Scrubbing, washing, cleaning, sanitizing, then more scrubbing, washing, cleaning, sanitizing.
It prompts the thought, didn’t hotels and Bed n’ Breakfast hosts do that before? Otherwise it would be pretty gross, right?
Well sure, they changed the sheets, washed any dishes and that kind of stuff, but they most likely didn’t sanitize every surface in-between guest stays. From bed posts to door knobs / keys to TV remotes (one of the dirtiest surfaces known to humans), now they have to go through their entire place with sanitizer. At lease every place where guests will potentially be exposed to.
Chain hotels are most likely to have a standard in place, but independent lodging is also required to follow safe practices. From our experience, independent locations have stepped up to the plate and initiated their own plans on how to keep their guests feeling comfortable and safe during their stay.
Photo courtesy of Marriott.
Lodging Pre-qualifies the Guests
As part of the on-boarding process, it’s not unusual if guests are asked a series of questions about themselves. The questions are typically geared towards customizing the guest’s experience.
That hasn’t changed, but some added questions highlight today’s COVID-19 situation. Don’t be surprised if you get asked any or all of the following questions:
- Have you had the coronavirus?
- Have you been in close contact with anyone who has had the coronavirus? If so, did you have a 14 day period of self-quarantine?
- Have you had secondary contact? (someone you live with was in close contact with someone who had the virus) If so, did you have a 14 day period of self-quarantine?
- Have you exhibited or do you currently exhibit any symptoms, such as a cough, fever, loss of sense of smell and/or taste, shortness of breath, cough, or sore throat?
Also don’t be offended if you’re asked those questions again just before your stay. Hosts need, in some cases are required to confirm everything is OK with everyone they are hosting.
This may go without saying, but if you’ve answered yes to any of those questions, consider changing your plans, but whatever you do, be honest. None of us want to be the person that infected someone else.
Guests should pre-qualify their Lodging
Just as important, you’ll need to do due diligence and check out the area you’re headed to. You need to stay safe.
Each country and state has implemented restrictions required to observe. AirBnB© actually has US state restrictions outlined on their website.
As those providing lodging asked you questions, you’ll need to ask a series of questions yourself. In addition to asking the lodging people the same questions they asked you in reverse, you may consider asking:
- How often do you sanitize your lodging?
- Should I expect to be in contact with anyone other than yourselves?
- Are there others staying at your location at the same time I am booked? If not, will you inform me if someone else books for any of the nights I have booked? If yes, where are the other guests coming from?
- What are your protocols for meals you are providing, and how are we protected from contact?
Do not worry about offending anyone. If they don’t already have the answers needed, or they’ve probably been asked those questions a bunch of times before you even called.
“Jockeying” the Guests
In an area such as the inside of a house, it’s important create the ability to maintain separation. If your destination only has one room available, you’re good to go.
For places that offer accommodations to several guests simultaneously, it can get even more complicated. That’s not so bad when it’s an entire family. But different people from different locations? That’s where things get interesting. Some of those offering lodging to more than one room have changed their protocols. They may not offer all the rooms, but maybe only to one guest booking per night. That way they are leaving the other rooms unavailable (unbooked) to avoid conflict with one another.
Other hosts assign rooms to promote maximum distancing from one another.
For things like breakfast, preparation and setting it out food, the host may stagger different parties so that they eat at different times. Another way hosts may reduce your risk is that food may be served instead of left for those to help themselves.
The Wrap Up
If nothing else, those of us who take trips need to pay attention to more details than normal. It’s not adequate to assume your destination is doing all it can to keep you safe.
Photo Credit
Cover photo on Journey Moore Often Home Page originated from Pegasus article – How hotels will need to adapt Duty of Care policies for the coronavirus pandemic.