CHLA Lodging News May/June 2020

14 CALIFORNIA LODGING NEWS  www.calodging.com California’s hotel industry needs to be planning today to comply with new regulations that will likely be issued as they relate to infectious disease prevention. Sanitation, Hygiene & Hotel Operations Nationwide, some local, county & state governments have begun to issue specific guidance to hotels for preventing the spread of COVID-19. As we move closer to reopening the economy, the hotel industry should expect to see a number of new, specific disease prevention advice and required protocols including the following: HOUSEKEEPING Plan to implement updated training requirements for hotel housekeepers on how to safely and correctly use disinfectants approved by public health authorities. Additional guidelines are expected for the laundering of hotel linens. HOTEL STAFF Prepare for public health authorities to mandate specific PPE, hygiene, sanitation, disease prevention procedures, common signs and symptoms on COVID-19 infection, out-of-state travelers and other requirements. At the very least, management should begin to plan on developing a written COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan similar to what’s required under the state’s Blood Borne Pathogens Standard. SIGNAGE It’s likely that officials may require specific signage in facilities that speak to hand washing, social distancing, and more. FOOD/BEVERAGE SERVICE, PUBLIC SPACES & BUSINESS DENSITY Businesses could see new regulations dictating human density in businesses. For example, in some areas, restaurants have been allowed to continue operating only if they reduce occupancy by 50%. At the very least, hotels can expect to be given updated protocols for the cleaning of public areas such as front desks, restrooms, elevators, lobbies and meeting rooms. RECORDKEEPING It’s probable that public health authorities may require new specific recordkeeping requirements including employee attendance, maintenance of guest records, employee work assignments, documentation of key control procedures, including electronic lock records and security camera footage. This is important if someone in the hotel has been confirmed COVID-19 positive. The bottom line is to be familiar with the public health agencies in your community by frequently checking their websites, engaging with officials and utilizing their guidance. It’s helpful to establish professional relationships with local public health officials. It’s far easier and more beneficial for your organization if you have the name and number of someone you can personally call for assistance—rather than wasting valuable time up the chain of command seeking help. Maintenance, Engineering and Building Systems Properties that have closed, or have been operating with low occupancy, may have shut down electricity, water, plumbing and HVAC service [as well as other systems] to parts of the facility. Engineers and maintenance personnel are the hotel experts on these systems. However, these systems may have never been shut down for a period of time.   continued