Many local businesses have closed their doors soon after the worldwide pandemic was declared on March 11. Yet, the Canalta Hotel on 601 First Avenue West managed to keep their doors open, although many adjustments had been introduced. These changes were required because of the present circumstances affected by COVID-19.
鈥淧eople have always stayed with us because we鈥檙e clean,鈥� General Manager Sophie Morrison recounted, clarifying the hotel staff had employed a mandate where transparency and safety for all guests was paramount 鈥� meaning every corner of the hotel was continuously sanitized to prevent the spread of harmful germs long before the pandemic鈥檚 arrival.
With the onset of COVID-19, the hotel had to increase their sanitization efforts by implementing new measures designed to prevent viral transmissions.
The hotel鈥檚 updated policies included a high-touch cleaning log for all of Canalta鈥檚 properties. All high-touched areas must be cleaned hourly (or sooner if required). Handwashing stations in the laundry room, washrooms and breakfast prep areas are continually restocked. 听
Team members are obligated to wash their hands before starting shifts and every 15 minutes thereafter. Hand sanitizer and disposable gloves are used on a recurrent basis. 听听听
Workplaces and housekeeping carts, desks, telephones, keyboards, pens and other objects are habitually wiped with disinfectant.
All departments are compelled to wear face masks with the exception of front desk staff. Yet, if front desk staff members prefer to wear masks to protect themselves from possible exposures, they are allowed to do so.
Also, PPE disposal bins have been placed throughout the hotel鈥檚 workstations. Walkie talkies are cleaned and sanitized after use. 麻豆传媒s and reading materials have been removed from the breakfast room, which is presently opened at a 50 per cent volume because of social distancing regulations. All breakfasts are bagged at this time.听
Note that the fitness centre, spa tub and steam room in Assiniboia鈥檚 Canalta location are still closed until further notice.
In similarity with many other businesses, plexiglass was installed at the desk in the Assiniboia Canalta to protect their frontline staff. Also, social distancing marks were attached to the lobby鈥檚 floor and other public areas.
In respect to the health of the hotel鈥檚 staff and visitors, whenever a guest requests a stay for 14 days, if they aren鈥檛 corporate, the guests are asked if they鈥檙e staying for this specific length of time in order to place themselves into self-isolation because of the virus.
鈥淚f a guest is in self-quarantine, no one is permitted in the room for 14 days. They can鈥檛 enter public places [in the hotel] and their food is delivered,鈥� Morrison said.
So far, none of the hotel鈥檚 guests have been in self-quarantine.听听
Although some of the staff hours have been cut, the general mood of the Canalta employees in Assiniboia is optimistic.
鈥淥ur team has a good stress level. I think we鈥檝e been managing quite well,鈥� Morrison said. 鈥淎lthough some of the staff hours have been cut听due to limited services and to ensure the safety of the staff during the pandemic, the overall morale for the Canalta squad in Assiniboia has remained very positive."
The reasoning behind cut hours might seem contradictory, especially during a pandemic where extra cleaning is critical. However, as Morrison explained, 鈥淭he cutbacks are only temporary and only affected departments where their service was shut down or limited due to health authority and governmental rules during the pandemic, or due to childcare closures and staff needing to stay home with their families.鈥�
Morrison is anticipating the moment when the hotel can operate just as the establishment did before the pandemic appeared. 鈥淥ur hope is to have a full staff again once the health authorities allow us to open up more of our services for our guests,鈥� Morrison concluded.
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