COVID COMPLIANCE CLARIFIED
Things are finally looking up. Let’s keep it that way. Together.
Here at T!LT, preparedness has always been our thing. Back in the old days (circa 2019) when you were headed out for a day onsite, you had your packing list down to a science:
- Toothbrush: ☑️
- Hairspray: ☑️
- Warm layers for freezing cold ballroom: ☑️
- Comfy shoes: ☑️… then ☑️☑️ (These are very important.)
Post-pandemic, that list looks a liiittle different now:
- Face mask: ☑️
- Hand sanitizer: ☑️
- Face shield: ☑️
- Antibacterial wipes: ☑️
- Extra face mask: ☑️
In this business, you always have to be ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. But no one’s ever seen a pivot like this one. It’s more than a pivot, really; it can sometimes feel as if the world has — ahem — “T!LTed” entirely off its axis. And we’ve all had to rediscover our sense of balance.
Our packing list wasn’t the only thing that changed when COVID-19 hit. We also had to reassess what it meant to provide a safe working environment. There’s never been a time when we haven’t prioritized the safety of our employees and clients; so while COVID was a new challenge, it was one we had the skill set to meet head-on. At first, we locked down with everyone else. Business continued, of course, but we put a hold on any in-person meetings. Client meetings, team meetings, site visits, live productions, video shoots, coaching sessions, rehearsals — everything went virtual.
Now, with the advent of COVID vaccines (and thankfully, the rapid pace of vaccination here in the U.S.), we’re finally going to start meeting in person again. But it’s going to be a little different from the “before times” we all remember.
One of the joys of our business is how much work we get to do on-site. Launch events, conference production, video shoots, speaker coaching: there’s an excitement with face-to-face communications and in-person collaboration just makes everything better. The trick now is to not get so excited that we forget about our health and safety.
Our onsite safety protocols begin before anyone even sets foot in a venue:
- Appoint a COVID Compliance Lead. The Compliance Lead is responsible for ensuring that all pre- and onsite processes and procedures are clearly defined, in place, and followed by all team members.
- Venue set-up: Make it social.. but a little bit distant. No matter how large or small the event, we’ll establish a protected area within the venue — a bubble* where everyone attending can feel safe.
*Not to burst your bubble, but to keep you feeling safe we’re still going to make sure everyone is wearing a mask and keeping six (6) feet apart.
- Stock up on hand sanitizer, face masks, and wipes. Things happen. Not everyone has their back-up mask; not everyone wants to touch a communal pen. An abundance of cleaning supplies and PPE will be available and positioned throughout the venue for easy access.
- Catering/meals: Say goodbye to the serve yourself buffet. All onsite meals, snacks and beverages will be individually pre-packaged in advance or served by the venue/catering staff.
And when we open the doors, the work continues:
- Pop quiz, hotshot: The COVID questionnaire. Within 24 hours prior to their arrival on site, every team member must answer a basic questionnaire ensuring their health. Do they feel ill with any symptoms associated with COVID-19? Have they been exposed to anyone who’s tested positive? Are they waiting on the results of a COVID test? Every team member will complete a new questionnaire each day they’re scheduled to be on site.
- But wait, there’s more: Daily check-in protocols. The questionnaire is just the first step. Successful completion gets them in the door. To remain inside the venue after submitting the completed questionnaire, each team member must submit to a temperature check and put on a face mask that will be provided for them. They will also receive a new wristband, each day, indicating their screening status to all staff and crew on site.
- Regular COVID testing. A lot can happen in a few days. For longer programs, all team members will receive an onsite rapid COVID test on the first day and every subsequent three (3) day period.
- Getting those digits: Collecting contact information. We’ll confirm that our contact information for all team members — both local and traveling — is accurate. This is critical in the event that contact tracing needs to happen.
- Equipment and gear. Our crew will wipe down all equipment with disinfectant wipes once every three (3) hours — more if that equipment is used more frequently. And whenever possible, each piece of gear should only be used and touched by the one individual who’s primarily responsible for it.
- Protect the talent. If a presenter or other talent is required to remove their mask to perform their duties, the other individuals supporting the talent will wear face shields in addition to their double masks.
- Quittin’ Time. The day may be a wrap, but if we have the team coming back tomorrow we want to make sure they’re practicing precaution “after work.” On those multi-day events, we HIGHLY encourage the team and returning presenters to keep up with safety measures between call times.
CDC guidelines are ever-changing, and we’ll continue to adapt our standard practices to conform with them. In other words, we’ll continue to pivot — just as we’ve always done.
We’re looking forward to getting back together. And we want you to look forward to it too. That’s why we’re committed to making sure you feel — and are — as safe as possible. Not wearing sweatpants every day may still take some getting used to. We can’t do much about that. But in every other way, we at T!LT want to make every experience a great one. Just like the old days.
