WA introduces mandatory hygiene training for venues

All hospitality and tourism workers will be required to complete the training before going back to work.

Western Australia’s hospitality industry is being prepared for a return to business with the launch of a mandatory COVID-19 hygiene training program.

The specialised COVID-19 hygiene training course, run in partnership with the state government and the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) WA, will need to be successfully completed by every staff member employed at a hospitality venue. Businesses will only be able to reopen once all requirements of the initiative are met.

The AHA Hospitality & Tourism COVID-19 Hygiene Course draws on state and federal health directions regarding COVID-19 and 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 complete the basic training, while a second more detailed Hygiene Officer course will be required for managers and supervisors.

When re-opening occurs, each venue must have one hygiene officer on duty at all times to ensure venue compliance. The more advanced tier-two aspect, for venue hygiene officers, will launch on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

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’.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said the 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.”

AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the new and innovative online course will equip hospitality staff and management with a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19 hygiene requirements, helping prepare businesses to re-open safely and responsibly.

“This is the first hospitality and tourism specific COVID-19 hygiene course of its type in Australia and will put WA in a front line position for when venues re-open,” Woods said.

“To ensure hospitality businesses are prepared to re-open, it is important that all staff have the necessary training and knowledge to minimise the risk for staff and customers contracting COVID-19.”

“The AHA Hospitality & Tourism COVID-19 Hygiene Course has been specifically designed to help the sector to implement measures that will continue to reduce the risks associated with COVID-19 in respect to hygiene, cleaning and social distancing measures.”

Woods said WA’s hospitality industry has borne a heavy burden as a result of the restrictions that have been in place since March, however venues also recognise the important role they play in reducing the spread of the virus both now and upon re-opening.

“WA has been remarkably successful in containing COVID-19 and hospitality venues will have an important role to play in continuing this success and getting back on the road to recovery – this training course will help ensure this occurs,” Woods said.

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