COVID-19
PRECAUTIONS & PREPARATIONS

RIGOROUS CLEANING • GENEROUS SPACE

At the Dharmakaya Center we have always maintained the highest levels of cleanliness—after all, we are a center dedicated to fostering wellbeing. With the onset of COVID-19, we expanded our precautions, assiduously researching health and safety protocols to develop our operational blueprint.

We believe that our small size and spacious grounds enable us to follow best practices for safety while continuing to provide programs that feel more essential than ever.

To be present on property, one needs to be a guest, a volunteer or a staff member. With only private rooms, each designed to promote seclusion, and a spacious, light- and air-filled Meditation Hall, set on our 90-plus-acre campus, we are ideally suited to allow for more space, naturally.

Still, many people are—quite reasonably—concerned about any travel these days. We have compiled this page to share our strategies and protocols; we have been updating our protocols as recommendations evolve, so please check back periodically. We also encourage you to speak with us directly if you have any questions or concerns about our policies at the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing.

NAVIGATING THE VIRUS

We are helping combat the spread of COVID-19 by lowering staff and guest counts, expanding social distancing, eliminating potential threats where possible, mitigating them through controls where not, and ensuring Personal Protective Equipment usage where appropriate.

At this time, in keeping with New York State policies, masks are optional. Individual teachers may have different requirements. If they do, it will be noted on their program page.

These FAQs address our retreatants' most common concerns; please scroll down for more detail.

CAN ANYONE VISIT THE CENTER?

We welcome visitors from around the world. However, if you are visiting from outside New York State, we ask that you check the New York State travel guidelines to understand any government-mandated travel restrictions: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory

IS THERE A PRE-ARRIVAL HEALTH SCREENING?

Yes, all guests receive a standard health survey 1 day before arrival; they also receive a temperature screening as part of check in.

DO STAFF MEMBERS UNDERGO DAILY SCREENING?

Yes, staff do a daily self-assessment and temperature check. They are also following strict hygiene protocols.

WHAT IS YOUR MASK POLICY?

In keeping with New York State and CDC Guidelines, mask wearing is optional for both guests and staff. We ask that those who wish to mask bring their own.

IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE OPEN WINDOWS?

All our meeting rooms, bedrooms and our Dining Hall have windows and doors that open to the outside, so we can supplement our circulating air with fresh air.

WHAT ARE YOUR CLEANING PROTOCOLS?

We have enhanced our already detailed cleaning process with an additional 40-point protocol for meetings rooms, guest rooms, the Dining Hall and bathrooms, paying special attention to high-touch areas. Please see ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS below for additional detail.

WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE FALLS ILL?

If a retreatant begins to feel ill while on campus, they should immediately notify our staff. We will help them seek immediate local medical care or make their way home. We will also keep fellow retreatants apprised of the situation as it develops.

FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

In establishing our protocols we have broadly:

Adopted all measures recommended by New York State, the Centers for Disease Control and the WHO
Followed New York State gathering guidelines
Adopted Safe Stay Guidelines, developed by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and Best Practices for Reopening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic from the US Food and Drug Administration
Adopted best practices developed by other centers

Slight cough you assume is seasonal allergies? Tickle in your throat that is probably dry air? Exhaustion you attribute to lack of sleep? If you are experiencing any symptoms, no matter how mild, or think there is any possibility you have been exposed to COVID, PLEASE TEST BEFORE YOU COME. Someone's life could depend on it.

ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS

Use of hospital-grade disinfectants throughout the campus, including all public spaces and bedrooms
Team members dedicated to continual cleaning of high-touch areas
Disinfectant wipes and/or hand sanitizer available in all bathrooms and in key areas around campus
Rooms cleaned immediately after departure; during a stay, housekeeping will not enter a room unless specifically requested by a guest

ENHANCED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: GUESTS

Online health survey completed before arrival
Masks optional
Stay rescheduled or cancelled with no penalty if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste or smell, or fever
Health and hygiene reminders placed around campus

ENHANCED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

All team members receive COVID-19 safety and facility sanitation protocol training per CDC recommendations
All team members pledge to stay home when sick, frequently wash hands, hand sanitize, and abide by the protocols established to combat COVID-19

In addition to the precautions listed above, we have implemented a number of “behind the scenes” safeguards to help maximize safety.

ADDRESSING HEALTH CONCERNS

Guests, staff and volunteers who are or suspect they may be sick should remain at home until 14-days from the time they are symptom-free
Anyone with a confirmed case of coronavirus should immediately notify the Dharmakaya Center team; we will alert any guests who may have been exposed

COVID-19PRECAUTIONS & PREPARATIONS