Keeping up on COVID Rules at the Makerspace
Hey everyone, Alex the General Manager here. I wanted to take a moment to thank our members for all their continued support during one of the most difficult events of our lifetimes. The Makerspace exists to support our community, and it survives because of its community.
We have managed to stay open and stay healthy since June of last year, and this is in no small part to our members taking the COVID safety precautions we put in place seriously. I’m grateful to report there has only been one instance we have had to do contact tracing on an asymptomatic case here, and it did not spread to anyone that was in close contact. Again, it is thanks to our members staying diligent that this was the case.
While things are starting to look up and there may be an end in sight to the pandemic, it’s still important to stay diligent about these precautions. Always wearing your mask (making sure it covers your nose), sanitizing your hands and the objects you touch, using the time reserve page on the website, all are still critical to do every time you’re at the shop.
If you need a refresher on the rules, please view the recent version of our COVID Rules for Members below. There is a copy online that stays up to date here: COVID Rules for Members.
Our COVID Task Force still meets on a regular basis every 2 weeks, so if you have questions or comments about the COVID rules you would like us to review please email us at covid-19@portcitymakerspace.com.
COVID Rules for Members: (last updated 12/12/2020)
All members must read and agree to these new rules to enter the Makerspace.
Access to the Makerspace will be temporarily restricted to reservation-only for members and volunteers; all members and volunteers are required to reserve time at the space ahead of their visit. Reservations can be made at: https://www.portcitymakerspace.com/reserve-time/
Time reservations will be 4 hours max. You may not enter before your reservation, and must leave promptly when your time is up.
Each time you make a reservation at the space, you will be asked questions regarding symptoms. and record temperature. Please answer these as accurately as possible. If you have any doubt about your health condition or exposure status, please do not come to the Makerspace.
Enter and Exit through the Classroom door. There is a check-in station where you can take your temperature, sanitize your hands, and grab a spray bottle of dilute bleach.
Wear a mask at all times. Surgical or cloth masks are preferred. Ensure the mask seals over your face properly and covers your nose and chin.
Wash/Sanitize your hands immediately upon entering and before leaving.
Grab a spray bottle upon entering. These contain dilute bleach for sanitizing tools, equipment, and surfaces that you touch. There is also alcohol-based sanitizer for use on metal surfaces. Note: Bleach will rust metal surfaces. DO NOT USE BLEACH ON CAST IRON.
Stay 6 feet apart from others at all times.
Try to limit how many things you touch. If you can, bring a personal toolkit for little things you use regularly.
Try to stay mainly in one shop/area. Avoid setting up your project work area near high-use tools or high-traffic aisles.
Report symptoms or confirmed cases IMMEDIATELY to ContactTracing@portcitymakerspace.com if you have been in the space in the past 2 weeks.
Each room will have a maximum capacity. Respect the limits posted in each space. If a room is at capacity, wait for someone to leave, or quickly walk through it.
Please swipe your RFID tag when entering and leaving. This will help keep track of who was at the space for the purposes of contact management.
Recently sick? Stay away. Do not come until the following conditions have been met:
3 days with no fever and
Symptoms improved and
10 days since symptoms first appeared
Be responsible for enforcing these rules and keeping each other safe. If you see someone breaking these rules, say something to them or to the Manager.
Members and volunteers only: No guests or public visitors. (Exception: prospective members that have made an appointment, contractors performing work.)
If a member is caught violating these new rules, they will be notified and reminded to follow these rules. After 3 notices, your access will be temporarily suspended for 7 days. Repeated violations could result in suspension of membership.
If you have traveled out of the New England area, do not come to the Makerspace for 10 days after you returned, or have received a negative COVID test since you have returned.
Note: These rules may change, with or without notice, in order to comply with local, state and national regulations and to implement best practices.
BUILDING CAPACITY: 12
