Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2020) While the health risk for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in San Diego County remains low, we continue to monitor the virus closely. We want to assure you that the health and safety of our staff, animals, and community is our top priority.
Therefore, we want to make you aware of some of the steps and preparations that we are taking as we deal with the updates related to Coronavirus.
This means that our team is working diligently to continue to:
• Educate our employees on the hazards of the virus, and what they can do to prevent the spread of germs and viruses.
• Provide a safe environment for all. We have distributed materials to our staff providing information about the virus and preventive measures staff can take. Employees have been asked not to come to work if they display symptoms of illness or have traveled outside the country. Our employees have paid sick leave and will stay home if they are sick.
• Carry out cleanliness standards above and beyond what is recommended. We are sanitizing all of our surfaces and telling employees to sanitize their hands regularly.
• Educate our employees on the reality of the virus, so that they are well-informed..
• We have closed down programming and operations at our Club Pet Boarding and Resale Shop, moved Education department operations online, limited Companion Animal Hospital operations, and moved our Adoptions to appointment only.
We encourage everyone to practice the following measures to ensure their own health and safety:
- Wash hands – with warm water and soap – for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Cover cough or sneeze using your elbow and not your hand.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water is unavailable.
- Avoid close contact with people.
- Avoid shaking hands to prevent the spread of germs. Consider a quick wave or elbow bump.
- If you sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.
- Consider using a paper towel or tissue to open common area doors, wherever possible.
- Stay home if you are sick.
For additional information about COVID-19, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov or your local health department website: coronavirus-sd.com (San Diego), ochealthinfo.com (Orange County) and rivcoph.org (Riverside).
Thank you,
Mike Arms
President and CEO
Helen Woodward Animal Center
