The coronavirus outbreak has brought hotel cleanliness to a
new, heightened level of attention, and hotel companies are responding with
enhanced sanitation protocols and procedures. In addition, Marriott
International on Tuesday launched the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council,
which is developing new hospitality standards "designed to minimise risk
and enhance safety for consumers and Marriott associates alike", the
company announced.
The council is chaired by Marriott chief global officer of
global operations Ray Bennett, who will receive input from internal leaders in
housekeeping, engineering, food safety, occupational health and employee wellbeing,
as well as from outside experts. Advisory members include Dr Ruth L Petran,
Ecolab senior corporate scientist, food safety and public health; Dr Michael A
Sauri, Adventist Healthcare infectious disease specialist; Dr Richard Ghiselli,
head of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Purdue
University; and Dr Randy Worobo, professor of food microbiology in the
department of food science at Cornell University.
The company also is introducing new sanitation technologies
in the coming months, including electrostatic sprayers with disinfectants
recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World
Health Organization to treat known pathogens. These will be used to clean and
disinfect guest rooms, lobbies, gyms and other public areas. In addition, the
company is testing ultraviolet light technology for sanitising keys for guests
and devices used by employees. The company already is using hospital-grade
disinfectants for cleanings now done with increased frequency, and disinfecting
wipes will be placed in each guest room.
To allay concerns about Covid-19 person-to-person contact,
Marriott will install signage in its lobbies to remind guests to maintain
social distancing protocols and will remove or rearrange furniture to allow
more space for distancing. It also provides contactless options for check-in
and check-out, room access, requests and room service. It also is evaluating
adding partitions at front desks and is working to provide masks and gloves
available to employees. In addition, Marriott will install more hand-sanitising
stations at entrances to its hotels, near the front desk, elevator banks and
fitness and meeting spaces. For food safety, the company is enhancing
sanitation guidelines and modifying operational practices for room service and
designing new approaches to buffets. No additional information on these latter
elements were available.
Marriott isn't the only hotel company to address the need to
enhance cleanliness protocols.
Best Western has upgraded its cleaning methods and is moving
toward a hands-free check-in using its mobile concierge and texting, according
to a company spokesperson. In rooms, the company has removed items that may
allow for the transmission of Covid-19, including decorative pillows, scarves,
laundry bags, amenity trays, pens and notepads. For breakfast, more pre-packaged
options are available, and the use of bulk dispensers has been reduced.
Choice Hotels also has increased its cleaning products and
protocols, with vendors offering training to meet these new standards,
according to a company statement. It, too, has adjusted its food and beverage
service to offer more pre-packaged options.
Hilton Worldwide has increased the frequency of cleaning
public areas and has continued the use of hospital-grade disinfectant and
increased the use of hand sanitisers, according to a company statement. It has also
internally shared with managed and franchised properties extra cleaning
protocols, infection control guidelines and educational material for employees,
according to a company spokesperson. Hilton also will continue to adjust its
food and beverage service to comply with current food safety recommendations.
Hyatt Hotels has also enhanced its cleaning measures in
public areas including lobbies, fitness centres, restaurants, gift shops and
business centres, and engaged a third-party cleaning provider to conduct a deep
cleaning across high-traffic areas of the hotel, according to a company
spokesperson.
InterContinental Hotels Group has supplemented its health
and safety resources with additional Covid-19 cleanliness guidance, training
and information, including adding response teams to provide around-the-clock
assistant at hotels and increased frequency of cleaning of public areas and
high-touch points in guest rooms, according to a company spokesperson. The
company also is reviewing food and beverage service.
Radisson Hotel Group is taking extra measures to ensure its
hotels are following guidelines supplied by local departments of public health
and the CDC. In addition, it is placing hand sanitiser dispensers and/or wipes
in high-traffic areas and has enhanced cleaning procedures throughout the hotel
with a focus on commonly touched areas.