PERTH OBSERVATORY & COVID-19
Q&A
by Julie Matthews
As the State Government continue easing of COVID-19 restrictions, there are many questions on our minds. Training Coordinator Julie Matthews chats to POVG Chair Colin Armstrong about why you can feel at ease joining us on tours. Julie: How are we keeping volunteers and visitors safe on tours?
Do Perth Observatory volunteers have special training?
Who is cleaning door handles, ladder rails, and telescope eyepieces?
All Perth Observatory Volunteers on our tours have completed AHA
Telescope Operators are cleaning
Hospital and Tourism COVID-19
the eyepieces. During tours
Hygiene Training. In addition,
the doors to telescope domes
briefings before tours remind
are open so there's no need for
volunteers of the standards and
additional cleaning.
protocols required. Because all visitors sanitise their We also communicate COVID-19
hands first, while ladder handrail
restrictions, policies and procedures
cleaning is frequent, it's
to volunteers and visitors,
unnecessary to do between every
electronically and via notices around
visitor.
the venue.
How many visitors are on a tour?
How do we know cleaning has been done?
Colin: Health and safety is our
Phase 3 of the COVID-19 WA
A Hygiene Officer is on duty for
priority. On top of a very rigorous
roadmap allows us a maximum of up
every tour, and they will ensure
cleaning and sanitising schedule,
to 100 visitors, per single undivided
appropriate cleaning has been
we've refreshed the kitchen and
space, and up to 300 visitors on site
done. You will see in the foyer a
lecture theatre to maintain 1.5m
(excluding volunteers and staff) --
notice identifying that day’s Host
between tables.
though we don't expect that many
and Hygiene Officer.
guests! Volunteers and visitors will all follow
We have cleaning schedules
rules for maintaining a healthy
We comply with State and Federal
displayed throughout the
distance throughout the venue and
Government requirements, and
observatory, including the Foyer,
maintaining the 2 square metres per
satisfy individual volunteers'
Museum, Shop, Toilets, Domes.
person. We also have a new one-
preparedness to work.
These record the date, time and
way traffic flow, with a dedicated entrance and another dedicated exit.
Does the Observatory have hand sanitiser?
Initials of the cleaning, like in public
What happens when visitors arrive for a tour? As you expect at Perth Observatory, you get warmly welcomed, with hand sanitiser. As all bookings are
Yes, we have multiple hygiene
made online, we then mark you
stations throughout the Observatory
'arrived' on our list.
site with alcohol-based hand
conveniences such as airports, and shopping centres.
What happens if an observatory visitor later tests positive for COVID-19? If this situation arises, POVG will cooperate with the Public Health
sanitiser, including our entrance
We're also checking body
Authorities to make the necessary
foyer, telescope domes, toilets, and
temperatures and asking some basic
arrangements.
other buildings.
health questions.
We conduct and record thorough
Is the shop open?
Perth Observatory maintains a
and regular cleaning of common
comprehensive record of volunteers, as well as visitors to the
contact surfaces, ‘high touch’ items
Yes, and we're restricting entry to
Observatory, to assist authorities
and shared amenities.
two visitors at a time. Everyone is
with contact tracing in the event of
asked to sanitise their hands before
a COVID-19 case.
entry, and avoid touching items where possible. We also encourage cashless payments.
Thank you Colin! We look forward to a safe future and clear night skies.