Ensuring a Safe Environment
Our intention is to reopen the centre in a way that respects the guidelines that have been outlined by the HSE and the Irish Government.
We are all learning how to live safely in this new world where we face potential risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.
It is important that we all support each other, and respect our individual differences and needs in relation to staying safe during these challenging time.
With this in mind we have implemented guidelines that must be adhered to to ensure the safety of all our guests and staff alike.
Please read the following before booking the retreat. If you do not meet the essential criteria, please do not book until you can meet these criteria.
If you have any other concerns or questions please contact us directly before booking.
Above all else, we look forward to welcoming you to our very positive and uplifting atmosphere and environment.
Anybody entering the centre including guests must agree to all of the safety policies below.
The Most Essential Criteria
In order to prevent anybody with high risk of being infected from entering the centre, each person must guarantee the following;
- Have had no contact with any infected person or with any person within a high risk category of being infected in the 21 days preceding a retreat
- Have not traveled by plane for at least 21 days preceding a retreat
- Not be feeling unwell in any way (including high temperature, cough, loss of sense of taste or smell, or any form of the flu or any flu like symptoms) when they arrive at the centre or in the 21 days preceding a retreat
Single bedrooms & Shared bedrooms
- No strangers are allowed to share a bedroom.
- Couples or friends may come together sharing a bedroom with each other… but not with anybody else.
- Everybody else must book a single bedroom.
Unfolding guidelines over the coming months
As this is a new situation we are all facing, the guidelines from the Government and the HSE may change over the coming months, and we will ensure that our own guidelines are in line with any new changes.
For example, it may become a firm guideline for people to wear face masks when indoors in small groups. Currently we respect everybody’s individual preference to wear a face mask while they are here, but we are not making it mandatory. However this may change depending on the guidelines for the HSE and the Irish Government.
What is expected when you arrive and while you are here
- We take the temperature of all guests and all staff as they arrive and maintain a record of these. Your temperature must be within the normal range and not show any sign of an elevated temperature.
- If someone drops you off, we ask them not to come into the centre and to leave you at the front door.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water when you arrive and also commit to frequent hand washing each day.
- Adhere to the social distancing guidelines that we have in place.
- Respect that the kitchen will be off limits to everybody except our chef during food preparation.
- Follow any directions given by our staff at any time in relation to social distancing or any other safety measures.
- No sharing of any utensils or equipment.
- Obviously no hand shaking, kissing or hugging.
- You should not touch anybody else or have any human direct physical contact while here on the retreat.
- In any areas where physical space is limited, please stand back or wait to allow others space to pass by.
Guided Outings
We will not have car sharing on our guided outings. Each person is expected to use their own car for the guided outing.
If you come by public transport, you may go for local walks yourself while the rest of the group goes on their guided outing using their own cars.
It may be possible for Dave to drive you in his car and if so, you are expected to wear a mask at all times.
Respect for individual differences
We show respect for any additional measures that any guests or staff wish to take in order to protect their own health and / or peace of mind.
- Wearing of a face mask is completely accepted and normal, and anybody is free to wear one at any time or all of the time while they are here. The Centre will follow any changes in the Government and HSE guidelines on face-coverings in case thesew change over the coming months.
- Some people prefer to wear gloves and that is perfectly acceptable.
- Some guests may prefer not to eat with the rest of the group and that is perfectly fine.
- Everybody should feel free to take time away from the group and relax in their own room, even eat in their own room if they prefer, or to go for walks or sit outside at any time.
- It is quite common for people to bring their own hand sanitizer in case they prefer to also combine this with also washing their hands with soap and water. Please note that using hand sanitizer should not be considered a replacement for hand washing with soap and water and frequent hand washing with soap is a norm that must be adopted by all people in the centre.
What to bring with you
- Your own yoga mat, a cushion for meditation, a blanket to put over you for relaxation, and any props you might like to use such as a bolster, foam blocks, yoga belt. If you don’t have your own mat, you may buy one here for €20. This can be a good encouragement to start your own daily home practice after the retreat.
- Many people bring their own hand sanitizer to use in addition to frequent hand washing with soap and water
- You may like to bring some face masks with you so you have them to wear if you feel like it. In case the Government make this a firm guideline, it is worth buying some of these for yourself now.
- Many people bring gloves
Suggestions or other Requests
We are all learning how to live safely in this new world where we face potential risk of exposure to the Covid-19 virus.
If you have any suggestions of ways that we can improve, please let us know.
If you have any specific concerns or request that you would like to make, please also let us know.
It is important that we all support each other, and respect our individual differences and needs in relation to staying safe during these challenging time.
A wonderful uplifting positive environment
Above all else, we look forward to welcoming you to our very positive and uplifting atmosphere and environment.
Reviewed 14th March 2019
