DOT: New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines for Accommodation Establishments

A Health and Safety Guidelines Governing the Operations of Accommodation Establishments under the New Normal has been published by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines official Facebook Page on Monday, May 25, 2020. This circular is also called the “New Normal Health and Safety Guidelines for Accommodation Establishments.”

Below are more details with regards to the health and safety guidelines for accommodation establishments from Guest Handling Policy to Reportorial Requirements based on the order published by the DOT. The circular is immediately effective until otherwise superseded, amended, or repealed accordingly.

Scope and Application

The Order shall apply to all Accommodation Establishments in the Philippines in areas where Community Quarantine is no longer in place.

Operations Under the New Normal

Guest Handling Policy

1. Guests must complete a Health Declaration Form upon check in.
2. Online payment is encouraged upon booking.
3. Body temperature checking using a thermal scanner at the hotel entrances shall be undertaken for all guests by qualified health or medical staff or trained hotel personnel.
   • Only guests cleared during screening shall be allowed to enter the hotel perimeter to check-in.
   • Those with fever and flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to enter the establishment and will be referred to the doctor on duty, to the nearest hospital, or to the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) in accordance with the DOH prescribed protocol.
4. Guests shall be advised to disinfect their shoes using sanitizing mats provided at the entrances.
5. Physical Distancing measures, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette must be observed when handling guests at the check-in counter.
6. Guests must be provided with appropriate information on the prevailing disease, as well as the policies enforced by the establishment to reduce the risk and spread of the disease.
   • Information materials must be provided to guests:
     • hand washing and respiratory etiquette
     • proper use of face mask
     • emergency contact numbers, among others
7. Guests must be informed of the management policies on room occupancy, dining, and use of public areas imposed to ensure safety and reduce risk of infection. Emphasizing:
   • Physical distancing
   • Wearing of face mask
   • Proper hand washing / hand sanitizing practice
8. No showing of guests around the room after check in. Guest escorting to the room may be allowed following strict observance of physical distancing and in compliance with the health and safety protocols set by the DOH.
9. Guests must be provided with reminder cards, which may include the following:

• • No sharing of food or any personal or non-personal belongings;
  • Proper disposal of used PPE;
  • Mingling with occupants of other rooms are not encouraged;
  • Practice of proper hand washing etiquette/hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and proper use of face mask; and
  • Strict observance of Physical Distancing.

Reception Counter and Concierge

1. Official up-to-date information must be available at the reception desk about travel to and from countries and/or other areas, including local destinations, that are identified by the Department of Health (DOH) as high-risk in spreading the virus or disease.
2. Emergency contact numbers of public health authorities, nearest hospital or medical center, and the DOH Assistance Center must be readily available in the reception desk.
3. The following medical kit and PPE shall be readily available at the reception counter or desk:
   • Germicidal disinfectant or wipes for surface cleaning;
   • Face mask or face shield;
   • Biohazard disposable waste bag;
   • 70% solution alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
   • Tissue paper, napkin, or paper towel; and
   • Disposable gloves
4. Other PPE that may be considered in the reception counter for emergency purposes are as follows:
   • Disposable protective apron
   • Disposable protective shoe covers
   • Full-length long-sleeved gown / protective clothing / coveralls
5. 70% solution alcohol, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and tissue paper / paper towel must also be available at the concierge.
6. A floor marker that allows one (1) meter distance between guests on queuing must be in place to ensure physical distancing.
7. Acrylic glass barrier may be set up at the front desk for additional protection.
8. Contactless payment is highly encouraged.

Reception or Front Desk Officer

1. Regular briefing and information on current and updated health crisis and simulation of pertinent security and safety measures for reception desk staff or front desk officers must be conducted.
2. Precautionary measures, including Physical Distancing, hand cleaning, and respiratory etiquette must be strictly observed.
3. Front desk personnel must be familiar with room occupancy policy for accompanying persons in the event of a suspected case.
4. Front desk personnel attending to guests must wear face masks. Disposable gloves must be used when handling cash or documents, and/or materials that are passed from person to person. Contactless process at the front desk is highly encouraged.
5. All staff extending guest assistance that requires physical contact (e.g. wheelchair, bell service) must wear proper PPE, such as face mask and gloves, whenever necessary.
6. Hand-shaking is not advised, the practice of Filipino Brand of Service (FBS) or the “Mabuhay Gesture” in greeting and receiving guests, as well as other forms of contactless greeting, is highly encouraged.

Room Occupancy Policy

1. Only single up to double room occupancy is allowed. Couples or family members who share the same household may be allowed in double or twin occupancy rooms. A distance of 1 to 2 meters between the beds is highly encouraged.
2. Room transfers may be allowed when necessary.
3. Sanitation kit shall be provided for each guest which may include 70% solution alcohol or alcohol-based sanitizers, disinfectant sprays, face masks, disposable gloves, and rags.
4. Bathroom amenities must be regularly provided for each guest.
5. Trash bins must be provided inside the guest room. A separate trash bag or bin intended for used PPE such as face mask, gloves and other sanitation waste materials must be provided.
6. Rooms must be set up to allow convenient in-room dining for guests.
7. Room turndown service is highly discouraged.

Housekeeping Staff

1. Housekeeping staff should be trained in the proper use of disinfectants or sanitizing solutions and provided with appropriate PPE such as face masks, gloves, disposable gown/ coverall and closed shoes.
2. Housekeeping staff must use PPE such as disposable gloves, eye protection gear (goggles) and face masks, when cleaning guest rooms and other common areas.
3. When cleaning rooms used by a suspected infected person, housekeeping staff must use additional protective equipment, such as disposable or washable coverall and protective shoe covers in accordance with DOH guidelines for disinfection processes.
4. Used PPE must be removed and disposed or washed using standard disinfection control measures in accordance with the guidelines issued by DOH.
5. After routine disinfection and decontamination of a guestroom, housekeeping staff must wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers as recommended by DOH.
6. If doing cleaning that generates splashes while washing surfaces, cleaning staff must use facial protection or face shield and waterproof aprons.
7. Housekeeping staff must change work clothes before going home. Proper handling of work clothes in the establishment must be in place.
8. Frequent sanitation of high touched surfaces in guestrooms and public areas using the prescribed sanitizing solutions by the DOH or WHO must be conducted.

Room Decontamination

1. Room occupancy per floor may be established taking into consideration proper spacing and Physical Distancing.
2. The establishment must ensure prompt action to clean rooms after each use of guest/s. It must be a standard procedure to sanitize rooms right after check-out.
3. Before accepting a new guest or occupant, rooms must remain empty for a certain period, depending on the disinfecting technology or materials being used.
4. Disinfection of rooms and surfaces must be conducted every after guests check out. This includes disinfection of furniture, appliances, flooring, and panes using bleach solution or any approved disinfecting agent.
5. Thorough disinfection of rooms and common areas using enhanced technologies, such as electrostatic sprayers with hospital-grade disinfectants, high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or germicidal ultra-violet (UV) lighting system, at least once every two (2) weeks is highly encouraged.
6. Minibars and other complimentary in-room food and beverage, except bottled water, are highly discouraged.

Linen Decontamination Procedure in accordance with DOH Guidelines

1. Used linen and other washable items must be handled as little as possible with minimal agitation to prevent possible contamination of the handler or the environment.
2. For in-house laundry, linen and other washable items must be soaked using appropriate disinfecting solution for at least fifteen (15) minutes.
3. If the room was used by a suspected infected person, all washable items such as bedsheets, blankets, pillowcases, and towels must be placed in a separate disposal bag and washed separately using hot water (70-80ºC).
4. Non-washable items including mattresses and pillows must be wiped with diluted bleach solution or any approved disinfecting agent.
5. Disposable gloves and mask must be used when handling and segregating soiled linen to appropriately designed bins. Used bins must be sanitized after every use.
6. All items for disposal must be disposed in sealed bags immediately.

Food and Beverage (F&B) Service

1. Restaurants, dining areas, and other F&B personnel must strictly observe proper hygiene at all times.
2. Guests must be reminded to disinfect their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or 70% solution alcohol located at the reception counter upon entering and leaving the vicinity.
3. Self-service station set up for guests at the dining area is highly discouraged. All food and beverages must be served by restaurant crew or personnel.
4. Buffet services and room service is highly discouraged.
5. Serving of individually-packed meals using biodegradable packaging is encouraged.
6. In lieu of room service, grab-and-go station (where guests can pick-up their breakfast or ordered food) must be made available. Grab-and-go stations must be sanitized regularly every after use.
7. Banquet tables that can accommodate ten (10) guests must accommodate only five (5) guests. Tables shall be arranged such that the distance from the back of one chair to the back of another chair shall be more than 1 meter apart and the guests face each other from a distance of at least 1 meter.
8. Function venues must be disinfected during break time or after every meeting or event.
9. Function venues must have limited capacities to ensure physical distancing.
10. Restaurants and other dining facilities must be mindful of the direction of the airflow in arranging tables to avoid droplet transmission prompted by air-conditioned ventilation.

Kitchen Sanitation and Disinfection

1. A separate handwashing area for kitchen staff must be provided or installed. Kitchen staff should wash hands (including fingernails) up to the forearms thoroughly with warm water and soap as often as necessary.
2. Kitchen staff must wear face shields when handling food. Hands and exposed portions of arms must be washed before any food preparation or packaging. Food handlers must use proper PPE to avoid contamination.
3. Use of bare hands must be minimized by using utensils, gloves, or tongs especially when preparing or packing ready-to-eat foods.
4. Kitchen staff must ensure that clean and sanitized cloths, towels, linens, aprons, and mop heads are used at appropriate intervals during the work period.
5. Kitchen staff must be provided with PPE such as face masks, disposable gloves, hairnets, clean overalls, and slip reduction work shoes.
6. All dishes, silverwares, and glassware must be washed and disinfected, including items that have not been used, as they might have been in contact with the hands of the guest or staff.
7. Kitchen surfaces must be properly cleaned and sanitized after every use.
8. All food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils must be washed, sanitized and rinsed before each use to avoid contamination.
9. All food and equipment storage areas must be kept free of rodents and insects to prevent contamination.
10. Food must be protected from dirt, pests, unnecessary handling, droplet contamination, overhead leakage, or other environmental sources of contamination.

General Common Areas

1. Sanitizing mats must be available at all entry points.
2. Cleaning and disinfection measures in common areas (e.g. lobby, restrooms, halls, corridors, elevators, etc.) must be applied as a general preventive measure. Special attention must be given to objects that are frequently touched such as elevator button, handles, handrails, switches, doorknobs, kitchen surfaces, etc.
3. Physical Distancing must be strictly observed when using elevators. Only 50% of the maximum capacity is recommended to avoid physical contact. Placing of floor markers to delineate physical distancing is likewise encouraged.
4. All general facilities and all furnishings must be cleaned, disinfected, and wiped at least once daily.
5. Sanitation stations must be set up within the workplace and areas frequented by customers and guests.
6. Trash bins must be available and accessible in all areas of the establishment. These must be sanitized every after disposal or trash collection.
7. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials on proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and proper use of face mask must be posted in conspicuous areas, particularly at the restrooms and other wash areas.
8. Placement of signs reminding guests and general public to minimize touching of surfaces in public areas is highly recommended.

Toilets and Restrooms

1. Adequate supply of soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, toilet paper and paper towels in the restrooms must be ensured.
2. Hand-washing and toilet flushing facilities must be functional at all times, including adequate supply of clean water.
3. Toilets and restrooms must be cleaned and sanitized regularly every two (2) hours.