As at 15/12/21 We require:

• Check in with QR code on the day
• Presigned online Smart Waiver

●      Pilots and crew who show any symptoms of COVID-19 must not come to work, and seek medical advice

●      Social distancing between staff and passengers must be maintained at all times, where practicable.

●      Staff should wear face masks in the vehicle and in the balloon..

●      Gloves must not be shared between crew and between crew and passengers

●      Crew radios, will be  cleaned between use.

●      All employees are encouraged to have the COVIDSafe app loaded and working on their smartphone.  Note that it is illegal to mandate this as a condition of employment

●      If a employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 they should follow the advice contained in the Safe Work Australia Fact Sheet which you can find here: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/what-do-if-worker-has-covid-19-infographic

●      COVID safe information is included on the BJF website and can be found here and also in the flight confirmation form. 

This includes information on how we are “keeping our passenger safe during your balloon flight”.

●      Passengers who have special needs (e.g. physical disability) and will require assistance to get into the basket must be told that crew will be unable to assist and that a family member must be present to assist and/or go with them as a paying passenger on the flight

●       Passengers are informed at checkin that hand sanitiser is not allowed in balloon basket (see Para 9 “In the basket” below)

●      If a passenger has tested positive to Covid19 they must  have 2 consecutive negative results before  they can take a flight.

●      On the morning before leaving home or when arriving at the meeting point, all passengers should complete the BJF Waiver form to work out if they are at risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days..

●      If a passenger answers “yes” to any of the questions, they must not participate in the flight and will need to make alternative arrangements based on their personal circumstances and company policy.

●      The 4 questions are asked as an extension to the current waiver and indemnity form that all passengers sign before a flight –  the strong preference is that they have already answered those questions prior to arriving at the meeting point.

●      Passenger temperatures will be taken by contactless thermometer e.g. non contact infrared type. . If you have a temperature, you will not be able to participate in your balloon flight for the safety of other passengers and our staff, you will need to contact our office to make alternative arrangements”

●      A fever is present if temperature is 38°C or over.  A normal temperature is around 36-37°C, although it depends on your age, what you’ve been doing, the time of day and how you take the measurement.

●      Preflight information or confirmation email  includes wording to encourage use of COVIDSafe App on smartphone. Note, it is illegal to make it mandatory.

●      Social distancing – abide by current guidelines  for groups, for people not from the same household.

●      Hand sanitiser and face masks will be available at the check in point

●      The checkin will be in an outdoor location.

●      The morning briefing by the pilot will include verbally going through the COVID-19 procedures.

●      Passengers are strongly encouraged to wear masks whilst they are in the company vehicle as social distancing cannot be maintained at 1.5 metres

●      Hand sanitiser and masks will be available before boarding the company vehicle.

●      Passengers are strongly encouraged to wear masks whilst they are in the company vehicle as social distancing cannot be maintained at 1.5 metres

●      Passengers  should have pre signed the online waiver or bring their own pen & sign an individual release form. For contact traceability ALL passengers MUST check in on the day using the Service NSW QR code.

●      If  taking money on the day for the flight, this will be taken via “contactless means” (e.g.eftpos tap and go.)

 ●      Hand sanitiser and masks will be made available before boarding the vehicle.

●      Passengers should be strongly encouraged to wear masks whilst they are in the vehicle as social distancing cannot be maintained at 1.5 metres. A record on the manifest will kept of people who did not wear a mask

●      Provide information to passengers upon confirmation of their balloon flight that they will be required to wear a mask.

●      We will try and limit the time that people are in vehicles to 15 minutes (maximum).  It is recommended not leave people in vehicles when stationary. We will  offer for them to come out of the vehicle for fresh air when the pilot and crew are conducting a pi-ball/weather check.  This is so passengers are not spending a long time in a confined space.

●      Passengers should be reminded about social distancing, including distances from spectators or other balloons on a common launch field. The crew chief is responsible for this action.

●      Crew must only use their own gloves.  All crew gloves to be named with that crew member

 Additional protections for passengers in the balloon basket where social distancing (1.5 metres) cannot be observed:

●      Family and friend groups to be placed in basket compartments together;

●      Passengers are always outwards facing except when it is time for “landing positions”, it is not possible to face outwards.  This is only for a small amount of time so this is considered a small risk;

●      Pilot & all passengers to be strongly encouraged to wear face masks;

●      Limiting the number of passengers

If people need assistance to get into and out of the basket, crew will be unable to assist (due to social distancing requirements) and a family member must be on hand to assist.

Whilst in the basket, passengers will be encouraged not to move around the basket.

Carriage of hand sanitiser in baskets

Current advice is that alcohol based hand sanitisers are the most effective against the virus .  Unfortunately most hand sanitiser products contain a high volume of alcohol, which is the reason for hand sanitiser fire hazard concerns.

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are classified as Class I Flammable Liquid substances and should not be carried in a balloon basket.  Installing pump packs of alcohol based hand sanitiser in passenger compartments is not approved.

Screening of passengers for these items. This will be covered at checkin. 

The risk is obvious, any incident with fire in the basket could be greatly complicated by an uncontrolled fuel source such as hand sanitiser.

10.

Interaction with Landowners on launch and land

Public Relations

●      The relationship with landowners needs to be managed carefully.

●      BJF management are responsible for  advising local residents and landowners that hot air balloon operations will be starting soon and that Covid 19  safety plans have been implemented.

●      When interacting with Landowners, observe social distancing requirements. (e.g. 1.5 metres).

●      When locking and unlocking gates, you must wipe down the gate or ensure that the crew have gloves on.

●      Passengers that are involved in the packup will be reminded about social distancing, including distances from spectators and other balloons at common landing area

●      Use of sanitiser or wearing of disposable gloves if they are touching balloon fabric.

●      Passengers to continue to wear  masks

●      Only a few people and spread them all out (e.g. for putting the envelope back in the bag). 

A safe disposal facility for masks and disposable gloves, disposable wipes etc. will be provided on return to the breakfast facility

●      Onsite breakfast COVIDSafe requirements will be  managed by the venue within their own COVIDSafe plan for hospitality.

A Cleaning and sanitising record of vehicles and balloons will be kept on the daily Passenger manifest with a signature of who performed this task and the date

●      Cleaning and sanitising will be performed as per the BJF  cleaning schedule.

Vehicle Cleaning Program

Item

Method

Frequency / Comments

Vehicle Interior

Dispose of all rubbish

Rubbish bags and disposable gloves in all vehicles to dispose of all rubbish post flight.

Daily and multiple times during and after every hot air ballooning experience.

Dash / Doors /Vinyl Surfaces and Plastic Trim / Gear Shift / Driver Gauges / Steering Wheel / Rear View Mirror and Sun Visor

Clean with neutral detergent, warm water and clean cloth, disinfectant wipes and dry with disposable paper towels.

Avoid bleach except on simple plastics.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Clean with neutral detergent, warm water and clean cloth, multi-purpose cleaner or steam clean and dry with disposable paper towels.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Take out all floor mats, shaking them and giving them a good wipe down with neutral detergent, warm water and clean cloth, multi-purpose cleaner OR disinfectant wipes and dry with disposable paper towels.

Mop with detergent, warm water and clean utensils

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Roll down the windows and windshield interiors using microfiber cloth and window cleaner.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

When cleaning vehicle’s interiors, keep these tips in mind:

• Soap is always your best bet. It is harmful to coronavirus.
• Avoid bleach except on simple plastics.
• Don’t use solvents.
• Hand sanitisers contain alcohol, which can dry out leather. Use leather conditioner to keep it healthy.
• When in doubt, test cleaners on a surface that can’t be easily seen first.
• Wipe off what you wipe on; don’t leave chemicals to linger.
• Prioritise the surfaces you touch. Don’t forget buttons and switches, your rear-view mirror, even your petrol cap.

Source: AutoBlog

Vehicle Exterior

Rinse Vehicle

Hose or pressure wash to remove loose dirt.

Lift the windshield wipers and spray the cracks below each wiper.

Rinse the undersides of the wheel hub caps.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Clean Vehicle Including Door Handles and Petrol Cap

Clean with car cleaning liquid or use of mild dishwashing liquid in bucket of water for unwaxed finishes.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Use a product like Windex or solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water.

To avoid streaking on windows, allow them to dry for a few hours before you roll down the windows.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Clean Finish

Before water spots have a chance to ruin the finish, use a towel to dry the surface.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Balloon Basket Cleaning Program

Item

Method

Frequency / Comments

Cleaning soft porous like surfaces in and around the basket

Although detergent can be generally used to clean fabric surfaces it is not recommended for balloon upholstery and padding.

Instead if more thorough cleaning is needed, fabric surfaces may be steam cleaned.

Source: Safe Work Australia

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Cleaning leather in and around the basket

Liquid hand or dish washing detergent interacts with the virus in a way that degrades it very quickly and destroys it.

Source: AutoBlog

Daily after every ballooning experience.

Vacuum and clean with detergent and warm water.

Daily after every ballooning experience.

When cleaning balloon interiors, and frequently touched areas please keep in mind:

• All solvents including alcohol, acetone, kerosene, bleach or chlorine solutions are not recommended on any Kavanagh Balloon products, should be avoided and not used on textiles or metals.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are classified as Class I Flammable Liquid substances and should not be carried in a balloon basket.  Installing pump packs of alcohol based hand sanitiser in passenger compartments is not approved
• Screening of passengers for these items should be considered at this time where many people may be carrying it with them.
• The risk is obvious, any incident with fire in the basket could be greatly complicated by an uncontrolled fuel source such as hand sanitiser.
• Source: Sean Kavannagh Advice and Recommendation