Clients staying at Spanish hotels from now on will find less decoration, pre-plated buffet menus, abundant signage reminding them to maintain a safe distance, and employees wearing masks and gloves who will take extra hygiene measures.
This is stated in the reopening draft for hotels and tourist apartments prepared by the Spanish Institute for Tourism Quality (ICTE) in collaboration with the hotel association Cehat and the Secretary of State for Tourism, which has promoted the creation of a single health protocol. Territorial sector organizations, chains and hotel companies have also participated in its development.
The draft has already been presented to the Government, and is only awaiting the approval of the Ministry of Health, which is expected to arrive this week. Next Monday, May 11, coinciding with the entry into phase 1 of de-escalation, hotels will be able to reopen their doors, although with certain conditions.
Does not specify capacity percentages
This protocol will allow hotel establishments to plan their reopening after designing and implementing a contingency plan for the prevention of risks against the coronavirus. In addition, it will serve to help hotels and tourist apartments identify and analyze the risks in their organizations, as well as implement best practices in service, in their facilities and with their staff to deal with the virus.
The document places special emphasis on guaranteeing safety distances, without specifying capacity percentages, and on taking extreme hygiene measures in all spaces, especially in those of common use, as well as in the work tools that have to pass from one hand to another (dataphones, computers, keys).
The document also emphasizes the increase in cleaning frequencies in areas with greater contact (surfaces, doorknobs, sinks, faucets, handles, elevators, reception desk, doors, room keys/cards, telephones, remote controls, toilet flush buttons, protection barriers, climate control, hair dryer, time control devices, gym machines, railings, room service menu, minibar, hangers, etc.)
Payment by card will be encouraged
In addition to ventilating and airing common areas, the necessary measures will be established to ensure distancing between clients and employees in the reception area, which must have hydroalcoholic gel and avoid sharing pens.
Payment by card and other electronic means will be encouraged in all accommodation services.
In addition, it is recommended to place disinfectant mats at the entrance of the establishments and have a non-contact thermometer to carry out timely checks of symptoms among both employees and clients.
If the staff provides the service of transporting the client's luggage, it must be done in safe conditions, with disposable gloves and/or disinfectant wipes to clean handles, etc.
Individual plating and no common oil cruets
In the catering area, individual plating will be promoted, eliminating all elements of common use such as vinegar cruets, salt shakers, oil cruets, beverage machines, sugar packets and any decorative element. In addition, the establishment should consider a suggested itinerary to avoid contact between clients.
In the rooms, attempts will be made to reduce textiles (including carpets), as well as decorative objects and amenities, and the wastebasket must have a lid. Hangers and hair dryers must be disinfected upon the departure of each client and the ironing service must be limited. Room service will not enter to clean if the client is inside.
Special attention in common areas
The draft urges to pay special attention to the cleaning and disinfection of common areas. Thus, the establishment must determine capacity, offer hydroalcoholic solution in transit areas or toilets. Towels will be avoided in common toilets and wastebaskets will have a non-manual opening with a double inner bag.
In the case of having a gym, the capacity must be defined to guarantee the safety distance, enable a space to deposit used towels, define positions in group classes avoiding contact exercises, as well as ensure the cleaning and disinfection of the rooms after each session and common elements such as weights or dumbbells will be removed if it is not possible to disinfect them between uses.
Thus, it is recommended to dispense with the valet parking service and the elevator should be used only by one person at a time or by those traveling together or sharing a room.
In swimming pools, the guidelines and recommendations to be applied will be determined according to the results of the scientific report requested by the ICTE from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIS) on the behavior of the coronavirus in swimming pool water, both outdoor and indoor.
And with respect to animation activities, capacity must be controlled respecting the safety distance or using a mask, according to the regulations dictated by the competent authority at all times in relation to the number of people who can participate.
Protection of employees
With respect to employees, the hotel must plan the tasks and work processes in such a way that it guarantees the established safety distance, distributing the spaces to minimize the risk of contagion by contact between them.
They will be provided with time and means for proper hand hygiene, providing them with the appropriate PPE after a risk assessment.
Likewise, it is recommended that the establishment take care of washing the staff's work clothes together with its own linen, ensuring that it is cleaned at a temperature higher than 60ºC.
The draft recommends frequently disinfecting, throughout the working day, personal items such as glasses and mobile phones. It also urges to wear hair up, not wear rings, bracelets, earrings or similar.
The floors and cleaning area must use appropriate personal protective equipment depending on the level of risk considered in each situation. At a minimum, staff must use an FFP2 mask and gloves and it is also recommended to wear full-frame protective glasses, as well as a disposable apron.
