WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) recently introduced guidelines for Safe Stay, an industry-wide enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to prepare U.S. hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees as the economy reopens. AHLA announced the launch of Safe Stay last week.
The standards of Safe Stay were developed under the guidance of an advisory council comprised of 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. The 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 and 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.
Development of the Safe Stay initiative included guidance from Ecolab, a provider of cleaning and disinfecting solutions and services that collaborates with the U.S. EPA, FDA, CDC, WHO, and other organizations to help establish and promote best practice guidance, training, and solutions.
“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. 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,” concluded Rogers.
