VORTEX Pandemic Preparedness Plan

I. INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 is an ongoing, highly-contagious, airborne virus, we will work together in person at The VORTEX with tremendous care and caution-- any one of us may be asymptomatic/contagious. These protocols help keep all employees/ staff safe and well as promoting honesty in possible exposures. We assure some compensation so no employee puts financial responsibility over public health. We expect ALL staff, employees, and artists to behave responsibly when not at work, including wearing masks, social distancing, extra care in indoor settings, socializing in groups of less than 10, as ordered by the City of Austin. See all City of Austin Stay Home, Stay Safe orders here - http://bit.ly/Austinorders. Updated 12/15/2020, Travis County now has a set of Health Authority Rules we will also abide by - https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Health/Health-Rules-1215-OCR.pdf

 

II. PLAN OF ACTION

  • The VORTEX requires masks be worn properly at all times, inside and outside. Temps and BOL should be taken before each working shift. Employees should leave the premises if levels are abnormal.

  • When eating, drinking, or smoking without a mask, we must maintain 6-10 ft. distance from others and utilize outdoor space whenever possible. Disinfect space after use.

  • Anyone traveling more than 100 miles from the greater-Austin area by community travel (plane, train, bus, boat) or with high exposure must get a negative COVID test prior to returning to work. Camping or similar remote travel is exempt. Employees are responsible for the cost and scheduling of their tests and will provide written documentation of the test to management before resuming work at the VORTEX venue. Missed shifts due to testing or quarantine for travel will not be compensated.  FREE testing is available through the City of Austin and locations are throughout the city and surrounding areas. Employees may schedule these tests online https://www.austintexas.gov/covid-testinfo. 

  • Confirmed exposure to a COVID positive case by any staff, employee, or artist working at The VORTEX must be reported immediately to management. Employees must self-quarantine and can return to work after documentation of negative test results are submitted to management. Employees must arrange their own testing and should be taken no sooner than 5 days after exposure, yet no later than 12 days. Employees will be compensated for up to 14 days of quarantine for scheduled shifts at their standard pay rate. Tipped employees at $15/hour. We will consult the most current CDC guidelines in exposure on an individual basis. Was everyone wearing a mask? How close was the distance? Was the exposure more than 15 minutes? Was the exposure indoors? Who are the people affected by this exposure? Is there additional contact tracing needed?  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

  • In the event an employee at the VORTEX, The Butterfly Bar, or working artists (full-time, part-time, contractual) test positive for COVID-19, Management will investigate the severity of exposure/ contamination and may determine The VORTEX operations close to the public for disinfection and/or a quarantine period. ALL Staff/ Employees exposed must self-quarantine. After no less than 5 days of quarantine, a Covid-19 test may be taken and the employee allowed to return to work after 7 days of symptom-free quarantine and documentation of negative test results are submitted to management.

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