- COVID-19 cleaning and safety protocols

In response to COVID-19, hotels are implementing new standards for cleanliness and disinfection.

Below, you will find the latest official statements from individual hotel brands on what they are doing to make sure guests feel safe and at ease moving forward.

Click Here for more travel information regarding health and safety, from the U.S. Travel Association^®.

*Actual hotel accommodations and affiliated services are offered directly by the hotel property selected and that property is responsible for the condition and services at their hotel. Connections Housing bears no liability for actions or conditions within the sole control of the hotels.

MEETING & EVENTS
Health and Safety Protocols

Updated: May 14, 2020

The Caesars Entertainment team is committed to the meeting and events industry.  We have been working with a dedicated Food Safety Manager, in addition to partnering with health professionals, to develop and implement new procedures  emphasizing the well-being of participants. 

The protocols described below, or ones similar to them, are followed at all Caesars Entertainment properties.  Because health and safety requirements may vary in different locations, depending on guidance issued by local governments and public health authorities, you may experience some variation from these protocols.  For specific information about a particular property, please contact that property directly.

Oversight & Training

• A Citywide Meeting Operations Food Safety Manager will lead training efforts with our departmental ambassadors’ support.
• Caesars will implement a health screening program for all employees as part of the process of reopening properties and bringing team members back to our properties.
• Employees will be required to complete training on appropriate social distancing and new methods to greet guests and employees.
• Employees will be required to complete training on appropriate ways to cover coughs and sneezes pursuant to CDC guidelines.
• Appropriate PPEs for each position will be provided to employees pursuant to CDC guidelines.
• Employees will be required to follow scheduled mandatory hygiene (PPE changing, etc.) and sanitizing guidelines.

Convention Center Guidelines

• Hand sanitizers or hand washing stations will be placed throughout the convention center hallways.
• Hand sanitizers will be available outside of all scheduled or occupied meeting rooms.
• There will be frequent cleaning and sanitizing of public areas, with attention paid to high-touch points.
• Signage with CDC recommended handwashing procedures will be placed in all restrooms.
• Entry doors will be set in an open position to reduce guest contact with hard surfaces.
• Convention Registration will be set up at multiple stations to maintain social distancing.
• Seating in meeting rooms and at banquet tables will be spaced apart to create social distance.
• Water stations will be available with an attendant, if required by customer. Self-service will be discontinued.
• Break times and meal periods will be extended to allow for additional sanitization. Short turnovers will be avoided.
  

Food & Beverage Service

• Handwashing and sanitizing stations will be available inside meal rooms.
• All front of house employees will wear disposable gloves that are changed out between job tasks.
• All coffee break stations will be staffed with attendants.
• All break items will be packaged or individually plated.
• Plated meals will be suggested for functions. Self-service will be discontinued.
• Boxed meals and pre-packaged food offerings will be available as alternative options.
• Buffet and action stations will be available with single-sided lines and banquet service staff to serve customers. Self-service stations will not be available.
• Family style, Tableside, Butler passed, and French service will not be available.

VENDORS

• Vendors must comply with Caesars’ health and safety protocols and applicable operating standards as communicated to vendors.
  
• Vendors’ staff must sanitize hands upon arrival and wear appropriate face masks.
  
• Updated vendor agreements will reference Caesars’ health and safety protocols and operating standards applicable to vendors.

IHG^® Hotels & Resorts offers a fresh take on clean

IHG enhances guest experience with new cleaning protocols, service standards and partners, and launches a Clean Promise to give guests confidence as they re-establish travel norms

As the world adjusts to new travel norms and expectations, IHG® Hotels & Resorts is enhancing the experience for its hotel guests around the world, by redefining cleanliness and supporting guests’ personal wellbeing throughout their stay. 

Using new, science-led protocols and service measures, partnering with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, and launching a global IHG Clean Promise, the strengthened measures will give guests greater confidence and hotel teams the protection needed.

Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer, IHG, commented: “The future of travel may look different, but a safe, secure stay is fundamental to deliver True Hospitality – and that will never change. By combining IHG’s world-class knowledge and processes, with cutting-edge expertise from Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, we can reassure guests and colleagues that we’re focused on protecting their health and wellbeing. This includes looking at where technology can make a difference, deploying enhanced, highly visible and more frequent cleaning measures, and different approaches to food and beverage, all underpinned by our new IHG Clean Promise.”

Enhancing IHG Way of Clean
IHG has a long-standing commitment to rigorous cleaning procedures. Launched in 2015, the IHG Way of Clean programme was developed with Ecolab and Diversey, both world leaders in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services. This programme is now being expanded with additional COVID-19 protocols and best practices - many of which are already in place - to reflect the advice of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and local public health authorities in markets around the world. 

IHG Way of Clean already includes deep cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants and going forward guests can expect to see evolved procedures in every area of the hotel, which may include:

• Reception: Reduced contact at check-in, touchless transactions, front-desk screens, sanitiser stations, sanitised key cards, paperless checkout
• Guest Room: Visible verification of sanitised items (e.g., glassware, remote control), reduction of in-room furnishings/high-touch items, new laundry protocols, use of new technology
• Public Spaces and Facilities: Additional deep cleaning of high-touch surfaces, social distancing, "last cleaned" charts, best practices for pools, fitness centres and lounges 
• Food & Beverage: New standards and service approach to buffets, banquets, room service and catering

Supporting the Wellbeing of Guests and Colleagues 
Enabling the personal wellbeing of guests and colleagues is key. IHG is working closely with a team of medical experts at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic to develop guidance and resources for hotel teams on returning to work and keeping guests safe in this new environment, which may include: 

• Cleanliness information in hotels and on IHG’s booking channels 
• Social distancing operating procedures and signage
• Guidance on the use of protective equipment as necessary by hotel colleagues
• Updated colleague training and certification 
• Availability of individual guest amenity cleaning kits 
• Hand sanitiser and disinfecting wipes available in guest rooms and at high-touch points throughout hotels

IHG Clean Promise and Global Cleanliness Board
With updated measures in place, IHG is launching a Clean Promise. Rolling out globally from 1 June 2020, guests can be reassured that their room will meet IHG’s high standards of cleanliness. If not, the hotel will make it right. 

Leading this work is IHG’s new Global Cleanliness Board, a group of IHG experts in operations, health, safety and guest experience, working with our new external specialists, including James Merlino, Chief Clinical Transformation Officer at Cleveland Clinic, to define solutions, best practice and implement processes.

While on-property, hotel teams will also appoint Clean Champions to continue building the culture of clean instilled in IHG hotels around the world. These champions will focus on guests and colleagues as they navigate the new environment and help on-property teams to consistently deliver these elevated cleanliness standards.

ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS IN ORLANDO ANNOUNCES COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN

ORLANDO (May 7, 2020) – Rosen Hotels & Resorts, owned and operated by Florida’s largest independent hotelier Harris Rosen, announced today its COVID-19 Response plan.

Experts from the company’s nationally recognized RosenCare healthcare program partnered with a specially-appointed task force and created a comprehensive plan that applies specifically to the company’s eight Orlando hotels. The COVID-19 Response plan incorporates all of the successful learnings of RosenCare to elevate the company’s already superior level of hygiene and cleanliness to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its hotel guests and associates.

Known as a maverick within the worldwide hospitality industry, Rosen created RosenCare in 1991 as his own self-funded associate healthcare program in response to rising healthcare insurance premiums for employers. The program includes the 12,000 sq. ft. on-site Rosen Medical Center, with a 60-member staff including full-time doctors and nurses and various ancillary specialists to service the more than 6,000 associates and dependents on the plan.

“Our reputation as a hotel company has been built on providing unparalleled, individualized service,” said Rosen. “The wellbeing of our guests and associates continues to remain our highest priority.

“Times like these demand we operate above and beyond to exceed guest expectations,” continues Rosen. “As such, we have put a seasoned team in place who have developed an immediate plan of action to respond to all of the changes we are currently facing and who can swiftly respond to any future changes we may face. Having our own medical center with a team of doctors already intimately involved in our company and with our associates has proven to be an incredible asset to more quickly and effectively develop this program.”

The Rosen task force includes Dr. Ronald Ryan, the 7-year medical director of the Rosen Medical Center, as advisor. Lead by Jonathan Rivera, director of safety services, the team of experts also includes Rosen Hotels’ Risk Management, Rosen Brand Standards and leaders from departments at each of the company’s hotels who have pooled their knowledge to develop a detailed, committed plan of action that focuses on each area of the hotel. New procedures will be implemented at all eight properties and feature enhanced processes such as the cleaning of guest-centric public and “back-of-the-house” private areas with quick-acting hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants considered effective by the CDC. Additional new hotel processes include, but are not limited to:

• Adjusting to ensure social distancing between associates and guests and to limit cross-contact of common items. This includes putting in place space capacity limits, furniture rearrangements, queuing floor decals and other procedures to promote social distancing among guests.
  • Posting the CDC’s guidelines on hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes as reminders to guests and associates, while increasing the number of hand sanitizer dispensers that are available and easily accessible throughout the hotels.
  • Placing clear protective barriers at the front desk to separate guests and front desk associates.
  • Using hospital-grade disinfectants designed to kill viruses when thoroughly sanitizing each guestroom with electrostatic sprayers and to ensure touch points and commonly handled items throughout the hotels and guestrooms are are more frequently disinfected throughout the day.
  • Bed and bath linens are cleaned at the company-owned, computer-controlled and monitored on-site laundry facility in water temperatures hot enough to kill viruses. The laundering process also uses steam which further disinfects linens; while virus-eliminating detergents are used. Carts transporting linens from the company’s laundry facility to each hotel are sanitized with fast-acting disinfectants.
  • Screening associates to include temperature checks before each shift. All ill associates will be instructed to remain at home. Associates also have been trained and are frequently reminded on how to assess for symptoms and how to notify management for assistance and guidance.
  • Key management will be continuously apprised on the latest developments. Rosen associates, who play an integral part in the efforts, will be regularly briefed on the need for proper and consistent hygiene practices.

“RosenCare’s success has been achieved through an intense focus on prevention,” said Rosen. “Prevention also will be our focus as we elevate our hygiene standards at our eight Orlando hotels in response to the new pandemic. We have always maintained an impeccable level of cleanliness on behalf of our valued guests. However, now with our medical team’s involvement, we will ensure the highest levels of disinfection related to today’s new standards are unquestionably maintained.”

Having an established medical team was key to the company’s ability to quickly respond during the initial stages of the pandemic and secure testing capabilities early on for its associates. Through relationships with local certified labs, the team was able to purchase Covid 19 PCR tests with rapid results given within 24 hours. As such, the company was able to begin screening and testing its associates, obtaining results significantly faster and more cost-effectively than most testing facilities. Rosen Hotels & Resorts eight Orlando area hotels remained open until mid-April, when all but the 1334-room Rosen Centre were closed.

The hotelier’s unique commitment to health and wellness through RosenCare has saved the company more than $400 million since its inception, funds which are continuously funneled back to enhance the plan, as well as are used to fund Rosen’s numerous philanthropic initiatives such as the Tangelo Park and Parramore college scholarship programs. The plan has been nationally recognized as a leader in providing low-cost premiums with the highest level of benefits and programs for its associates.

How is The Venetian Resort responding to COVID-19, commonly referred to as novel coronavirus?

Last Updated: March 10, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. PDT

The health and safety of our team members and guests is our utmost priority. We, like all of you, are closely monitoring the developments regarding COVID-19. Our Emergency Management Team works closely with local officials and we continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) for local direction.

We always perform routine environmental cleaning and we adhere to the recommendations set forth in the U.S. EPA Emerging Pathogen Policy regarding cleaning and disinfectants. In addition to our usual cleaning procedures we have dedicated staff to focus exclusively on the safeguards we are putting in place throughout the resort, these include:

• Additional restroom attendants to wipe down counters and stalls with disinfectant.
• Additional staff to disinfect high touchpoints more regularly including escalator rails, elevator buttons and handrails.
• Hand sanitizing stations readily available throughout the resort, Congress Center and Sands Expo Convention Center.
• Attendants stationed next to each escalator handrail within the Congress Center and Sands Expo Convention Center to wipe them down during conference hours.
• In the casino we have brought in additional team members to disinfect slot machines, pits and chairs on a consistent basis.
• In the poker room we have team members on hand to wipe down all armrests with disinfectant between games.

We are encouraging our team members and guests to take the same precautions against COVID-19 that are taken to combat the common cold and flu viruses. We encourage our team members and guests to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 30 seconds.
• Refrain from shaking hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Properly discard tissue after use.
• Regularly clean and disinfect all equipment including your tools, phones, keyboard, mouse and work station.
• Avoid close contact with people who are visibly sick.
• Stay home from work (or in your suite) if you have a fever or are exhibiting cold or flu symptoms and contact your doctor, or if you are at the resort, call the front desk and request assistance from a resort EMT.

We are prepared to follow any additional protocols or guidance from CDC and SNHD, as they are made available.

TI Las Vegas Health & Safety Policies

Treasure Island Hotel & Casino ("TI") is focused on the health and safety of our guests and employees.  We are closely monitoring government policy changes and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Nevada Gaming Control Board as well as federal, state and local government mandates and any other public health advancements, and will continue to make changes as necessary or appropriate to our protocols and procedures.

TI uses cleaning products and protocols that meet all CDC, Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, which are approved for use and effective against viruses, bacteria and other airborne and blood borne pathogens.  TI continues to work with our vendors, distribution partners and suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of these cleaning supplies and necessary personal protective equipment.

These policies are subject to change, and will be updated as guidance from the afrorementioned agencies evolve.

GUEST POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Security Temperature Screenings: To help provide safety measures for both employees and guests, TI Security will implement a non-invasive temperature scan of all overnight hotel guests upon arrival in designated entrance area(s) where hotel guests will be required to maintain and practice social distancing policies.  In the event screening shows a temperature equal to or greater than 100.4 degrees ("fever"), the guest(s) will be asked to wait in a desiganted area for 15-minutes prior to retesting.  The guest(s) will be denied access to the property only if the second test is also positive for a fever, or pursuant to then-current CDC guidelines.  In addition, based on SNHD guidelines, all guests with a fever will be referred to a medical hotline for assessment.

Social Distancing: Guests are advised to practice physical social distancing by standing at least six (6) feet away from other groups of people while standing in all public areas, and limiting elevator occupancy to four (4) people.  In the event guest issues may arise, TI Security will be contacted to immediately advise guests of social distancing rules.  In addition, plexiglass shields are placed in locations in which frequent face-to-face interactions may take place such as the front desk, cashier stations, etc.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Disposable face masks will be available at the front desk and other various locations on property for guest use.

Safe Casino Gaming: TI will follow all casino gaming and hotel operations guidance as specified by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

Confirmed Room Sanitization: TI housekeeping ensures thorough cleaning of all rooms and suites before check-in and after check-out.  Daily service will be available only upon request.  To ensure all guests are confident their accommodations have been properly sanitized, a sign will be placed in the room or on the door to confirm all cleaning protocols have been completed.

Hand Washing: All public TI restrooms are equipped with touch free faucets, soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers and hand blowers.  TI encourages guests to follow the hand washing recommendations from the CDC and SNHD by thoroughly washing hands for a minimum of twenty (20) seconds with soap and warm water.

Hand Sanitizers: Touch-free hand sanitizer dispenser stations are positioned in high-traffic locations including but not limtied to restaurants, casino floor, front desk, elevator lobbies, pool entrances and theatre entrance.  In addition, personal hand sanitizers are available to guests in various locations on property.

Touchless Environment: TI has made efforts to remove as many touch points as possible including, but not limited to, designated entry / exit door with automated opening devices and/or door attendants, replacing frequently used room amenities with one-time use items, offering alternative payment methods, and other efforts to limit contact points.

Property Signage: Communications are posted around property to remind guests on how to maintain proper hygiene, including instructions on handwashing, how to avoid touching your face, how to cover coughs and sneezes, how to properly wear and dispose of PPE, and social distancing policies.  In addition, floor decals will advise guests where to queue in accordance with social distancing standards.

EMPLOYEE POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Security Temperature Screenings: To help provide safety measures for both employees and guests, TI Security will implement a non-invasive temperature scan of all employees prior to their shifts in designated employee entrance areas where employees will be required to maintain and practice social distancing policies.  In the event an employee shows a temperature equal to or greater than 100.4 degrees, they will be denied access onto the property and will be required to stay home until they are able to return to work pursuant to then-current CDC guidelines.  TI Security will then contact and notify the employee’s management of the occurrence.  Based on SNHD guidelines, all employees who are flagged for a fever will be recorded in a database that will be maintained by TI Security to assist local health authorities with aggregate data sharing and contact tracing.

Stay At Home If Sick: TI employees are required to stay at home if they do not feel well, and are instructed to contact a manager if they notice a coworker  or guest with a cough, shortness of breath, or other known symptoms of COVID-19.  TI employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should not come back to work until permitted under CDC guidelines.

Expanded Training: All TI employees will be trained about COVID-19 and prevention through literature released by the CDC and SNHD.  Additional training will be provided for TI employees with frequent guest contact.

Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizers: TI employees will be instructed to wash and/or santize their hands based on CDC guidelines every sixty (60) minutes and/or when using the restroom, sneezing, touching their face, blowing their nose, handling luggage, smoking, eating, drinking, entering or leaving the property, as well as going on break and before or after starting a shift.  Hand sanitizer dispensers are placed at employee entrances as well as at various time clock locations.

Social Distancing Policy: TI employees are to practice social distancing by standing or sitting a least six (6) feet away from other employees and guests, including within the employee dining room, uniform control, kitchens, at the employee services window, within employee’s respective departments and other high-density areas in order to ensure appropriate social distancing between employees and guests.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Every TI employee will be provided and required to wear a face mask at all times while on property.  Some employees will receive additional PPE based on their positions, such as housekeeping, EVS, food and beverage employees, and front desk.  In addition, TI employees will be properly trained on how to use and dispose of any required PPE specific to their job responsibilities.

Employee Signage: Communication signage, both digital and printed, will be posted on property to remind employees on how to maintain property hygiene, including instructions on proper handwashing, how to avoid touching your face, how to cover coughs and sneezes, how to property wear and dispose of PPE, and how to identity a co-worker or guest exhibiting signs of symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Personal Protection: TI employees need to avoid touching their face, including eyes, nose, and mouth as well as covering cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly disposing the tissue.

Cleaning Procedures and Protocols: The frequency of the cleaning and sanitizing has increased in high-traffic areas with an emphasis on, but not limited to, slot machines and chairs, gaming tables and chairs, elevator buttons and panels, front desk counters, casino Player's Club booth and kiosks, door handles, ATMs, redemption terminals, escalator handrails, the employee dining rooms, kitchens, loading docks, employee entrances, employee restrooms, offices, hallways, employee services windows and training areas.  In addition, special cleaning attention has been made to guest rooms and suites, including high touch areas such as TV remote controls, door and furniture handles and knobs, toilet seats and handles, water faucet handles, nightstands, telephones, alarms clocks, light switches, thermostats and flooring.  Any shared supplies or equipment wil be sanitized before, during and after each shift or anytime the supplies or equipment is used by another employee.

Additional guidance will be provided to address individual locations and responsibilities. All guidance is subject to change. Last update 28 May 2020.

TRUMP HOTELS - Our Commitment to Health and Safety

Trump Hotels has a long-standing commitment to providing impeccably clean properties, with a focus on ensuring the health and safety of our associates, guests and residents. As the Covid-19 situation began to impact our communities in early March, we implemented additional practices and procedures in furtherance of this commitment, following guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as our federal, state and local government, and on top of our already extensive cleaning measures as a luxury, five-star hotel brand.

These practices and procedures include:

Associate Training and Awareness: 

• In conjunction with Ecolab, we have increased our associate training. In early March, all Trump hotels participated in on-site training conducted by Ecolab's Ecosure team. Training included practical guidance to help reduce the risk of infection related to COVID-19, with emphasis on cleaning, disinfecting, and both personal and environmental hygiene.
• Associates have also been instructed on CDC recommended social distancing practices, including maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others when possible.
• In situations and locations where required or recommended by state or local government, associates have been provided cloth face coverings. 
• Health & Safety postings emphasizing frequent handwashing and ways to prevent the spread of illness have been posted in areas frequented by associates as a reminder of the importance of good hygiene.  
• Associates are regularly instructed on the importance of staying at home if they are unwell or if they have experienced a potential exposure to COVID-19.

Cleaning Practices:

• We have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting public areas, including door handles, handrails, bathroom surfaces, front desk surfaces, elevators, and elevator buttons.  We are also cleaning and disinfecting all guest room keys daily.
• We have selected Ecolab products that are EPA registered, heavy-duty, hospital grade disinfectants.

Sanitizing Stations:

• Throughout our properties we have positioned hand sanitizers for guests, residents and associates.  

Statement from Warwick Hotels and Resorts: COVID-19 Update

Your Travel Safety

We would like to reassure you that we are supplementing our existing rigorous health and safety protocol with coronavirus-specific guidance, procedures and training. These measures are in place to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for you whenever you visit any one of our hotels and resorts. We continue to monitor information from World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control to ensure that our actions and precautions are comprehensive.

Warwick Cares Programme

Our Health and Safety Commitment:
The safety, health and well-being of our guests and employees are very important to us.
We are taking enhanced preventative measures to comply with the latest guidance on cleaning and hygiene. Extensive protocols, upgraded training and new cleaning procedures with sanitizing products have been added to our existing housekeeping practices in front of house, guest rooms and all other areas.
We take the greatest care to ensure your stay with us is safe, clean and comfortable. 

Warwick cares about safety and hygiene
Warwick Hotels and Resorts has implemented new norms and best cleaning practices throughout its operations to provide guests and employees alike with a safe and clean environment and peace of mind when staying within our properties. 

• Guest Rooms: new procedures focused on intense cleaning to include rigorous and specific sanitization of high touch areas by trained employees whilst minimizing interactions 
• Public Spaces:  new arrangements have been made to public areas and sitting facilities for movement control and to respect physical distancing guidelines. Signage is displayed to communicate the various distancing protocols when circulating throughout the hotel. An increase of cleansing and disinfecting of public space and high touch areas has been implemented.
• “Behind the scenes”:  increased frequency of cleaning and focus on high-touch areas is equally implemented in back of house areas. Ongoing trainings on the latest sanitizing procedures, protocols related to physical distancing and usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) are also being provided to our staff members.

Warwick Journeys:

Warwick Journeys is pleased to inform its members that moving forward, their status will remain and be guaranteed until December 31, 2022.

We extend to our Warwick Journeys members full flexibility when booking the Member Exclusive Rate and being able to change or cancel their booking up to 4.00pm at local destination on the day of arrival. 

Your Travel Flexibility

We remain committed to providing you the most flexible travel plans possible. In light of these circumstances, please visit the hotel website for further information.

We recognize and appreciate your trust in us, and we endeavor – now more than ever - to provide you with peace of mind when you choose Warwick Hotels & Resorts.

Rest assured that at Warwick Hotels & Resorts, we understand that customers feel some uncertainty and anxiety about booking future travel. Therefore, we trust that our temporary changes in pricing and cancellation policy brings you comfort.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Launches New “Count on Us” Initiative to Build Confidence Among Guests and to Support Franchisees as it Unveils Early Plans to Welcome Back Travelers

Will require consistent use of industry-leading, EPA-approved disinfectants from Ecolab; announces plans to drop-ship hard-to-source face masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to over 6,000 U.S. hotels

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (May 4, 2020) – Highlighting its continued commitment to hotel owners, team members and guests, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,300 hotels across 90 countries, today launched “Count on Us^SM,^” a new long-term, multi-faceted initiative to build confidence among guests and to support franchisees as it begins making preparations to welcome travelers back to its more than 6,000 U.S. hotels.

Launch of the new initiative follows dialogue and collaboration with Wyndham franchisees, members of its Franchise Advisory Councils, leading industry partners, and key trade organizations like the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). The immediate focus is to further elevate health and safety protocols at Wyndham hotels in the wake of COVID-19, shore up critical supply chains and introduce new standards, training and guidelines grounded in guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Wyndham will also partner with industry leader Ecolab on requiring consistent use of Ecolab’s EPA-approved disinfectants in hotel guestrooms and public spaces nationwide.

“We want the everyday traveler to know they can count on us to put their health and safety first,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Over 90% of our hotels in the U.S. today are open and welcoming essential business, government, healthcare and emergency responders every night. We salute these everyday heroes who are keeping our nation running. We know that people will also travel again for leisure and to see family and friends. And when they do, Wyndham will be ready to welcome them back.”

Key early components of the new initiative—designed to be cost neutral when combined with other recent operational changes—are slated to begin rolling out in the coming weeks and include:

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfection of Guestrooms and Public Spaces
Through expansion of a decades-long relationship with industry leader Ecolab, Wyndham will require consistent use of Ecolab’s EPA-approved disinfectants in all U.S. hotel guestrooms and public spaces. Building on the already high operational standards at its hotels, the move is anticipated to help deliver an elevated and more consistent cleaning experience nationwide while providing hotel owners and their team members with access to Ecolab’s best-in-class training and resources, including a field team of more than 2,000 on-the-ground experts ready to assist hotels.

A global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention technologies and services with nearly 100 years of experience, Ecolab develops its products with a rigorous, science-based approach to infection prevention that helps enable hotels to consistently achieve the highest cleaning standards. In recent years, Wyndham’s brand operations teams have spent significant time in Ecolab’s research and development facilities, increasing their education on best practices and offering perspective on real-world use and how to create a better, cleaner stay for guests.

Easy Access to COVID-19 Health Essentials
In response to the growing challenges that many small businesses and individuals face as they try to secure essential health supplies that meet CDC guidelines, Wyndham will leverage its scale and relationships with world class distributors to begin drop-shipping critical products to its more than 6,000 hotels across the U.S. within the next 30 days. Items will include face masks for hotel team members, hand sanitizer for distribution in public areas and guestrooms, and disinfectant wipes for guests. Leveraging volume discounts pre-negotiated by Wyndham, these items will be made available at cost to hotel owners with the Company financing all initial shipments and deferring payments from hotels until September 1, 2020.

Delivering on the Promise of a “Safe Stay”
As a member of The AHLA Safe Stay Advisory Council, Wyndham has joined with other industry leaders as well as public health experts, scientists and medical leaders to develop a series of industry best practices and guidelines that focus on enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols to meet the new health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19. In coordination with the rollout of these guidelines, Wyndham will be implementing a series of mandatory virtual trainings for all hotels while providing additional resources like housekeeping checklists, which hotels can use with team members to ensure consistency and accountability in execution.

A Visible Commitment to Guests
Recognizing the importance of building trust and instilling confidence, Wyndham is also taking steps to ensure guests and hotel team members can physically see the above efforts and trust in their impact. On property, guests will be offered sanitizing wipes along with their keycards at check in, notice social distancing enhancing measures in public spaces, observe increased frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch areas, and can utilize complimentary travel-size hand sanitizer in each room. To further amplify these efforts, Wyndham will make available to hotels a suite of branded collateral emphasizing key safety measures. Similar messaging will also make its way onto the Company’s brand websites, emails and social channels.

“At a time when our industry is facing unprecedented challenges, Wyndham has once again proven itself to be an unwavering partner and advocate for me and for my business,” said Ajit Patel, chairman of the Days Inn® by Wyndham Franchise Advisory Council and a 21-year Wyndham franchisee. “By consistently putting first the needs of its franchisees, Wyndham enables us to always do what is best for our hotel and in turn, what is best for our team members and our guests.”

Wynn Las Vegas Health and Disinfection Program

Employee & Guest Health
The health and safety of our employees and guests is our number one priority.

• Thermal Cameras. Points of entry will be limited to allow our security team to conduct non-invasive temperature checks utilizing thermal cameras. Anyone displaying a temperature over 100.0°F1 will be taken to a private area for a secondary temporal temperature screening. Employees or guests confirmed to have a temperature over 100.0°F will not be allowed entry to the property and will be directed towards appropriate medical care.
• Physical Distancing. Guests will be advised to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while standing in lines, waiting for elevators or moving around the property. Restaurant tables, slot machines and other physical layouts will be arranged to ensure appropriate distancing. Employees will be reminded not to touch their faces and to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from guests and other employees whenever possible. All resort outlets will comply with, or exceed, local or state mandated occupancy limits.
• Hand Sanitizer. Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas such as driveways, reception areas, hotel lobbies, the casino floor, restaurant entrances, meeting and convention spaces, elevator landings, pools, salons and exercise areas. Hand lotion, to prevent skin from drying out due to frequent sanitizing, will also be provided in guest rooms and throughout the back of house (in touchless dispensers) for employees.
• Front of the House Signage. There will be health and hygiene reminders throughout the property including the proper way to wear, handle and dispose of masks and face coverings2. Table game electronic signs will also be used for messaging and communication.
• Back of the House Signage. Signage will be posted throughout the property reminding employees of the proper way to wear, handle and dispose masks and face coverings, use gloves (in positions deemed appropriate by medical experts), wash hands, sneeze and to avoid touching their faces.
• Employee & Guest Health Concerns. Our employees have been given clear instructions on how to respond swiftly and report all presumed cases of COVID-19 on property to the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). We will be ready to provide support to our guests. Employees are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well and are instructed to contact a manager if they notice a coworker or guest displaying or complaining of a cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, a new loss of taste or smell, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or other known symptoms of COVID-19. Employees and guests who are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 while at the property are instructed to immediately notify their manager (employees) or hotel security (guests). A certified emergency medical technician (EMT) will be on site 24 hours per day during the initial re-opening period.
• Case Notification. If we are alerted to a presumptive case of COVID-19 at the resort, we will work with the SNHD to follow its recommended protocols.

Employee’s Responsibilities
Wynn Employees are vital for an effective health and sanitation program.

• Hand Washing. Correct hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap is vital to help combat the spread of virus. All Wynn employees have been instructed to wash their hands, or use sanitizer when a sink is not available, every 60 minutes (for 20-seconds) and after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching the face, blowing the nose, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, entering and leaving the gaming floor, going on break and before or after starting a shift.
• COVID-19 Training. All employees will receive training on COVID-19 safety and disinfection protocols with more comprehensive training for our teams with frequent guest contact including Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Public Area Department, Hotel Operations and Security.
• COVID-19 Testing. All employees will access to testing through Wynn’s partnership with University Medical Center (UMC).
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Appropriate PPE will be worn by all employees based on their role and responsibilities and in adherence to state or local regulations and guidance. Training on how to properly use and dispose of all PPE will be mandatory. Every employee entering the resort will be provided a mask and required to wear that mask while on property. Gloves will be provided to employees whose responsibilities require them as determined by medical experts including housekeeping and public area attendants and security officers in direct contact with guests.
• Daily Pre-Shift & Timekeeping. Employee pre-shift meetings will be conducted virtually or in areas that allow for appropriate physical distancing between employees. Larger departments will stagger employee arrival times to minimize traffic volume in back of house corridors and service elevators. Hand sanitizer will be available at each timeclock location and employees will be required to sanitize their hands after clocking in. Our management team will ensure constant communication and proper PPE, cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed and updated per the latest expert guidance.

The Guest Journey

• Guest Arrival
  A security officer will greet each visitor to the resort. Visitors will be screened for temperature and then asked to use hand sanitizer and highly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering (which will be provided by the resort). Appropriate signage will also be prominently displayed outlining proper mask usage and current physical distancing practices in use throughout the resort.
  1. Guest Arrival Valet, Taxi or Ride Share
     • Guests will enter the resort through doors that are either propped open, are automated or manually operated by an employee.
     • Employees will not open the doors of cars or taxis.
     • Guests requesting bell service will be assisted and the bell cart will be disinfected after each guest is assisted.
     • Valet services will be suspended until further notice.
  2. Guest Arrival by Wynn Limousine
     • Limos will be thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.
     • No more than four guests will be permitted per SUV and no more than two guests will be permitted per sedan.
     • Guests will not be permitted in the front passenger seat.
• Hotel Guest Elevators
  1. An employee will be present to disinfect the button panels at regular intervals, at least once per hour.
  2. Signage will be posted to explain the current procedures.
  3. No more than four guests will be permitted per elevator.
• Guest Room Disinfection
  1. Guests will be assigned a room that has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and sealed with a disinfection sticker that the guest will break upon entry.
  2. Each guest room will receive a COVID-19 awareness card outlining the health and disinfection steps being taken by the resort.
  3. A spray bottle of sanitizer and/or wipes will be provided in each room for guest use (subject to availability and stored out of reach of small children).

Cleaning Products and Protocols
Our hotels use cleaning products and protocols which meet EPA guidelines3 for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 and are effective against viruses, bacteria and other airborne and bloodborne pathogens. Electrostatic disinfectant sprayers containing hospital disinfectant will be used throughout the resort in high traffic areas, guest rooms and on high touch surfaces. We are working with our vendors, distribution partners and suppliers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of these cleaning supplies and the necessary PPE. PAD, Housekeeping and Stewarding will be the primary departments responsible for all cleaning and disinfecting in their respective areas (per regular business operating procedures). Other departments will support as appropriate for employee and guest service and safety.

• Public Spaces and Communal Areas. The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting has been increased in all public spaces with an emphasis on frequent contact surfaces including, but not limited to, front desk check-in counters, bell desks, elevators and elevator buttons, door handles, public bathrooms, room keys and locks, ATMs, escalator and stair handrails, casino cage counters, gaming machines, gaming tables, gym equipment, dining surfaces and seating areas.
• Guest Rooms. Industry leading cleaning and disinfecting protocols are used to clean guest rooms, with particular attention paid to high-touch items including television remote controls, toilet seats and handles, door and furniture handles, water faucet handles, nightstands, telephones, in-room control panels, light switches, temperature control panels, alarm clocks, luggage racks and flooring. The existing Amazon Alexa units allow for touchless control of key features including drapery, air conditioning and lighting. Upon check out each room will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using electrostatic spray technology; rooms will then be sealed with a disinfection label.
• Laundry. All bed linen and laundry will continue to be washed at a high temperature and in accordance with CDC guidelines4. Dirty linen will be bagged in the guest room to eliminate excess contact while being transported to the laundry facility.
• Back of the House. The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting will also increase in high traffic back of house areas with an emphasis on the employee dining rooms, employee entrances, uniform control rooms, employee restrooms, loading docks, offices, kitchens, security scanning podiums, Employee Relations service desks and training classrooms.
• Shared Equipment. Shared tools and equipment will be disinfected before, during and after each shift or anytime the equipment is transferred to a new employee. This includes phones, radios, computers and other communication devices, payment terminals, kitchen implements, engineering tools, safety buttons, folios, cleaning equipment, keys, time clocks and all other direct contact items used throughout the resort. The use of shared food and beverage equipment in back of the house office pantries (including shared coffee brewers) will be discontinued.
• Room Recovery Protocol. In the event of presumptive case of COVID-19 the guest’s room will be removed from service and quarantined. The guest room will not be returned to service until case has been confirmed or cleared. In the event of a positive case, the room will only be returned to service after undergoing an enhanced disinfection protocol by a licensed third-party expert and approval by the SNHD.
• Air Filter and HVAC Cleaning. The frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning has been increased and fresh air exchange will be maximized.