Sooner or later, you’re going to spend a night in a hotel for the first time since COVID-19.

In Connecticut, that can’t happen until the June 17 reopening for hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts meeting necessary guidelines.

Here are some Connecticut requirements for hotels preparing to reopen:

  • Thorough cleaning of the facility.
  • All employees must wear masks.
  • Staggered work shifts.
  • Daily health check for employees.
  • Maintain a log of employees and guests to support contact tracing.
  • Post signs reinforcing social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, use of masks and other safety protocols.
  • Use partitions where 6-foot social distancing is not possible, such as the front desk.
  • Rearrange common areas to conform with social distancing.
  • Increase ventilation rates, with more outdoor air circulating when possible.
  • Ceiling fans should be adjusted so air is drawn upward.
  • Guests can have rooms cleaned daily, at checkout or at another agreed interval, usually determined when making the reservation.
  • Discontinue nonessential services such as valet and coat check.
  • Room-service meals will be bagged and left at the visitor’s door.
  • Discontinue use of ice machines, water machines, coffeemakers and mini-bars.
  • Use disposable cups, shampoo and conditioner containers and tissue boxes.
  • Install touchless appliances, such as paper towel and soap dispensers.
  • Use mobile check-in and checkout with digital receipts.
  • Encourage alternatives to elevators.

You can find all the state hotel guidelines here.

Hotels are part of Connecticut’s Phase 2 reopening that also includes:

  • Amusement parks.
  • Indoor dining.
  • Indoor museums, zoos, and aquariums.
  • Indoor recreation (such as bowling or movie theaters).
  • Libraries.
  • Outdoor events.
  • Personal services (such as nail salons and tattoo parlors).
  • Sports and fitness facilities (such as gyms, fitness centers and pools).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has newly released tips for travelers.

Here are the CDC recommendations:

  • Use options for online reservation and check-in, mobile room key, and contactless payment.
  • Before you go, call and ask if all staff are wearing cloth face coverings at work.
  • Look for any extra prevention practices being implemented by the hotel, such as plexiglass barriers at check-in counters, and physical distancing signs in the lobby.
  • Ask if the hotel has updated policies about cleaning and disinfecting or removing frequently touched surfaces and items (such as pens, room keys, tables, phones, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, water fountains, ATMs/card payment stations, business center computers and printers, ice/vending machines, and remote controls).
  • Wear a cloth face covering in the lobby or other common areas.
  • Minimize use of areas that may lead to close contact (within 6 feet) with other people as much as possible, like break rooms, outside patios, inside lounging areas, dining areas/kitchens, game rooms, pools, hot tubs, saunas, spas, salons, and fitness centers.
  • Request contactless delivery for any room service order.
  • Consider taking the stairs. Otherwise wait to use the elevator until you can either ride alone or only with people from your household.

Not feeling well? Call your healthcare provider for guidance and try to avoid going directly to an emergency department or urgent care center, as this could increase the chances of the disease spreading.

Click here to schedule a virtual visit with a Hartford HealthCare-GoHealth Urgent care doctor.

Stay with Hartford HealthCare for everything you need to know about the coronavirus threat. Click here for information updated daily.

Questions? Call our 24-hour hotline (860.972.8100 or, toll-free, 833.621.0600). 

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