ALEXANDRIA, Va. — TRSA has launched a campaign to control COVID-19’s spread by promoting responsible linen, uniform, and facility services practices. State and local officials are TRSA’s initial targets, and governors, mayors, and city managers have been urged by TRSA to guide hoteliers to clean all textiles daily and handle their linen under OSHA universal precautions, among other tactics to ensure guest safety and confidence.
These guidelines were sent to the National Association of Governors, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and International City/County Management Association. All are expected to play a role in writing safety guidance documents for the nation’s hotels. TRSA’s recommendations cover practices for textile use, including washing and handling linens and uniforms, housekeeping, and otherwise protecting guests and employees. These provisions extend the StaySafe cleaning standards of the American Hotel & Lodging Association released May 4.
In calling for hotels’ adoption of OSHA universal precautions, TRSA notes the importance of these guidelines’ directive that soiled textile handlers must presume all linens, uniforms, garments, and other textiles are contaminated. These precautions indicate the need for providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for housekeeping and laundry staff and others.
TRSA recommends that hotels should clean all textiles daily (including bed linens, towels, and other items used by guests or staff). The TRSA provision is consistent with TRSA research that shows guests believe hotels are motivated to adopt linen conservation programs (washing less often than daily) mostly to control costs.
Management practices in the TRSA guidance are intended to ensure guests and employees remain safe and comfortable by raising lodging facility cleanliness standards, said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. In addition to universal precautions and daily textile washing, Ricci called for at least the following practices to be included in any guidance for the hotel industry and every such facility’s safety plan:
- Staff should be given hygienically cleaned, commercially laundered uniforms and garments to wear throughout their shift, including front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house employees as well as any food service staff. Rather than staff taking workwear home and washing it, workwear should be left at the hotel to be picked up and commercially laundered. A clean uniform or garment should be given out at the start of each employee’s shift, replacing the clothes in which they commuted to the hotel.
- Hygienically cleaned tablecloths, placemats, and napkins should be used in hotel restaurants to reduce or eliminate disease transmission by touch. Replacing tablecloths between seating ensures a clean and safe table. Studies have shown tables with tablecloths are at least five times cleaner than tables left bare. These products can also identify the tables to be used for social separation. Placemats can accomplish a similar result by seating guests further apart at the same table or counter. Hygienically Clean Hospitality certification standards minimize contamination risk.
- If possible, do not shake soiled linen. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air.
- Carts and vehicles used to carry both soiled and clean linen must be properly sanitized after unloading and before reloading with cleaned goods. Clean linen must be properly covered during transport.
- Hand sanitizer dispensers should be placed throughout the hotel for guests and staff to use.
- Reusable face masks that meet CDC guidelines and disposable gloves should be worn by staff. Gloves should be replaced often throughout an employee’s shift.
- Commercial cleaning solutions should be used on all hard surfaces throughout the day, including entryway door handles, kitchen area, and bathrooms.
- All surfaces within the laundry, including the floors, should be cleaned daily, or more often if they become soiled. Daily cleaning of linen folding tables is also recommended. Using an approved disinfectant is also recommended.
“As America starts to get back to business and dining establishments begin to reopen, providing the public with clean and safe dining establishments will be a key part of an economic recovery. Teaching and requiring the hospitality industry to abide by these steps should be a cornerstone of this process,” Ricci said.
