CHICAGO (WSIL) -- The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) has announced new safety guidelines for guests and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The association says its Clean + Safe Guidance will provide re-opening recommendations, as well as cleaning and hygiene procedures, for hotels across the state.
"As our state begins to focus on reopening our economy and recovering from COVID-19, hotels are making important changes to safely welcome guests and employees back. We are proud of the many steps hoteliers are taking to provide safe accommodations to our guests, as well as working conditions for our team members during this time. Further, we look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders in crafting the best path forward that allows hotels to open confidently, serve its customers and get employees back to work. As a major contributor to our economy and a supporter of our local restaurants and small businesses, we know that the hotel and tourism industry will play a major role in our recovery, both for our economy and our state's morale," said Michael Jacobson, president & CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.
Examples outlined in the Clean + Safe Guidance include:
� Placing prominent signage encouraging social distancing as well as placing hand sanitizer at entrances and front desks
� Providing gloves and PPE to employees who require them
� Routinely sanitizing frequently touched surfaces such as button panels on elevators and considering floor markings in the elevator area to designate proper social distancing
� Providing spray bottles of sanitizer or wipes in each room for guest use
� Multi-use and unnecessary amenities including reading material, pen and paper, and decorative pillows are removed from guest rooms
� Ensuring social distancing for front desk agents by having them utilize every other workstation and implementing technology to help limit contact during check-ins.
� Implementing changes to food and beverage offerings including contactless delivery of room-service and rollout of "grab-and-go" meal options.
More information about the guidelines can be found at .
