As at November 2023, there is no ACT Government requirement for businesses to have a COVID Safety Plan. However, CANINE HOOPERS supports being COVID smart for its training operations, encouraging its instructor/s and handlers to observe the following practices.

Instructors who are unwell

Instructors are expected to take reasonable measures if they are unwell, such as cancelling a class or session, wearing face masks to protect handlers or arranging for another instructor to instruct the class prior to class starting.

Handlers who are unwell

Handlers are expected to take reasonable measures if they are unwell, such as missing a class or session, wearing face masks to protect instructors and other handlers or arranging for another handler to attend in their place prior to class starting.

Physical distancing

Instructors and handlers are encouraged to practice physical distancing at the training location. Instructors will set up classes so that handler/dog stations, which is their location in the training area, are set at a minimum of 1.5 metres apart.

Equipment

Any CANINE HOOPERS equipment used by handlers during training, such as target sticks or chairs, will be sanitized after the training session.

Handlers are responsible for sanitizing their own equipment that they use during classes.

Hand sanitizer and good hygiene practices

Instructors and handlers are encouraged to use the alcohol-based hand sanitizer and/or sanitizer wipes provided at training sessions, in particular after using any toilet facilities, blowing their nose or coughing into their hands.

Face masks will be available for instructors/handlers to use if they become unwell during a training session.