COVID-19
PRECAUTIONS & PREPARATIONS

OUR FOUR PILLARS OF HEALTH

RIGOROUS CLEANING • GENEROUS SPACE PROPER PPE • REGULAR SCREENING

As we return to operation, 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 COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS & PREPARATIONS page to share our strategies and protocols for addressing this critical issue. 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.

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.

NAVIGATING THE VIRUS

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 have expanded our precautions, assiduously researching health and safety protocols to develop our operational blueprint. Broadly, we have:

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

We will be updating these protocols as recommendations evolve. Please check back periodically.

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

Masks worn in all public areas whenever strict social distancing is not possible
Guests spaced 6 or more feet apart in the Mediation Hall
Limited class time within the hall, with many activities moved outdoors
Online health survey completed before arrival
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
Temperature screening at arrival
Health and hygiene reminders placed around campus

While on campus, please wear masks, use hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, and adhere to social distancing regulations—not because we don’t love you, but because we do!

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, maintain social distancing guidelines, and abide by the protocols established to combat COVID-19
Wear masks in all public areas and use gloves as appropriate
Wash hands or hand sanitize every time you enter a building
Daily temperature screening

ENHANCED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: FOOD & BEVERAGE

Tables are spaced at least 6 feet apart, with outdoor dining options available
Two meal seatings if necessary to minimize number of people served at one time with strict table- and chair-sanitation protocols between seatings
All buffets and communal beverage services are suspended
All food service items are handled according to FDA Food Code requirements
Kitchen and Dining room doors to outside remain open (weather dependent) to promote fresh air circulation
US Food and Drug Administration’s Best Practices for Reopening Retail Food Establishments During the COVID-19 Pandemic Food Safety Checklist clearly posted

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