How The Hogarth are keeping safe
16th May 2022 update
Introducing our new Mask: Just Ask system.
Against the backdrop of falling cases and two years of trend data suggesting this will continue through the summer, we are now comfortable with relaxing our rules regarding masks for staff. We are keen to still offer the option, for those that want it, that the team members a member or guest interacts with during a their visit wear a face covering.
6th May 2022 update
Against the backdrop of falling cases and two years of trend data suggesting this will continue through the summer, we are now comfortable with reopening the steam room and the number of users in our saunas. Alongside a public health emphasis on personal choice and individual risk management, we feel it is important to offer our members the option to use the steam room. Please do consider reading our article on reopening our sauna and steam room, and be aware that if the cases increase we may reverse this decision at any time.
Alongside this decision and for similar reasons, we will be trialling the removal of bookings for our Spa Pool from 21st May 2022 for 2 weeks. We will continue to observe national data and industry guidelines, and listen to any member feedback.
Please get in touch with our General Manager Giles with any questions or feedback: GilesS@thehogarth.co.uk
24th February update
From today Thursday 24 February, The Government will end the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test along with the legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate. Contact tracing will also cease as will the need for fully vaccinated close contacts and those under 18 to test daily for 7 days. Up until 1 April the Government are also advising people who test positive to stay at home. However, after that, they encourage people with C19 symptoms to exercise personal responsibility, in their words "just as we encourage people who may have flu to be considerate to others."
What does that mean for The Hogarth?
We have always aimed at operating super safe and gone above and beyond to protect our members and staff. Therefore, our COVID secure protocols will remain in place. To mitigate the risk of catching or transmitting COVID-19 we ask that you continue to follow the same protocols as per Plan B and as communicated 24 Jan 2022 including:
· To wear your face masks in indoor settings unless exempt.
· Try to keep a distance from others.
· Wash your hands frequently.
We will continue:
· To keep indoor spaces well ventilated.
· With extra cleaning protocols and schedules.
· To keep online bookings, pool lanes, distanced gym equipment, capped class numbers, 1 in 1 out of sauna and to keep steam room closed.
· Pre set-up classes with equipment such as Group Cycle and BodyPump.
We really do hope to return to normal soon and very much look forward to not wearing masks and opening up our steam room, but please be patient and stick with the above a little longer. Many thanks for your support.
24th January update
The Government has made the decision to ease COVID restrictions by transitioning out of 'Plan B'. It is The Hogarth's ongoing priority to remain a safe, reliable and comfortable space so that we can help keep our members fit and healthy. For this reason, we would like to reassure our members that that our robust cleaning schedules, space in classes, individual swim lanes, and all other safety protocols will remain in place, including encouraging the use of face coverings when moving around the Club. We will continue to review these measures frequently, and will communicate any changes to you.
Published 4th January 2022
New COVID restrictions have been brought in after the Government implemented 'Plan B' in response to the Omicron variant. Here's how The Hogarth Club are keeping safe.
What's 'Plan B'?
In September the government set out its plan for tackling coronavirus over the winter period, with a set of 'Plan B' measures to prevent the NHS "coming under unsustainable pressure". Speaking at a Downing Street news briefing on 8 December, Boris Johnson said it was now the "proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B". Those changes, which have now been expanded in light of the variant, are:
• From Friday 10 December, face coverings became compulsory in most public indoor venues, such as cinemas, theatres and places of worship.
• From Monday 13 December, those who can were advised to work from home.
• From Wednesday 15 December, the NHS Covid Pass became mandatory for entry into nightclubs and venues with large crowd gatherings. (unseated indoor events with 500 or more attendees, unseated outdoor events with 4,000 or more attendees and any event with 10,000 or more attendees.)
The Government also urges those to get their booster vaccines when called, as well as daily testing for people identified as a contact of a coronavirus case - with isolation required only for people who test positive that have been vaccinated.
Here's how we continue to operate super-safe
THE HOGARTH CLUB
• Indoor gym equipment remains 2 metres apart, or sectioned with glass partitions
• Masks mandatory for staff and visitors (when not exercising, eating or drinking.)
• Bookings for classes, spa pool and pool to ensure safe numbers
• 1 person per sauna
• 1 person per spa pool
• 4 lanes in the swimming pool
• New ventilation fan installed in our Squash court
• HELIOS (our medical grade robot) for overnight complete UV sanitisation
• Pre-set up BodyPump and Group Cycle classes
• Our in-house cleaning team sanitising studios and equipment in Studios 1 and 2 between each class
• Extra outdoor gym space (replacing the Group Cycle tent)
• Social distancing floor signage outside each studio for those waiting for their class
• Cleaning products and hand sanitiser stations around the Club available to encourage members to clean their kit after use for extra peace of mind
• Steam room remains closed
• Card-only payments
THE AIREDALE CAFÉ & BAR
• Socially distanced furniture
• Order from your table via the Dines app
• Masks mandatory for staff and visitors (when not eating or drinking at a table.)
• Card-only payments
• Outdoor heated and covered dining pods
THE HOGARTH MEDISPA
• No waiting area
• Masks mandatory for staff and visitors (except for facial treatments)
• Appointments spaced out to allow for cleaning in between each client
BUT - ARE GYMS SAFE?
The number of positive COVID-19 cases among European health club visits remain "extremely low."
Data from the second Safe Active report from Europe Active, covering 185 million visits across the continent, shows an overall rate of 0.87 cases per 100,000 visits, proving that health clubs and gyms are some of the safest places for people to spend time!
ARE SWIMMING POOLS SAFE?
Recent data shows that swimming pool water inactivates the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds and transmission of the virus through water is "virtually impossible" - according to the experts at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Chlorinated pools are considered safest, as they’re maintained and regularly disinfected, which can help to deactivate the virus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests “swimming in a well-maintained, properly chlorinated pool is safe”.
Find out full details of the study and how we're keeping our pool super-safe in the article below.
ARE SAUNAS SAFE?
Saunas operate at higher temperatures, typically 70-100°C and have porous wood furniture that could make it difficult for any virus to survive for long. Heat inactivates the virus by denaturing the structure of the proteins, affecting the attachment and replication of the virus in the host cell. There is strong evidence to show that elevated temperatures inactivate the virus. It is strongly advised to use a combination of restricted use, appropriate cleaning and vacant periods to further reduce the risk of transmission.
Having reviewed a wide body of scientific papers and advisory articles including those from International Public Policy Advisor for IHRSA (International Health & Racket & Sports Association) and Technical Advisory Group Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Saunas and Steam Rooms and Risk - we made the cautious decision to safely reopen our Saunas from 19th July under COVID-secure protocols.
ARE STEAM ROOMS SAFE?
On the basis of a lack of scientific evidence supporting steam rooms to be safe, we have decided to keep our steam room temporarily closed until further notice.
Steam rooms operate at a far lower temperature, most in the UK being up to 45oC, and are not warm enough to interfere with the lifecycle of the coronavirus, so they could be a potential source of contamination. Unlike saunas, it is likely that long periods of time without human occupancy would be insufficient to effectively deactivate the virus (i.e. several hours between cohorts of users). Sterilisation of surfaces between cohorts is unlikely to be adequate or effective given the large amount or surfaces within steam rooms.
The virus is likely to persist in the air as aerosols after an infected individual has left the steam room. These cannot be removed by sterilising surfaces. In an enclosed, unventilated space, this poses a direct risk to the next user.
Please may we remind you of 3 simple things we can all do to make sure everyone feels safe at the Hogarth:
✅ MASKS
Masks are encouraged at the Club when not exercising.
✅ CLEANING
Sanitisation stations are provided throughout the gym, please clean equipment after use
✅ PERSONAL SPACE
Our Studios, Gym, Changing Rooms, Pool and Bar have been reimagined to allow for social distancing Club-wide. Please be respectful of others’ space
Watch our video outlining our full safety operations below!