Hot Springs submits venue’s health plan

HOT SPRINGS — The city’s advertising and promotions agency on Thursday submitted its health and sanitation plan for the Hot Springs Convention Center to the Arkansas Department of Health in accordance with a directive that allows large venues to reopen Monday at 33% occupancy with an approved plan.

“We are submitting our plan, so we’re ready to go,” said Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs. “We’re trying to get ready to be open for business just in case something comes along and we’ll be ready to go.

“We’ve had zero events since March 8 when the governor canceled the last two days of state basketball. … We’re basically vacant until July.”

Arrison said “hopefully” events will get back to 100% capacity “very soon.”

A 33% capacity for the convention center is dependent on many factors.

“[It] just depends on what room you’re in,” Arrison said. “If you’re in the arena, which is 6,500, 33% of that would be … 2,145 based on that. And with the various meeting rooms … it all depends on the individual event and the room it’s going to be held in and how the events are set up. … That will be determined (on) an event-by-event basis.”

Arrison said officials began working on their plan in April.

The center’s six-page plan covers employee and guest health; employees’ responsibilities; cleaning products and protocols; and physical distancing. It also covers department-specific sanitation policies, which include front offices and back-of-house, public areas, housekeeping and event setup.

Employee and guest health will involve physical distancing, hand sanitizer dispensers, signage for health and hygiene reminders, and immediate notification to managers or event coordinators of employees or guests who exhibit covid-19 symptoms while at the facility.

Employee responsibilities include hand washing, training on covid-19 safety and sanitation protocols, appropriate personal protective equipment being worn by all employees based on their role, and sanitizing hands after clocking in.

Cleaning products and protocols include the cleaning of public spaces and communal areas, elevators and escalators, employee areas, shared equipment and air filter and HVAC.

Physical distancing restrictions include clearly marking appropriate physical distancing in any areas where guests or employees line up, as well as employees ensuring separation between themselves and guests during receptions and registrations.

Guidelines for large venues include:

■ Reopening up to 33% capacity with a plan approved by the state’s secretary of health.

■ Performers/players/contestants must be separated from the audience by at least 12 feet and must be limited in 50 or fewer.

■ Lines or cues for entrance, exit, making purchases or for other activities must be marked or monitored to ensure a distance of 6 feet between people.

■ Seating must be arranged to maintain a 6-foot distance between members of the audience.

■ Family groups may sit together, but 6 feet should be maintained between groups.

■ Every other row seating should be unoccupied to provide for 6 feet of physical distancing.

■ Face coverings are required for all persons present, except for children younger than 10.

■ Performers/players/contestants may be without a face covering if they are 12 feet from other people.

■ Signs must be posted at all entrances advising the public not to enter if they have fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell, or if they have had known exposure to someone with covid-19 in the past 14 days.

■ Signs must be posted at all entrances advising the public they may wish to refrain from entering if they are 65 or older, or if they have underlying health conditions including high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, severe obesity, asthma or weakened immunity.

■ Hand sanitizer stations must be available at all entrances and exits.

■ Refreshments may be served. However, self-service operations, including but not limited to salad bars, buffets and condiment bars, are not allowed.

■ Catered events are allowed with caterer-served buffets or plated meals.

■ Seating must be arranged to maintain 10-foot physical distancing between tables so occupied seats are six feet from seats at adjacent tables.

■ The facility, including seating, shall be cleaned and disinfected before and after each use.

■ Frequently touched surfaces shall be cleaned periodically during the event.