It’s been nearly 6 months of lockdown, shutdowns and quarantine due to COVID-19, and people are starting to hit the road again to combat stress and find normalcy. If you’re going to travel during the pandemic, you should do it right, and you should know the safety requirements when checking into a hotel.
While airlines may have very similar passenger rules (mandatory face mask, don’t travel if you’re sick, etc), hotels are different, and various chains have very different rules.
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) stepped in with a “Safe Stay Guest Checklist” for both hotels and travelers to ensure safe guest experiences nationwide. The industry-wide set of health and safety protocols are designed to provide a safe and clean environment for hotel guests and employees.
Here are the 5 safety requirements when checking into a hotel.
- Require face coverings in all indoor public spaces and practice social distancing in all common areas.
- Choose contactless options, where available, including online reservations, check-ins, and payments.
- Consider daily room cleaning, only if necessary. Ask the hotel about your options.
- Request contactless room service delivery.
- Refrain from traveling if you have, or recently had, any symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.
According to a recent release, presidents and CEOs of national hotel chains offered some insight on their hotel safety requirements during Covid-19.
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta said guests must wear face coverings indoors and in public areas, and all Hilton employees are required face coverings.
Nassetta opted to forego his salary during Covid-19 for the rest of the year to help Hilton.
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian all guests are required to wear face coverings.
Hyatt hotels announced pay cuts to all its employees from April 1 through May 31. The hotel chain had to furlough 2/3 of its 55,000 corporate employees and closed various locations temporarily, since April 2020.
Intercontinental Hotel Group CEO Elie Maalouf said face coverings are required in all indoor public safes.
Loews Hotels & Co CEO Jonathan Tisch did not clarify if face coverings are required. Upon further research, Loews has required team members and guests to wear masks in public spaces.
Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson said masks are a simple step to take when in public spaces of hotels and will require guests and staff to wear masks.
Marriott had to furlough 2/3 of its 4,000 corporate employees, and tens of thousands of workers at properties, in April 2020.
Nearly 7 million hotel jobs total could be negatively impacted and/or eliminated, and the hotel industry can lose up to $925 billion this year, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Also, 8,000 hotels could close this September if Congress doesn’t help hotel chains.
Reopening economies is important for states, and hotels are eager to reopen for guests and resume operations.
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Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.