WASHINGTON—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has introduced Safe Stay, an industry-wide, enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to prepare America’s hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees as the economy reopens. Safe Stay represents the top priority for the industry, the health and safety of guests and employees.
The standards of Safe Stay were developed under the guidance of an advisory council, comprising industry leaders representing all segments of the hotel industry, and in conjunction with public-health experts to advance best practices for protecting against the coronavirus. This initiative represents a new level of focus and transparency for an industry already built on cleanliness. Hotels have always met rigorous standards for cleaning and safety and these enhanced guidelines are rooted in recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“Safe Stay was developed specifically to ensure enhanced safety for hotels guests and employees. While hotels have always employed demanding cleaning standards, this new initiative will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience,” said Chip Rogers, president/CEO of AHLA. “The industry’s enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols will continue to evolve to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.”
The “Safe Stay” guidelines are intended to be iterative, and will be revised as needed based on the recommendations of public health authorities, in compliance with any federal, state and local laws. They include guidance on employee and guest health; employee responsibilities; cleaning products and protocols; and physical distancing.
The Safe Stay initiative is designed to change hotel industry norms, behaviors and standards to ensure both hotel guests and employees are confident in the cleanliness and safety of hotels once travel resumes.
The AHLA Safe Stay Advisory Council is working in conjunction with public-health experts, scientists and medical leaders to develop a series of best practices for the industry, including the following:
• Enhanced cleaning standards throughout the hotel property, including guestrooms, meeting spaces, common areas and back-of-house spaces
• Superior cleaning products with a greater concentration of bacteria-killing ingredients, in accordance with CDC guidelines
• Social distancing practices and reducing person-to-person contact
• Increased transparency throughout the guest journey
“While the hotel industry was one of the first affected by the pandemic, we have collectively stepped up to serve their communities during this public-health crisis,” Rogers said. “Thousands of hotels across the country, more than half of those small businesses, are working tirelessly during this uncertain time to support their employees, healthcare workers and first responders. When the time is right, hotels will be ready to safely and eagerly welcome back America’s traveling public.”