all employees (and customers) in all interactions at all times. When strict physical distancing is not feasible for a specific task, other prevention measures are required, such as use of barriers, minimize staff or participants in narrow or enclosed areas, and staggering breaks and work shift starts.

• Provide (at no cost to employees) and require the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, face shields and face masks as appropriate or required for the activity being performed. Cloth facial coverings must be worn by every employee not working alone on the jobsite unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under Department of Labor & Industries safety and health rules and guidance.

• Costuming artists are required to utilize contactless makeup only.

• No sharing/exchanging costumes/masks: Staff shall not be allowed to change costumes/characters/masks in-show, ensuring less cross contamination. Nightly cleaning and disinfecting of masks, face shields, goggles and costumes, etc.

• Ensure frequent and adequate hand washing with adequate maintenance of supplies. Use disposable gloves where safe and applicable to prevent virus transmission on tools or other items that are shared.

• Establish a housekeeping schedule that includes frequent cleaning and sanitizing with a particular emphasis on commonly touched surfaces.

• Screen employees for signs/symptoms of COVID-19 at start of their shift. Make sure sick employees stay home or immediately go home if they feel or appear sick. Cordon off any areas where an employee with probable or confirmed COVID-19 illness worked, touched surfaces, etc. until the area and equipment is cleaned and sanitized. Follow the cleaning guidelines set by the CDC to deep clean and sanitize.

​

​

​

​

​

​