Enhanced Gold Star Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures

We want you to know exactly what we are doing to keep you safe. So HANG ON! It’s a lot to read, but it’s because we care about you and our staff greatly!

Methods and Rules of Disinfecting

Implementation of Enhanced Gold Star Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures

It is imperative that all cleaning standards be strictly adhered to in order to ensure safety of all people entering the property at all times.

Providing a clean and risk-free environment for our guests and our staff is of the utmost importance to Villa Incommunicada.  To that end, we will implement the following cleaning protocols in order to mitigate any spread of COVID19.  Cleaning and sanitizing of our accommodations will be completed by competent persons as follows:

  • All Villa Incommunicada staff and cleaners, will wear PPE as appropriate for the specific cleaning activity being completed.  Our Gold Standard Program Manager, Cora Guillen, is a Registered Nurse and will train all staff on the property use and fit of any PPE
  • An Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) will be completed for all identified cleaning and/or work activities.  This analysis will outline all PPE, tools, supplies, procedures, and risks identified for each cleaning activity.  The AHA for each activity, will be kept in the main locked cleaners/owners closet off the kitchen in the main residence.
  • Ensure all dishes and food service items not the responsibility of the cook (all items in kitchen to include plates, cups, silverware, glassware, serving trays, coffee makers, blenders, etc. are property sanitized and washed in water at 80 deg C or above after each group leaves
  • All cleaning crew will adhere to the social distancing policy by keeping a 6 foot distance and wearing approved masks
  • All high touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized using approved cleaning products. This includes all bathroom fixtures, floor, counters, cabinets, door handles, remotes, furniture etc.
  • All bed linens, and towels will be washed at appropriate temperature to ensure sterilization (no less than 60 deg C)
  • Disinfect all hard surfaces upon guest check out

Outdoor Cleaning and Other Miscellaneous Cleaning

  • Clean the pool and pool area daily at a minimum
  • Ensure the pool chemicals and water are always kept to the proper standards
  • Develop and adhere to the AHA Activity Hazard Analysis.  The competent person responsible for the development and adherence to the AHA is Cora Guillen
  • Ensure all high touch surfaces and areas are sanitized at least two times throughout the day.  This includes all door handles, tables, patio furniture, restrooms, buttons etc.
  • Ensure that regular maintenance is carried out on air conditioning vents and filters to promote good air quality throughout the Villa
  • Sanitize all guest luggage upon arrival at the Villa.  Luggage carts are not used so will not need to be addressed 
  • If requested by the guest, luggage may be delivered to the guest room, but will be left outside
  • Adjust all pool and beach seating to adhere to physical distancing if needed, to a minimum distance of 7 feet
  • Sanitize pool seating, patio furniture (to include outdoor tables and chairs) at a minimum of once per day, or after guest use, whichever is more often 
  • High touch areas made of plastic or metal (such as door handles, railings etc) will be cleaned routinely at a minimum of two times daily.

Methods and Rules of Disinfecting

Villa Incommunicada takes disinfection very seriously with the goal to keep all guests and employees healthy.  Disinfecting as a rule will include the following:

  • The use of EPA approved disinfectants
  • Ensure to follow the instructions on the label to make sure of safe and effective use of the product
  • Always read and follow the directions on the label to ensure safe and effective use
  • Wear skin protection and eye protection as needed for potential splash hazards
  • Use no more than the amount recommended on the label
  • Always ensure adequate ventilation
  • Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label)
  • Avoid mixing chemical products
  • Label diluted cleaning solutions
  • Store and use chemicals out of reach of children and pets, in locked cleaning closet in main house
  • You should never eat, drink, breathe or inject these products into your body or apply directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm.
  • Diluted house solutions may also be used as appropriate for the surface
    • Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection and has  
  • Many products recommend:
    • Keeping the surface wet for a period of time after use (see product labels)
    • Precautions such as wearing gloves, and making sure you have good ventilation during the use of the product

Laundry

  • Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely
  • Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick
  • Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items
  • Do not shake dirty laundry
  • Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces
  • Remove gloves, and wash hands right away
  • Ensure all laundry and reusable linens be washed in soap and water heated to 60 C or above.  Also ensure soiled laundry is kept separate from clean laundry at all times and transported in dedicated CLEAN and DIRTY laundry baskets. 

Cleaning of an Area Used by Suspected COVID19 Infection

  • Follow CDC guidelines as applicable or as a minimum as follows:
  • Close off any areas used by a person who may be sick (Villa Incommunicada does not necessarily need to close operations if they can close off affected areas)
  • Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area
  • Wait 3 days before you clean or disinfect.  If 3 days is not feasible, wait as long as possible
  • Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick such as bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment like tablets, keyboards, television remote controls, coffee machines etc. 
  • Vacuum the space if needed.  Use a vacuum equipped with a high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter if available
  • Do not vacuum a room or space that has people in it.  Wait until the room or space is empty to vacuum, such as night (for common areas) or during the day (guest rooms)
  • Once an area has been appropriately disinfected it can be reopened for guest use.  Workers without close contact with the person who is sick can return to work immediately after disinfection
  • If more than 7 days since the person who is sick visited, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary.  Continue routine cleaning and disinfection.  This includes every day practices that we normally use to keep and maintain a clean and healthy environment. 

Terminal Cleaning Procedures

Terminal cleaning is an intense disinfecting procedure that involves removing every detachable item in the room for disinfection and then properly disinfecting light fixtures, air ducts and all surfaces from the ceiling down to the floor. Terminal cleaning methods vary, but usually include removing all detachable objects in the room, cleaning lighting and air duct surfaces in the ceiling, and cleaning everything downward to the floor. Items removed from the room are disinfected or sanitized before being returned to the room.  Villa Incommunicada takes COVID19 very seriously, and as such, if we have a confirmed case, Villa Incommunicada will hire a third-party licensed cleaning expert. This 3rd party will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to properly clean and sanitize the space. Their services are beyond the scope of this plan.