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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.