In many states, the number of COVID-19 cases has dropped enough that people can travel for a well-deserved vacation.
But tourists will always want to consider safety and cleanliness when choosing and visiting a hotel, a subject that Professor Sheryl Kline of the University of Delaware has studied for years. From that work, he compiled a list of six important tips for those who are staying at a hotel this Labor Day weekend amid a pandemic.
1. Check the destination before you travel.
Check the CDC website for travel advice before you travel. This includes COVID-19 hotspots. The CDC also offers toolkits based on your travel mode. Next, determine if there are any restrictions in your destination due to the pandemic. For example, are restaurants open for dinner? When you go to a beach, due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, are there any limits to the activities or experiences normally available? You can also contact the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (OVC) at your destination to find out what is open to tourists and what restrictions apply.
2. Choose your hotel carefully.
Visit the hotel website or contact the hotel and find out what they are doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Questions to ask are: Is the hotel following the CDC recommendations? Do you Follow American Hotel and Lodging Association Safe-Stay Practices? Large hotel chains are committed to these practices and have established training programs and hygiene protocols similar to those of a healthcare facility. If the person you're speaking to doesn't know these guidelines, be more specific. Ask them: Do employees have to wear masks? Do they practice social distancing and if so, how? Does your sign say six feet apart? Do you limit the number of guests in the lobby and public areas? Are there plexiglass partitions at the reception? Do you offer contactless services such as automated check-in and check-out? Is there a disinfectant in the lobby? You can also get information about cleaning practices and cleaning frequency. Your hotel should use detergents that not only clean surfaces, but also disinfect them.
3. Use less personal services whenever possible.
If possible, opt for touch-free or non-contact services to reduce contact with others. If possible, this includes automatic or online check-in and check-out. You may need to download an app to do this, but it's worth it to be on the safe side. Avoid daily cleaning to limit the number of people entering your room. You can also order room service or take away so you don't have to eat in public areas, especially indoor restaurants.
Avoid using the on-site gym, indoor pool, or exercise room. Avoiding tight spaces where you may have close contact with other people will reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
4. Keep things as clean as possible.
When you check in, request a room that was previously unoccupied for at least a day or, better still, for up to three days. Although your risk is lower if you contract the virus through a surface, you further reduce your risk. Request a room where you do not have to use the elevator and / or where you can limit the use of an elevator, as it is an enclosed space where you will travel with people who are close together.
You can also go a step further and sanitize the camera before use. Bring your own detergent and disinfectant and re-disinfect the affected areas. The very tactile areas include door handles, light switches, telephones, remote controls, tabletops, and bathroom fixtures. The EPA has a list of approved disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19. To be effective, you need to follow the instructions, being careful not to damage the surfaces you want to clean. Also, always wear shoes or slippers when walking around the room, as it is not always practical to clean the floor well.
5. Be a partner to stop the spread.
Going on vacation doesn't mean going on vacation, compared to the safety practices we've all followed this year: wear a mask in public (especially indoors) and wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water. Don't touch your face and practice social distancing. Do not gather in public indoor spaces and avoid large crowds. Bring extra masks when you travel so you have enough supplies during your trip. Don't use someone else's pens in the hotel; bring your own. Carry a handkerchief when you touch elevator buttons, or open and close doors and throw it away after use. If you are sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, do not travel. This is especially the case if you have symptoms of COVID-19. The CDC has a list of symptoms to look for in case you think you have the virus.
6. Always follow the refund policy.
If your plans change due to the virus, will you get a refund or have to reschedule? During these uncertain times, you should always check your hotel's cancellation policy. You want to know what happens if you get sick or do not travel to your destination due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
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