COVID-19 – OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Although all legal restrictions have been removed, at The Royal, we intend to continue with our policies and practices which were put in place when we reopened last year.

These practices are set out below, and are designed to protect both our guests and our employees.

THE ROYAL HOTEL CLEANLINESS AND HYGIENE BEST PRACTICES

GENERAL PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO ALL DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF

1. All employees will have their temperature checked and recorded regularly, and any employee with a high temperature (above 37 degrees), or a persistent cough, or displaying any of the other symptoms associated with the virus will be sent home immediately.
2. All employees will thoroughly wash their hands very regularly when not wearing gloves.
3. All employees will adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times, so far as is reasonably practicable.
4. We shall use a recommended sanitiser to clean, at every opportunity, all work surfaces and items likely to be handled by customers and staff.
5. All employees will be trained and instructed on how to action these practices.
6. At all times our employees will follow the Government recommendations.

In addition to the above, the following specific practices will apply to individual departments

RECEPTION

1. A protective perspex screen has been installed at the reception desk to protect both guests and employees.
2. The keys for each bedroom will be sanitised and placed in a sealed envelope before being given to guests on their arrival.
3. All payments to be made via debit or credit card.
4. The reception team will regularly sanitise all touch points in reception, the foyer and guest facility areas.

BEDROOMS

1. Our experienced housekeeping team will be given additional time to allow them to carry out more intensive cleaning and sanitising of each bedroom before it is re-let.
2. All surfaces and items likely to be touched by guests will be given particular attention.
3. A small bottle of sanitiser will be provided for guest use in each room.
4. Our laundry supplier has confirmed that they are following Government guidelines and their industry best practices, with further measures including an increased washing temperature of no less than 76 degrees, which exceeds the guidelines.

BAR AND RESTAURANT

1. A protective perspex screen has been installed to the service part of the bar counter to protect both customers and staff.
2. All tables, chairs, surfaces and items likely to be touched by guests or staff will be thoroughly cleaned with sanitiser after use by customers.
3. All menus will be printed on ‘single use’ A4 paper, which will be disposed of immediately after use by guests.
4. Condiments and sugars will be provided in single use sealed sachets.
5. All crockery, cutlery and glasses will be, as always, thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after use via our dish/glass washing machines.
6. Staff will maintain social distancing from customers and each other, so far as is reasonably practicable.

KITCHEN

1. Special care will be taken to ensure the best standards of food handling, cleanliness and hygiene. We have consistently received a 5 star award for Food Handling and Hygiene from the Food Standards Agency.
2. All work surfaces will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitised at every opportunity.
3. All staff will maintain social distance from each other, so far as is reasonably practicable.