The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and go2HR have created the Best Practices Guidelines to support accommodators in British Columbia. This follows protocols established by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), WorkSafe BC, and BCHA which employers are legally obligated to follow.

Drawing on the guidelines, here are 6 tips to increase safety during guest arrivals at your accommodation.

1. Advise guests on new protocols before they arrive.

Send a pre-arrival email that includes changes in service, arrival flow, updated cleaning procedures, and more. Ensure that your front desk staff are trained to share this information with guests when booking over the phone or online.

2. Post signs at all entrances to encourage hand hygiene, physical distancing, and coughing etiquette.

Show your commitment to public health by placing posters at entrances, the front desk, bathrooms, (and other locations) to remind guests & staff to frequently wash their hands and stand 6 feet away from one another. Click here to download hand hygiene templates from WorkSafe BC.

3. Offer hand sanitizer or disinfect wipes, not lobby snacks.

Guests may love complimentary apples and cookies in the lobby, but the BCHA strongly recommends removing grab-and-go snacks and drinks at this time. In lieu of offering snacks, provide complimentary hand sanitizer or Ziploc bags with personal protective equipment like face masks and gloves.

4. Ensure high touch surfaces are cleaned often with CDC-approved cleaning agents.

Disinfect high traffic touchpoints – such as doorknobs, doors, light switches, elevator buttons, counters, POS machines, etc.- in public areas multiple times throughout the day. Ensure new procedures are being followed by creating a document that staff can record the location, objects, staff member responsible, and cleaning agents used.

5. Ask staff & guests for genuine feedback

Your staff will have multiple touchpoints with guests throughout their staff. Ask your suppliers, guests, and staff for feedback regularly to not only make your property safer, but to create an exceptional guest experience.

7. Connect with Interior Health Authority or WorkSafe BC for support

Please connect directly with health & safety representatives for free support. These organizations want your business to succeed and have professionals to help you get there. Further resources include: