COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton takes the COVID-19 pandemic seriously. Although Alberta’s infection rate is low, COVID-19 still poses a threat to public health in our province.

According to Alberta Health, OFRE may proceed with fruit picks and fruit sharing this year, as long as the safety protocols outlined below are followed. These policies are subject to change as conditions change and we will respond to any new guidelines put forth by Alberta Health Services.

OFRE set these safety protocols in place to protect our volunteers, the fruit growers/homeowners, the food charities we donate to and the public at large. Please read our guidelines and policies carefully. Together, we can prevent and reduce the spread of this dangerous virus.

All participants must sign an agreement to abide by our COVID-19 safety guidelines in order to participate in the 2020 season.  This agreement will be part of the fruit pick registration form and the rescue request form and must be agreed to for each pick.

We strive to be resilient in a COVID-19 world. We invite you to join us in our efforts.

Download OFRE COVID-19 SAFTEY GUIDELINES 2020 PDF

 

GUIDELINES FOR FRUIT PICKING & SHARING

 

1. SELF-ISOLATE IF EXPOSED OR UNWELL

Pick Volunteer:

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, you need to self-isolate according to Alberta Health standards and cannot participate in any picks for 14 days.

Growers:

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, you need to self-isolate according to Alberta Health standards.  If a pick has been scheduled at your home, then the pick must be cancelled.

The fruit pick volunteer and the homeowner MUST agree (by declaring so on the fruit rescue sign up forms) that they have followed AHS guidelines for travel quarantine and are not exhibiting any symptoms of  COVID-19 at the time of the scheduling, confirmation and date of the fruit rescue.

***NOTE: If the above circumstances change, the volunteer/homeowner must be alerted, and the pick MUST be cancelled. These issues should be addressed by email or phone before the pick and NOT in person.

 

2. FRUIT PICKS WILL BE LIMITED TO 1 HOUSEHOLD UNIT PER FRUIT PICK

This year’s general fruit picks will be restricted to an individual member or one family unit.  Due to this change, extra safety precautions should be taken to ensure safety when picking in isolation:

• Never pick fruit if you feel it is unsafe to do so.
• Pick only what you can reach safely from a ladder or the ground.
• Always ensure 3 points of contact when climbing ladders, trees etc…
• Ensure that you follow Alberta Occupational Health and Safety procedures.

OFRE is currently reviewing the feasibility of staggering pick times if the size of tree or trees require more than 1 person/family to pick the fruit.  Stay tuned.

 

3. PHYSICAL DISTANCING MUST BE IN EFFECT AT ALL TIMES

This year there will be no direct contact between the homeowner and the pick volunteers. A  friendly greeting may be done via telephone or email. The homeowner phone number and email are provided when the pick confirmation is received.

Phone or email contact allows the homeowner and the pick volunteer to discuss equipment, and sanitation at a safe distance.

**PLEASE NOTE: Face masks are not required when you are picking with members of your own household.

 

4. HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITY

The homeowner is responsible for:

• Their own safety.
• Alerting OFRE and the volunteers if they, or anyone in their household has become unwell, and cancel the pick.
• Washing the fruit they keep as their share.
• Staying in their home during the pick, and not interacting with the volunteers. If absolutely necessary, any instructions for volunteers must be given from at least 6 feet away.

 

5. PICK VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITY

The volunteer is responsible for:

• Their own safety.
• Washing/sanitizing their hands before and after the pick (and during, if necessary).
• Sanitizing their own equipment, and surfaces they come in contact with (fences, gates, tools, equipment) before and after the pick.
• Delivering fruit to the charity and sanitizing the boxes they are delivered in. **Please Note: Volunteers are not responsible for washing fruit before donation to charities. Charities that accept fruit donations will be responsible for fruit washing before food preparation and/or eating. 
• Washing the fruit they take home.
• Wearing a face mask or face covering to prevent droplet spread IF coming into contact with individuals from outside your household.
• Proper disposal of sanitization materials in a trash bag. No trash is to be left on site.

 

6. CONSEQUENCES FOR RULES VIOLATION

Any member found to be not following the rules will have their membership immediately revoked. Any fruit grower/homeowner found to be not following the rules will no longer be eligible to have their fruit picked.

 

GROUP PICK AND GLEAN GUIDELINES

 

1. GROUP PICKS

Group picks or gleans organized by OFRE will still occur. Numbers will be limited for these picks and pick volunteers will need to maintain physical distancing. The numbers will follow Alberta Health Services guidelines for gatherings and may change throughout the picking season.

 

2. FRUIT PICK VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITY

Unless picking with members of the same household, everyone on a fruit pick must maintain a physical distance of at least 2 meters/6 feet at all times.

 

**NOTE: FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR GROUP PICKS.

Whenever you are in contact with individuals who do not live in your household, face masks are REQUIRED.

The fruit pick volunteer is responsible for:

• Their own safety.
• Sanitizing their own equipment, and surfaces they come in contact with (fences, gates, tools, equipment).
• Washing/sanitize their hands before and after the pick (and during, if necessary).
• Washing the fruit they take home.
• Wearing a face mask or face covering to prevent droplet spread. FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR GROUPS PICKS.
• Proper disposal of masks or sanitization materials in a trash bag. No trash is to be left on site.

NOTE: Masks and gloves are not a replacement for physical distancing, which must be followed at all times.

 

3. BRING YOUR OWN BAGS/CONTAINERS

All fruit pick volunteers must bring their own containers for carrying their share of fruit. There is to be no sharing of containers between volunteers.

 

4. BRING YOUR OWN SUNSCREEN/WATER/SNACKS

There is to be no sharing of equipment between volunteers. Pickers are encouraged to use the bathroom before you attend a pick and come prepared with any items you might need.

 

5. CONSEQUENCES FOR RULES VIOLATION

Any member found to be not adhering to the guidelines will not be permitted to participate in the group pick. OFRE reserves the right to ask any volunteer to leave if they do not follow the guidelines.

 

Orchard Safety

Our orchard is open to the public. Please be respectful of others when you visit the orchard by physical distancing and wearing a face mask.

Orchard maintenance is performed by OFRE members. Please contact us if you are interested in helping to keep the orchard healthy.

 

HELPFUL LINKS

• Alberta Government COVID-19 Self-Assessment
• COVID-19 Testing/ Online Booking
• Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy
• COVID-19: Masks
• Help Prevent the Spread
• Restrictions on Gatherings
• Alberta Chief Medical Officer Updates
• COVID-19 Cases in Edmonton by Neighborhood
• Masks4Canada