Our COVID Response Team monitors the average number of reported COVID-19 cases over a 14 day period, in the counties our guests are coming from, up to the day before they arrive. We use the New York Times coronavirus cases tracking data published on their website.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

We then use a CDC metric, based on the number of cases per 100,000 people, to determine whether the level of community transmission is high in those counties.

At this time, the Himalayan Institute considers 40 or more cases per 100,000 people to be a hotspot, too high for visits to our campus. We may use other data as well in determining a hotspot.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

Face Masks Are Required in All Public Spaces on Campus:

• You need a face mask to enter the campus. Please bring your own face mask. The Institute will normally have cloth face masks available for purchase.
• Use a face mask to adequately cover your nose and mouth in all public spaces on campus.
• Wear your mask when you enter and exit the dining areas. You may remove your mask, of course, while you are seated to eat or drink a beverage.
• You may remove your mask outdoors, provided you keep at least 6 feet away from anyone else. Remember to wear your mask on your way outdoors, and put it on again when you come back inside.
• You may remove your mask in your room and in the shower.
• Reserve N95 masks for health care workers only, unless you have a vulnerable health condition.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• All rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.
• We will not pair guests in shared rooms. Shared rooms are only for those guests who choose to room together.
• Rooms are ventilated for 24 hours before cleaning staff enters to prepare for the next guest.
• Rooms are cleaned and sanitized after each occupancy.
• All bed linens, blankets and towels are washed after occupancy.
• Pillows have a sanitary inner covering. Outer pillow case is washed after occupancy.
• Disinfectant cleaner and paper towels are available in each room for use on surfaces by guests in their rooms.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• Showers and restrooms are cleaned and sanitized daily.
• Ventilation has been increased where possible.
• We recommend guests use our ‘shared restroom strategy.’

To use the restroom, use the paper towel method to open doors, flush toilets, turn on water. Here’s how that works:

• • Push the bathroom door open with your shoulder.
  • Grab a paper towel from the dispenser.
  • Use the paper towel to open/close stalls and flush the toilet. Use the paper towel to turn on/off faucets. Throw it away.
  • Dry hands with a fresh paper towel and use that paper towel to open the bathroom door on your way out. Throw it away.

• Disinfectant spray and squeegee are available for guests to use in each shower stall before/after use.
• Clean bath mats are available for each guest in each shower room.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• Our dining area tables and chairs are arranged with physical distancing of 6 feet apart in mind. Please do not move chairs and tables from their locations.
• Please adhere to physical distancing while waiting in line at the food service area. If the line is long, please leave the area and return at a later time.
• Guests will move through the food service area one at a time, where they will be served meals by our staff, and then take a seat in one of our dining areas inside, or picnic areas outside.
• At the end of your meal remove your used dishes and cutlery to the ‘dish buddy’ station in your dining area.

Outdoor Picnic Areas:

• Maximum of 3 people at each picnic table, with no one sitting directly across from anyone else, unless you are members of the same household.
• Please maintain 6 feet distance if you are enjoying a meal seated in our lawn chairs unless you are members of the same household..

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• Classrooms will be set up with appropriate physical distancing in mind. Please do not move chairs from their original locations.
• For larger programs, guests will rotate between the room with the live presenter, and other classrooms with simultaneous live video transmission.
• Ventilation to circulate fresh air has been increased in all classrooms.

Yoga Classes:

• Masks are required for both students and teachers.
• Physical distancing of at least 6 feet is required.
• Do not exceed the maximum number of occupants in the classroom

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• Meditation spots are designated inside the Shrine. Please do not move chairs or sit anywhere else.
• Please observe physical distancing in the Shrine.
• Please bring your own meditation cushion. No shared meditation props will be available in the Shrine.
• When we gather for group practice, prayers and recitation, recite silently to yourself while wearing your mask.
• Sign-up for Shrine seating during larger programs may be available at our Guest Services desk.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

• If you have an emergency, call 911.
• Contact our Guest Services team at the front desk or call 570-253-5551 #1 and let them know. After hours call 570-216-8249 answering service.
• Isolate yourself.
• Contact your healthcare practitioner or local urgent care provider, and follow their guidance.
• Have a plan in place to get home as soon as possible if you are ill.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here:

The Himalayan Institute has in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 is contagious, and traveling outside your home and gathering with others has risks. We cannot guarantee that you will not become infected. The waiver agreement found here needs to be understood and signed by our guests before they come to our campus.

We highly recommend reading our extensive list of protocols used to keep you safe here: