WA's hospitality industry is being prepared for a return to business with the launch of a mandatory COVID-19 hygiene training program to protect the public and venue staff.
The initiative ensures strong COVID-19 protections will be in place when restrictions are eased in the future.
The specialised COVID-19 hygiene training course will need to be successfully completed by every staff member employed at a hospitality venue - with businesses strictly only able to reopen when the requirements are met.
The course draws on State and Federal health directions regarding COVID-19.
The AHA Hospitality & Tourism COVID-19 Hygiene Course covers the following key elements:
- Understanding COVID-19 and venue restrictions;
- Reporting personal health issues;
- Maintaining personal and work environment hygiene practices, specific to COVID-19;
- Reducing cross contamination through procedures, specific to COVID-19; and
- Effective cleaning and sanitising practices, specific to COVID-19
The course is two-tiered, with all staff required to successfully complete the first component, and managers and supervisors required to complete the second, more advanced aspect.
Every venue must have a staff member with the more advanced accreditation on shift at all times, as the venue's dedicated hygiene officer.
Businesses will also have to display signage that the venue is compliant with all conditions.
Staff will receive a certificate of completion, a badge and wallet card which contains prompters of the key learning outcomes from the course.
Venues will receive a certificate of participation, front and back of house posters, a door sticker and bar and table 'talkers'.
Western Australia's 70,000 hospitality workers are encouraged to study the Tier 1 course material and complete the assessment now at http://www.hospitalityhygiene.com/
The more advanced Tier 2 aspect, for venue hygiene officers, will launch on the website on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
The AHA Hospitality & Tourism COVID-19 Hygiene Course is supported by the McGowan Government and is being delivered by the Australian Hotels Association (WA).
Existing social distancing regulations for hospitality businesses remain in place, with any future easing of restrictions dependent on expert health advice.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"While we're not there yet, we need to make sure our businesses are prepared.
"We have recently relaxed some restrictions to allow Western Australians to give people more choice if they want to interact with their family and friends.
"This new mandatory course will help the sector to appropriately plan and prepare for future adjustments whereby workers and patrons alike are better protected from the virus once business is able to resume.
"This mandatory, specialised course will ensure that every single worker employed at a WA hospitality business has the skills and knowledge to protect themselves, their colleagues and their customers from COVID-19.
"WA has experienced some encouraging results of late because we're doing all we can to combat the virus and this Government will continue to do our best in supporting the local economy as we work towards a recovery."
As stated by Small Business and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"The road to recovery for WA's restaurants, cafes, bars and other hospitality businesses starts here.
"The course has been specifically developed to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
"It is based on the highest hygiene, food safety, cleaning and disinfecting regulations - with each venue required to have a dedicated COVID-19 hygiene officer on shift at all times.
"When the time comes, no hospitality businesses will be given approval to reopen without showing that every employee has successfully passed the course's formal assessment.
"The Australian Hotels Association has over 20 years' experience providing industry-specific training and is well equipped to deliver this important program.
"Western Australia's tens of thousands of hospitality workers can be assured that the McGowan Government is absolutely focused on getting them back to work as safely and quickly as possible."
