Hygiene and Disinfection Program

Overview

Kamisuwa Onsen Shinyu introduced a new sanitation and disinfection program on June 1, 2020. The program consists of more than 30 items for creating a safe environment for our guests and employees.
The program consists of three aspects: (1) Facility hygiene management, (2) Prevention of person-to-person infections, and (3) Hygiene management training.
In addition to the hygiene management activities already being conducted, we developed a new code of conduct stipulating avoidance of the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded spaces, and close-contact settings). The new code of conduct covers a wide range of issues devised to prevent and eliminate bacteria and viruses. We spend more time and effort on hygiene management and disinfection than ever before in order to create a safe environment for our customers and employees.

Hygiene management in bathing areas

To ensure that our onsen baths are safe to use, we manage hygiene in bathing areas in compliance with the methods and cleaning frequency stipulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Public Health Center.

Facilities

  • Circulating bathtubs (Water is completely changed at least once a week on a regular basis, and the bathtubs are disinfected and cleaned.)
  • Filtration equipment
  • Chlorine injectors

Frequency

  • Bathing area cleaning: Daily
  • Draining and cleaning: Once a week
  • Chlorine disinfection: Each time the tubs are drained and cleaned (constant disinfection by chlorine injector to maintain the proper chlorine concentration)
  • Residual chlorine concentration measurements: Daily (adjusted to between 0.4 mg /L and 1.0 mg /L or less for at least two hours per day)

Avoidance of the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded spaces,
and close-contact settings) and disinfection

A two-minute video explaining our hygiene and disinfection efforts

Contents

Program consisting of facility hygiene management,
prevention of person-to-person infections,
and hygiene management training

(1) Facility hygiene management

Facility hygiene management Facility hygiene management Facility hygiene management
Facility hygiene management Facility hygiene management Facility hygiene management

Measurements of CO2 concentration and quantification of the three Cs

CO2センサー

In order to visualize the status of the three Cs in the hotel, we installed a system called a CO2 sensor.
The CO2 sensor measures carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. It is used to measure the degree of crowdedness in public spaces, such as public baths, based on the principle that the CO2 density increases the more crowded a place is.
The CO2 concentration is displayed on the monitor screen in three levels (green, yellow, and red) accompanied by a warning sound. Please use this as a guide for avoiding the three Cs.
Please monitor the CO2 concentration displayed on the screen to avoid closed and crowded areas.

[Three-level display]
  • GreenLess than 999 ppm indicates good ventilation (not crowded)
  • YellowBetween 1,000 and 1,499 ppm indicates that ventilation is recommended (slightly crowded)
  • Red1500 ppm and over indicates that ventilation is necessary (crowded)

*The values recommending ventilation due to a high concentration of CO2 are based on the values announced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/10900000/000618969.pdf

Room sterilization and disinfection

In light of the fact that COVID-19 infections can spread via the air, we have installed room sterilizers and disinfectors in public spaces throughout the hotel. We are striving to provide a safe environment by utilizing the latest technologies, such as deep ultraviolet LEDs with high sterilization efficacy and photocatalysts that break down and eliminate viruses.

Room sterilization and disinfection Room sterilization and disinfection Room sterilization and disinfection
Room sterilization and disinfection Room sterilization and disinfection Room sterilization and disinfection

Antibacterial and antiviral photocatalytic coating

Antibacterial and antiviral photocatalytic coating

We have applied an antibacterial and antiviral photocatalytic coating to surfaces that people touch (door knobs in all guest rooms, all handrails and elevator buttons in the hotel, etc.). Surfaces with a photocatalytic coating are clearly indicated with stickers.

Efforts in guest rooms: 5-step disinfection and cleaning of guest rooms using alcohol and hypochlorite water

Cleaning
(1) Cleaning

Cleaning staff members wear masks and gloves while cleaning guest rooms.

Alcohol disinfection and UV disinfection
(2) Alcohol disinfection and UV disinfection

We disinfect surfaces that people touch (tables, sofas, remote controls, handsets, switches, handles, doorknobs, etc.) using alcohol. Remote-control devices, etc. are disinfected using ultraviolet light and packed in disinfection bags.

High-temperature washing and hypochlorite water disinfection
(3) High-temperature washing and hypochlorite water disinfection of glasses, etc. provided in guest rooms

Glasses, etc. provided in guest rooms are washed at high temperature and disinfected with hypochlorite water. After disinfection, they are packed in disinfection bags or placed with an indicator that they have been disinfected.

噴霧器による次亜塩素酸水消毒
(4) Hypochlorite water disinfection using sprayers

We spray hypochlorite water, which is effective in inactivating viruses and removing allergens, in all guest rooms.

Disinfected stickers
(5) Disinfected stickers

Once guest rooms have been disinfected, a disinfected sticker is placed on the door of the room as an indicator to ensure that all rooms get disinfected. Only the guests who are scheduled to occupy the disinfected room on that day are allowed to enter.

Efforts in public spaces: Cleaning, disinfection, and high-humidity ventilation cycle

Ozone sterilizers
  • (1) Regular cleaning of public spaces
    We have increased the frequency that public spaces are cleaned since June.
  • (2) Installation of humidifiers filled with hypochlorite water to operate late at night
    We have installed humidifiers filled with hypochlorite water, which is effective in inactivating viruses and removing allergens, in public spaces such as changing rooms, the front counter, the lobby, and food preparation areas for operation late at night.
  • (3) Ozone sterilization late at night
    We use ozone sterilizers to remove bacteria and viruses from public spaces late at night when no guests are present.
  • (4) Regular ventilation
    We regularly ventilate public spaces to reduce stagnation and the proliferation of viruses and bacteria.

Efforts in public baths

Alcohol disinfection pumps

In order to avoid crowding in the public baths, we have suspended day spa services for the time being. While suspended, only guests staying at the hotel are able to use the onsen baths. Alcohol disinfection pumps have been installed in the changing rooms. Late at night, we operate humidifiers filled with hypochlorite water and ozone sterilizers. All equipment (baskets, hair dryers, etc.) in the changing rooms is also frequently disinfected. The onsen baths are disinfected using chlorine.
We also control meal times to avoid the three Cs in the public baths. Please note that use of the bathing areas may be restricted without notice. We appreciate your understanding.

Efforts in food preparation areas

Efforts in food preparation areas

We have introduced Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) standards for food hygiene in food preparation areas, and pay special attention to hygiene management. We also carefully sanitize delivered food ingredients and other deliverables, and disinfect shoes and clothing when entering food preparation areas.

*HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. HACCP is a food hygiene management method requiring important matters relating to the condition and handling of food items to be recorded and controlled. It was announced by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene, a joint organization of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The hotel complies with HACCP in food hygiene management.

Efforts in private restaurants

Hypochlorite water disinfection using sprayers

Course meals at the hotel are served in private rooms. After use, we disinfect with hypochlorite water using sprayers and also disinfect tables and other small fixtures such as handles with alcohol.

Efforts in shuttle buses

Humidifiers and sprayers filled with hypochlorite water

We use humidifiers and sprayers filled with hypochlorite water to disinfect the interiors of our shuttle buses. Alcohol disinfection pumps are installed in the buses. Bus service takes social distancing into consideration by limiting the number of passengers and ensuring spaced seating.

(2) Prevention of person-to-person infections

Prevention of person-to-person infections Prevention of person-to-person infections Prevention of person-to-person infections
Prevention of person-to-person infections Prevention of person-to-person infections Prevention of person-to-person infections
  • Temperature and physical condition records for all employees
  • Requirement to gargle, wash hands, and disinfect with alcohol when arriving at work and during one’s duties
  • Monthly stool analyses and norovirus testing (November to March)
  • Administration of influenza shots
  • Mask wearing by all employees at all times
  • Gloves used when cleaning
  • Gloves used when preparing and serving food
  • Face shields worn when serving food to guests who request it
  • Course meals served in private rooms
  • Temperature checks and alcohol disinfection upon entry into the hotel
  • Identification and physical condition interview of all guests upon check-in *If a guest displays symptoms of a fever or a cold, entry will be restricted, and appropriate measures will be taken after seeking instructions from the Public Health Center, etc.
  • Requesting that all guests wear a mask when in public spaces
  • Refraining from talking in bathrooms and elevators
  • Requesting guests to disinfect using alcohol and wear a mask when riding the shuttle bus
  • Social distance monitoring
  • Limiting occupancy to 50% of capacity
  • Requesting all suppliers to wear masks and gloves
  • Loaning out pulse oximeters (oxygen analyzers) *1*1 The hotel will make no judgments on the measured values.

Antigen testing

Antigen testing

We have been conducting COVID-19 antigen testing for all employees monthly since August 2021. For the safety and security of our guests and employees, we plan to continue conducting monthly testing for as long as there are concerns about COVID-19 infections.

(3) Hygiene management training

Hygiene management training Hygiene management training
Hygiene management training Hygiene management training
  • Education and raising awareness of our Hygiene and Disinfection Program 2020This program was formulated based on the Guidelines for Responding to COVID-19 in Accommodation Facilities (1st Edition) by the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association and the Guidebook on Hygiene Management based on HACCP by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. We provide all employees with training on the purpose and necessity of formulating this program.
  • ATP testing (to measure the number of bacteria on fingers and visualize the state of hand-washing)
  • Hand-washing training
  • Hygiene management training by external instructors
  • Hygiene management manuals for food preparation areas and providers
  • Hygiene manuals for food preparation area operations divided into eight processes

    ▼Overview of the operations hygiene manual

    1. Before work
      • Hand washing and disinfection
      • Disinfection of work shoes
      • Disinfection of utensils, work tables, refrigerators, etc.
    2. Inspection and storage of food items
      • Inspection, recording in a ledger, and storage (storage to prevent cross-contamination)
      • Quality, freshness, packaging, temperature
    3. Pre-processing
      • Care not to conduct simultaneously with non-contaminating work
      • Hand washing and disinfection after pre-processing
    4. Storage and management of raw ingredients, etc.
      • Vegetables and fruits: Washing under running water, sterilization with sodium hypochlorite solution if necessary, and rinsing under running water after sterilization
      • Seafood and meat: If necessary, soaking in hypochlorite water then rinsing under running water
    5. Food preparation
      • Cleaning and disinfection of worktops and water tanks
      • Ensuing that the center of the food is heated to sterilization temperature when cooking
      • Hand washing and disinfection before working
      • Checking the temperature and humidity in the food preparation area, recording and keeping them in a ledger, and ensuring adequate ventilation
    6. Serving
      • Avoidance of direct contact with food
      • Maintaining food items at the proper temperature once cooked
    7. Facility and equipment sanitation
      • Using each area for a single purpose only
      • Recording and keeping temperature in the facility
    8. Management of workers
      • Individually recording and keeping the health condition of each worker using a hygiene management inspection sheet
      • Ensuring physical cleanliness at all times, and wearing cooking clothes, aprons, masks, hats, and footwear
      • Conducting stool analyses → Not allowing the worker to perform duties if the aforementioned results indicate a problem with food hygiene
  • Set evaluating points for staff’s comprehension of the hygiene management.

About the hospital & health center,
while in case of an emergency.

Suwa Central Hospital /
3 mins drive

TEL: 0266-52-6111 Address: 5-11-50 Kogandōri, Suwa City, Nagano 392-0027

The hotel is under the jurisdiction of the Suwa Public Health Center.
Suwa Health Center TEL: 0266-53-6000

News of hygiene management

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