2 minute read
covid meaSureS
hOuSE OF FIShER
Above and beyond
Business travellers can be reassured by new safety and hygiene standards
ChEVAl ThREE quAyS
The need for enhanced and rigorous cleanliness and hygiene standards amid Covid-19 has prompted a rash
of branded protocols from trade bodies, hoteliers and serviced apartment operators designed to reassure guests and travel buyers.
Minimum standards generally include regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as lift buttons, the installation of screens on reception desks, labels on apartment doors to indicate that accommodation has been cleaned, additional signage to facilitate social distancing, mobile check-in/out, and the removal of superfluous soft-furnishings, directories and other paraphernalia from rooms, with information now available digitally. Guests are also asked to wear face coverings in all properties.
Adagio’s Guest Welcome Protocol includes disinfection of the front desk area after each guest, and hand sanitiser throughout properties. The group’s ALLSAFE label verified by Clifton, a health, hygiene and safety auditor, has been created in partnership with Bureau Veritas, whose expertise is testing, inspection and certification, and which has a Covid-19 resource centre.
Alongside the ASAP's ISAAP accreditation, Cheval Collection is certified as Good to Go by VisitBritain. Hygiene measures include temperature check machines for all arrivals, keyless entry and, if unavailable, UV technology to sanitise keys. All Cheval employees wear PPE and guests may
choose to have their apartment cleaned or do it themselves. A Cheval App allows mobile check-in/out and communication with the front office/concièrge team.
Ascott is also a recognised ISAAP provider, while Bureau Veritas provides independent audits and certification for the Ascott Cares hygiene and safety programme worldwide, which covers nine areas of commitment aligned to the WHO standards and to local regulations, including employee and guest safety, shared facilities and vendors.
Low touch
City Apartments offers zero contact checkin, no-contact cleaning and provides masks and gloves for guests. “Before the first lockdown, we had moved the majority of our staff into the buildings we own and operate, and implemented hand sanitisers, sanitising wipes, face masks and latex gloves at the entry points to all our buildings,” says Director David Smith. City
