News

Corona-19 UPDATE

19-03-2020

We continue to be open and offer fun, entertaining, and mind-challenging escape rooms.
However, in light of the escalating COVID-19 situation Escape Masters are working closely with the Ministry of Health's guidelines to best protect our customers and staff and to offer a safe environment for all of us to share. 

Some of the measures we have put in place:

Minimise close contact:

• All bookings are private. This means that whoever you book for will be the only people inside the escape room.


• Booking times for both escape, outdoor and VR games have been staggered to minimise close contact with other customers. Teams are starting and finishing at different times.


• If different teams are using the lobby at the same time, we provide different waiting area zones for them that are at least 3 meters apart.


• All VR games are played in individual booths to minimise contact with other VR players.


• We are using contactless greeting for customers and between employees.

Minimise chances of exposure:

• We are asking customers if they have been overseas in the past 14 days. Customers that have been overseas in the past 14 days will not be allowed to play as per the government’s self-isolation requirements announced 16th March 2020.


• We are also refusing entry to players that are unwell and displaying symptoms of the virus.


• All players are to register before playing so that we can comply with any Government directives regarding the need to communicate with customers.

Cleaning:

• We continue to clean the escape rooms between bookings, but we have decided to take extra precautions as a result of the virus with additional cleaning before and after each game.


• The amount of time between bookings has also been increased so there is time to thoroughly clean the escape room. 


• Some of our stringent cleaning measures for the escape rooms include wiping down surfaces and puzzles with disinfectant, as well as using disinfectant sprays on keys, locks, door handles and switches.


• Tablets that players use for registration and during the game are also disinfected between each game.


• All VR equipment is disinfected after each game.


• The cleaning protocols also apply to our lobby where we wipe down all tables and chairs with disinfectant before arrival and after the departure of all customers. 


• Our high-contact warm-up puzzles and games have been removed from the lobby.


• EFTPOS terminals are cleaned regularly. 

Personal hygiene and handwashing:

• We recommend washing your hands with soap and water before and after in our bathrooms.


• We also have hand sanitizer (subject to supply) that customers can use before and after their game.


• Posters have been put up encouraging correct disposal of tissues in the rubbish bin and sneezing/coughing into a bent arm.

Flexible bookings:

• We understand that due to the circumstances you may have to modify, postpone or cancel your booking with us.


• Our staff is here to help you. Bookings can be modified, postponed or cancelled at any time. No cancellation fee will be applied and full refunds will be given in Auckland CBD, Rotorua, Wellington and New Plymouth.

Employees are well informed and prepared:

• All staff are well informed of the situation and are following the guidelines and recommendations of the Ministry of Health.


• Employees are not to come into Escape Masters under any circumstances if they are unwell, or exposed to the virus and required to self-isolate.


• Employees are required to self-isolate for 14 days if they have been abroad - as per the government requirements. They will not be allowed to come into Escape Masters during this time.


• Our staff are following strict handwashing and sanitising methods when resetting and cleaning rooms.


• The staff that are able to work remotely have begun home office.

Looking after your mental wellbeing:

• It is important to stay on top of your mental well-being during these distressing times. 


• The current position from the Ministry of Health is that the chance of widespread community outbreak in New Zealand is low. But it has been predicted that the restrictions are here to stay for a while to keep us safe.


• Escape Masters can be a refreshing activity to compete with the close contacts that you meet on a daily basis - friends, family or coworkers.

The wellbeing of our customers and staff is of our highest priority at such times so we appreciate your patience, cooperation, and understanding.