Preventive Measures to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 in Hotels and Restaurants

What Is the Need for Holidays?

The whole world has been under a sudden and unexpected threat for a very long time. The lockdown culture had created a greater degree of stress and claustrophobia. Even people who did not enjoy traveling wished to escape from reality by visiting calm and nature-filled places. There was a need for compensation for the missed summer and winter vacations. Also, a single-day trip was insufficient to fulfill the strong urge for traveling. When this is the situation, there is a greater level of demand for many tourist places and the hotels and restaurants located in those spots. The level of curiosity to visit such places is directly proportional to the risk factors associated with it. When the desire for visiting new places has increased, it is very difficult to restrict people from entering hotels and restaurants. The only possible criteria for enjoying holidays in a safe way is by following the rules and regulations that are very specific for hotels and restaurants.

What Are the Preventive Measures to Contain the Spread of COVID-19 in Hotels and Restaurants?

Hotels and restaurants need to take appropriate measures to restrict the transmission of COVID-19. They should focus on providing neat and clean accommodation. The safety and preventive measures that are to be followed during the spread of COVID-19 are:

• All the staff and guests in hotels and restaurants should follow basic health measures like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

• The guests are asked to wear the mask all the time so that they do not transfer the infection to others. It is necessary to cover the nose and mouth properly without touching the front portion of the mask with your hands.

• Hand washing should be frequently practiced with the help of alcohol-based sanitizers or washing soaps. You have to wash your hands for the duration of 40 to 60 seconds.

• You should use disposable napkins or tissues to cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing.

• The habit of spitting in public places is totally prohibited.

• You have to report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 immediately to the nearby public health department.

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• All the staff and guests in hotels and restaurants should ensured that they are vaccinated with both doses and a booster dose if eligible.

The following arrangements are to be made by the authorities of the hotels or restaurants:

• All the guests should be checked for their temperature. Only guests who do not have symptoms should be allowed inside the hotel.

• All the entrances should be provided with hand sanitizers along with a hands-free dispenser as a mandatory measure.

• Additional employees should be recruited to ensure the sanitation rules of the hotel management.

• Pregnant employees, older employees, and others with medical health conditions should be provided an opportunity to take additional precautions. They should be given preferable jobs that might avoid direct contact with the public.

• Some restaurants provide valet parking as their usual service. But, if this service is planned to continue, then a proper disinfection protocol should be followed by cleaning the door handles, keys, and steering of the vehicles.

• The hotel should manage the crowd of guests in a proper way by outsourcing agencies to follow the norms of social distancing.

• There should be a separate pathway for the entry and exit of the staff and the guests.

• Workers should be instructed to follow social distancing of a minimum of six feet. When the guests are standing in the queue, they have to maintain the same distance. This can be regulated by making specific markings with adequate distance.

• The number of people entering the elevator should be restricted. If many people are allowed in an elevator, there will be a loss of social distancing criteria.

• The elevators should be used in such a way that the individual takes only alternate steps.

• The hotel management should carry a detailed history of medical conditions, vaccination details (if the guest is vaccinated and the type of vaccination and if they have taken the booster if eligible) and travel information of the guest.

• Audiovisuals can be displayed in restaurants to provide additional awareness among the public.

• If the guests are required to fill out any forms in the reception, then they might need to sanitize their hands again before using the common pen and paper. The best way to deliver a contactless service is by providing online forms, QR code options, and digital payment methods.

• Before the guests check-in, they are requested to disinfect their baggage.

• The containment zone should be restricted to all guests.

• Personal protection products like gloves, face masks, and others should be available in abundance at the hotel or restaurant.

• The seating arrangement should be managed in such a way that the guest maintains a social distancing format.

• It is better to provide a disposable menu card to the guests. If possible, digital menu cards can be displayed where the guest will not have to touch the menu card to choose their menu.

• In the context of COVID-19 buffet services are not recommended, but if buffet services are arranged for the food, the guests should follow physical distance even while eating. From the restaurant side, the parts of the vessel that are regularly in contact with the hands of the users should be cleaned and disinfected after each service and preferably more often.

• The food can be delivered in a neatly packed manner at the guest's doorstep. This will prevent contact between the guests.

• Communication between staff members and the guests can be made with the help of mobile phones rather than direct contact.

• Swimming pools, gaming centers, and play areas for children can function only according to the norms of the government.

• The air conditioner should be maintained between 24 to 30 degrees celsius only. The management should make sure that there is proper cross ventilation.

• The hotel management should regularly clean the elevator switches, doorknobs, common benches, and washrooms with the help of disinfectant solutions like one percent sodium hypochlorite.

• In case a guest is suspected of a positive case of COVID-19, the sick person should be given a separate room for isolation from others. Immediate medical facilities should be given to the patient by professional health care.

• Complete disinfection of the hotel is required to reduce the risk of spreading.

What Are the Challenges in Following the Rules of COVID-19 in Hotels and Restaurants?

The first and foremost challenge is the over-excitement faced by many people during their holidays. Their trip makes them totally unaware of the scenario due to their excitement. An enthusiastic attitude makes it difficult for an individual to follow all the rules and regulations in an appropriate and disciplined way. This can be prominently noted in children as they are very difficult to be controlled. The second challenge is the one that is faced by intellectual people. The depreciating level of fear regarding the Coronavirus has created a carefree attitude, and so people tend to break the rules by not wearing a mask or gathering in crowded places. The third challenge could be an excessive adaptation of hygienic measures in a new hotel or restaurant. Each and every hotel follows a specific measure that would be suitable for them. These measures might be difficult to be followed by all the individuals.

Who Suffers More in Holidays?

People who are in a high-risk zone suffer more during holidays. This might include older people, young children, and pregnant women. Older people suffer a lot because they might not have the physical capacity to adapt to the changes in new places easily. They are in a mandatory situation to carry medicines for their various health problems. Also, older people have to carry general medications in case of emergency situations. The need for emergency medication is applicable for children and pregnant women also. The impact of COVID-19 on children and pregnant mothers is not fully understood, and so they tend to suffer more in hotels and restaurants.

Conclusion

Following the protocols like wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands regularly, getting vaccinated on your turn can protect you against this virus. By following all the guidelines, you need not have sacrificed your enjoyment.