COVID Policy

Volunteers serving amazing vegetarian delights

For Visitors: Healthy Hygiene Commitment

AZSAFE+CLEAN CERTIFIEDDiamond Mountain is committed to protecting the life, health and wellbeing of all beings and visitors in particular. To this end we have developed and follow health and hygiene practices outlined below and every staff member has signed a pledge to adhere to these practices.
Diamond Mountain follows the Customer Protection Guidelines as outlined by the the Arizona Tourism and Lodging Association (compliance with the AZLTA AZSAFE + CLEAN standards as well as the Delaware Division of Small Business):

Common Areas

For all Common areas masks are mandatory and 6’/2m distance is required at all time.

We clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in common areas like the Student Center, Library, event room and kitchen (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets, sinks) prior to the arrival and post the departure of every guest.

Room Cleaning Protocol

Our team has strict protocols to limit exposure risk to guests & keep cottages sanitized for the guests prior to arrival and post departure. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is worn during linen & trash removal while cleaning & disinfecting, and set up.

We leave a minimum 4 days between occupancies as an additional precaution.

Ensuring physical distancing during interactions with guests and volunteers:
  • Staff are responsible for ensuring ap 6’/2m distance between themselves, guests and volunteers (on arrival), until the directors decide otherwise
  • Masks will be provided for staff (re-usable), guests (disposable) and volunteers on arrival and for all interactions
  • Guests are asked to wear masks during interactions with other guests, staff and volunteers.
  • Prior to arriving guests will agree in writing to hold to these requests
  • Should a guest choose to decline, the on duty DM staff member will ask them to come another time when it is not an issue
  • If they show up and choose to not follow the request
    1. first ask them to do so again
    2. if they decline the DM staff member will ask them to leave.
A safety & sanitizing station

will be provided at the Library entrance - for the guests, and for the employees.

Staff members are required to keep their personal masks (reusable) with them at all times. Should they forget their mask they will be required to use a disposable mask when interacting with guests.

Each station will include:

  1. Hand Sanitizer
  2. Wipes
  3. Gloves
  4. Face masks and eye masks
  5. Infrared Thermometer

After arriving to meet a guest, staff are encouraged to use hand sanitizer. Staff are encouraged to sanitize your cell phone with UV light once a day (device provided by DM and stored in the office).

Diamond Mountain Vehicles

Our commitment is to deliver guests to hard to reach cottages. Masks and gloves must be worn at all times while in the vehicle.

Rules for transport of guests in the car:

  • Please sit in the backseat of the car.
  • Keep the windows open at all times
  • Car will be cleaned and disinfect pre and post your trip
  • One personal sanitizing pack will be stored in each vehicle onsite.
  • Please feel free to ask for and use any PPE that you feel necessary.
Cancellations

We request a 14 days cancellation notice prior to your scheduled arrival date. Cancellations and/or changes made 14 days or less prior to arrival may be subject to fees:

  • 50% of your total amount will be charged if you cancel or make any changes from 14 to 8 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.
  • 70% of your total amount will be charged if you cancel or make any changes from 7 to 3 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.
  • 100% of your total amount will be charged if you cancel or make any changes from 2 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.

Fees will be waived should a change in AZ state laws be the reason for the cancellation.

For Staff & Volunteers
Healthy Hygiene Practices & Commitments

Diamond Mountain is committed to protecting the life, health and wellbeing of all beings and visitors in particular. To this end we have developed and are committed to the health and hygiene practices outlined below.

Cleaning, disinfection and ventilation practice
Common Areas

We clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in common areas like the Student Center, Library, event room and kitchen (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, handles, desks, toilets, sinks) prior to the arrival and post the departure of every guest.

Room Cleaning Protocol

These guidelines limit exposure risk to guests as well as our team & keep cottages sanitized for the guests prior to arrival and post departure.

One day prior to guest arrival: Set up the room for the guest.

  • Use only clean and sanitized sheets and towels
  • SOFT SURFACES - clean & sanitize (chair cushions, all pillows, rugs, etc.)
  • HARD SURFACES - clean & disinfect (begin in back of room, working from the back towards door, and from the top towards the bottom)
  • DOOR & HANDRAILS - clean & sanitize light switches then doorknobs then handrails last on way out of room
  • PATIO - clean
    Set room for guest
    On the morning of arrival leave windows open.

Three (3) days after a guest departure

  • SHEETS & TOWELS - strip all linens into a trash bag or basket & take to laundry to be sanitized (all linens that are in a room whether they appear used or not, except unused linens from the closet)
  • DISHES - all dishes, cups, silverware, etc. taken to the kitchen to be disinfected
    TRASH - all trash bagged & removed from the room
  • SOFT SURFACES - are cleaned & sanitized (chair cushions, bunco cushion, all pillows, rugs, etc.)
  • HARD SURFACES - are cleaned & disinfected (begin in back of room, working from the back towards door, and from the top towards the bottom)
  • DOOR & HANDRAILS clean & sanitize light switches then doorknobs then handrails last on way out of room
  • PATIO clean & reset
IMPORTANT NOTES:
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and must be worn during linen & trash removal while cleaning & disinfecting, and set up
    • Please pay special attention to frequently touched items such as light switches, phone, remotes, knobs & handles.
Cleaning materials

The EPA maintains a list of cleaners that are effective against Coronavirus.

For sanitizing purposes:

BLEACH must be diluted to a mixture of 1/2 cup bleach to 1 Gallon water. It may be applied with a rag or a sprayer. The surface must remain wet for at least 1 minute to be effective. The surface should then air dry. Please use gloves while handling bleach. Bleach may be used to sanitize hard or soft surfaces (those soft surfaces may be destroyed or bleached white!)

Caution:

    • if inhaled - get outside for fresh air
    • if in eyes or on the skin - rinse with fresh water for 15 -20 minutes
    • If ingested - call 911 and refer to SDS

Bright Solutions LEMON ZIP must not be diluted. It is RTU (ready to use). It must be SPRAYED on, 6 to 8 inches from the surface, with enough coverage for it to remain wet for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes is up the surface should be wiped with a clean MICROFIBER cloth only. Do not use a paper towel or cotton cloth, microfiber only.

Please use gloves while handling Lemon Zip. Lemon Zip may only be used on hard, non- porous surfaces. Please test before using on plastics.

Caution:

    • if inhaled - get outside for fresh air
    • if in eyes or on the skin - rinse with fresh water for 15 -20 minutes
    • If ingested - call 911 and refer to SDS

ODOBAN must be diluted to a mixture of 1 Cup Odoban to 1 Gallon water. It may be sprayed or wiped on to HARD surfaces, with enough coverage for it to remain wet for 5 minutes. Then the surface should be wiped free of any residue with a clean rag or paper towel. It may be sprayed onto SOFT surfaces, enough to saturate the surface for no less than 10 minutes, then blotted with a clean cloth and allowed to air dry.

Caution:

    • If inhaled - get outside for fresh air
    • If in eyes - rinse with fresh water for 15 minutes
    • If on the skin - wash with soap & water, rinse well
    • If ingested - drink milk & call 911, refer to SDS
Sickness monitoring

Measure your temperature every day before you start work using the supplied infrared thermometer. If you are feeling unwell or your temperature is raised, please let the directors know immediately. Stay isolated until you are in the clear. Should you become unwell, let the directors know and you will be helped.

Ensuring Physical distancing

Communications to guests and volunteers:

  • Staff are responsible for ensuring ap 6’/2m distance between themselves, guests and volunteers (on arrival), until the directors decide otherwise
  • Masks will be provided for staff (re-usable), guests (disposable) and volunteers on arrival and for all interactions
  • Prior to arriving guests will agree in writing to hold to these requests
  • Should they choose to decline Dm will ask them to come another time when it is not an issue
  • If they show up and choose to not follow the request
    1. first ask them to do so again
    2. if they decline the DM staff member will ask them to leave.
Providing and wearing protective equipment
Gloves and Masks

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

A safety & sanitizing station

will be provided at the Library entrance - for the guests, and for the employees.

Staff members are required to keep their personal masks (reusable) with them at all times. Should they forget their mask they will be required to use a disposable mask when interacting with guests.

Each station will include:

  1. Hand Sanitizer
  2. Wipes
  3. Gloves
  4. Face masks and eye masks
  5. Infrared Thermometer

After arriving to meet a guest in please use hand sanitizer. Then please sanitize your cell phone with the UV light once a day.

Encouraging teleworking

Diamond Mountain has taken steps to offer their services online.

 

Plans for a return to work phases, where relevant

After PTO or other travel - 2-weeks self-isolation is highly recommended for all staff.

 

Limiting congregation of groups no more than 10 in relation to the size of the locations

Diamond Mountain actively discourages  group bookings larger than ten people as stipulated by the executive order of the AZ governor on March 11, 2020 and have canceled large events for the foreseeable future. However, to ensure the feasibility of the business, we are encouraging solo retreaters to visit. This makes sense as retreats are naturally self isolating events. All due precautions are taken on arrival  and departure of guests when some contact may be necessary.

 

Travel pick up and drop off practices?

This is relevant if one considers out-of-state and international visitors are likely to arrive at airports (Phoenix and Tucson) before heading to DM, increasing their exposure as well as ours. In addition, we often drive guests to hard to reach cottages.

Diamond Mountain Vehicles

As many staff members use vehicles onsite and our commitment is to deliver guests to hard to reach cottages, masks and gloves must be worn at all times while in the vehicle with a guest. 

Rules for transport of guests in the car:

  • Please ask the guest to sit in the backseat of the car.
  • Keep the windows open at all times 
  • Clear and disinfect the care pre and post the trip
  • One personal sanitizing pack will be stored in each vehicle onsite. 
Guest registration

Please ensure that you are familiar with the following steps when meeting guests for registration on arrival:

  • Staff are responsible for ensuring ap 6’/2m distance between themselves, guests and volunteers (on arrival) until the directors decide otherwise
  • Masks and gloves will be provided for staff (re-usable), guests (disposable) and volunteers on arrival and for all interactions
  • Prior to arriving guests will agree in writing to hold to these requests
  • Should they choose to decline, the on duty DM staff member is responsible to ask them to come another time when it is not an issue
  • If they show up and choose to not follow the request:
    1. first ask them to do so again
    2. if they decline the DM staff member will ask them to leave.
Volunteers

Volunteers are asked to follow guidelines and practices as outlined in the section above.

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN SERVE AND STUDY

Dates: Twice yearly. Prior to April “Gift of Liberation: Lam Rim” & October “Arya Nagarjuna Wisdom” Retreats

Program Length: 2-week, 3-week or 4-week programs available

Investment: 2 week program = $250; 3 & 4 week programs = FREE of charge

Positions Available: 10

Open to: Anyone who is spiritually curious or spiritually committed

We provide:

  • Simple accommodations.
  • Meditation, yoga and dharma instruction upon request.
  • Serve for 2-4 weeks and attend the ACI’s “Gift of Liberation: Lam Rim” or “Arya Nagarjuna Wisdom” Retreat for FREE!
  • Transportation to and from Tucson Airport if needed.

“The experience at Diamond Mountain cannot really be reduced to words.  I was able to live my heart’s calling of living and serving retreats.

I was blown away by the embrace of everyone in the community.  You both have an ease to your openness. Thank you for extending me your home and advices.  I am so filled with gratitude.”

-Caitlin MacIntosh, Austin, TX