As the UK hospitality sector prepares to reopen tomorrow, Accor hotels have announced to adopt ALLSAFE, a global cleanliness and coronavirus prevention programme for all its UK and Ireland properties.
Developed by Accor, in partnership with international standards and certification company Bureau Veritas, ALLSAFE requires hotels to follow rigorous health and hygiene measures that go beyond many governments' minimum requirements.
The measures include hospital grade room disinfection, deep-cleaning of all upholstery and carpets, with bedding being washed and treated at high temperatures and others, such as placement of appropriate partitioning at the reception area and interactive zones, sanitary measures for guest?s use and strict observance of social distancing procedures. Those who sign up for the scheme must also show evidence that their employees have been through a comprehensive safety and hygiene training programme.
As a part of the programme, every hotel in Accor?s 270 UK and Ireland brand portfolio will follow the upgraded measures. Once the protocols have been fully introduced, the hotel will be approved ALLSAFE, after the completion of a virtual and on-site audit, conducted independently.
In the UK, all aspects of the programme will be assessed by Clifton Environmental Services, a health, safety and hygiene auditor. The ALLSAFE programme addresses potential concerns for travellers, should they feel unwell when they reach their destination hotel. The programme has provision for guests to access free telemedicine consultations through AXA Partners.
Richard Short, director of Health, Safety and Environment, Accor, Northern Europe, said: ?The health, safety and well-being of our staff, guests and partners is our absolute priority, as the world progressively relaxes its lockdown measures. Accor has set appropriate safety standards and cleaning protocols with the ALLSAFE label, to ensure hotels can be re-opened and reassure guests that they can come back and experience our hospitality. With the launch of ALLSAFE, Accor has developed some of the most stringent cleaning standards and operational protocols in the world of hospitality.?
Thomas Dubaere, COO Accor Northern Europe, added: ?The health and safety of our guests and staff were paramount even before COVID-19 and more so now. Building trust among our guests, reassuring them that every possible step has been taken to safeguard their health and wellbeing, is vital. Guests can now be assured that hotels carrying an Accor brand in the UK and Ireland have been rated by an independent auditor, as compliant with some of the most exacting standards in the hospitality industry. As our hotels prepare to reopen, I am proud to confirm our hotels are ALLSAFE.?
