Please find guidance for accommodation providers that has been put together with support from Southend BID, Southend Tourism Partnership and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
Holiday accommodation must still remain closed, and you must not open to provide accommodation for people who are on holiday or do not have a legally permitted reason to use it.
You can only open to provide accommodation to a person who:
· is unable to return to their main residence
· uses it as their main residence
· needs it while moving house
· needs it to attend a funeral, linked commemorative event or following a bereavement of a close family member or friend
· is isolating themselves from others as required by law
· is an elite athlete (or their coach or parent) and needs it for training or competition
· needs it for work purposes, or to provide voluntary or charitable service
· is homeless
· was already staying there when England entered lockdown
· needs it to attend education or training
· needs it to visit a person who is dying
· needs it to care for a vulnerable person or seek respite from doing so
· needs it to attend a medical appointment or treatment
· needs it as a parent for the purposes of access to a child where the child does not live in the same household as their parents or one of their parents
Hotel & Guest House Management – Due Diligence
Recommendations
As a minimum include a line on your Booking Form to ask the “Reason for the Reservation”, and please supply any further information to support your reason.
Also also obtain a Signature from the Guest on arrival at Reception as part of the Check-In Form.
If the Booking is received by a 3rd Party i.e. Booking, com, Expedia etc, You must ensure to call the guest to ensure that the Booking is for “Essential Travel Only.
Hospitality (food and drinks) in hotels and guest accommodation
· Hospitality facilities attached to your guest accommodation, such as restaurants, bars, pubs and takeaway services, must remain closed, with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through.
· All food and drink (including alcohol) can be provided by delivery.
· All food and drink (including alcohol) can be provided through room service, as long as it is ordered by phone or online.
· Communal spaces such as lounges or lobbies may remain open to guests, but no food or drink should be served in these spaces.
· You should check the guidance for restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services, and ensure you adhere to any relevant measures
What you should do:
· Ensure customers are aware of any restrictions and safety measures in place, for example when booking or checking in.
· Ask customers to order room service over the phone, or through online ordering systems where possible.
· Encourage contactless payments where possible.
Face Coverings
It is a legal requirement for both staff and customers to wear of face coverings unless they have a specific exemption in line with the current regulations.
It is also a legal requirement for businesses to prominently display a sign or effectively inform customers to wear a face covering on the premises. (Except when customers are seated and consuming food or drink at the table.)
Face coverings must adequately cover your nose and mouth. Please note that visors may be worn in addition to a face covering but not instead of one.
A face covering should:
· Cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably.
· Fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face.
· Be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton and ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used).
More information regarding the requirements for face coverings can be found here:
Risk Assessment
As a business operator you have a responsibility to ensure you have carried out an effective risk assessment in relation to COVID-19 and put in place appropriate measures to protect your staff, customers and service users, your risk assessment should be shared with all staff.
Should your business have more than five employees your assessment must be in written form. A copy should be kept on file for Inspection by an Authorised Person.
There are comprehensive government guidelines in place which outline measures required to be put in place for businesses. These can be downloaded here:
It is your responsibility to ensure your activities do not present an unacceptable risk to members of the public or your staff. Regulatory Services and Community Safety Officers will be patrolling to ensure compliance, they will always carry identification and will never ask for cash payments.
Further information can be found on:
Southend BID has provided a link to access some business templates for posters that will help your business with safety measures. These templates can found on:
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