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Category: Covid-19

COVID-19 or Other Illness on the Premises

Posted on by Fiona Campbell

The Scottish Government (SG) has today confirmed that the following guidance is still correct (as confirmed by SG Covid isolation policy colleagues), but there is ongoing work with Public Health Scotland and key health officials within government to review in light of forthcoming changes and to ensure alignment.

I’m aware that Carole proposed some amendments regarding public transport (copied below for ease of comparison).  At the moment Scottish Government are still advocating the avoidance of public transport because of transmission risks.

While this is the current position, this is a live issue and will be updated in light of any announced changes.    

Current and agreed SG position:

COVID-19 or other illness on the premises

In the event that a guest develops symptoms whilst staying away from home, they should immediately book a test through NHS Inform or, if they can’t get online. by phoning 0800 028 2816.

In accordance with Test and Protect, people with symptoms are required to self-isolate for 10 days, and everyone in their household should isolate for 10 days. If the test is negative, everyone can end isolation. If the test is positive, everyone should continue to isolate, and the NHS Test and Protect team will be in touch to start contact tracing. Those contacted through the Test and Protect programme will be required to self-isolate for at least 10 days.

If guests who are isolating can travel home safely to isolate, avoiding the use of public transport, they should do this.

In the event that this is not possible, the guest should discuss this with the NHS Test and Protect team. The guest may be signposted to the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000 if they need help to isolate and cannot arrange it themselves or through friends and family.

In some circumstances further discussion may be required with the local Health Protection Team and local authority to ensure that the person has suitable accommodation to isolate safely and effectively.

After the required period of self-isolation, guests and anyone else in their party who has been affected can then return to their main place of residence.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

COVID-19 or other illness on the premises

Posted on by Melanie Allen

The latest advice received from the Scottish Government (2 August 2021)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

COVID-19 or other illness on the premises

In the event that a guest develops symptoms whilst staying away from home, they should immediately book a test through NHS Inform or, if they can’t get online. by phoning 0800 028 2816.

In accordance with Test and Protect, people with symptoms are required to self-isolate for 10 days, and everyone in their household should isolate for 10 days. If the test is negative, everyone can end isolation. If the test is positive, everyone should continue to isolate, and the NHS Test and Protect team will be in touch to start contact tracing. Those contacted through the Test and Protect programme will be required to self-isolate for at least 10 days.

If guests who are isolating can travel home safely to isolate, avoiding the use of public transport, they should do this.

In the event that this is not possible, the guest should discuss this with the NHS Test and Protect team. The guest may be signposted to the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000 if they need help to isolate and cannot arrange it themselves or through friends and family.

In some circumstances further discussion may be required with the local Health Protection Team and local authority to ensure that the person has suitable accommodation to isolate safely and effectively.

After the required period of self-isolation, guests and anyone else in their party who has been affected can then return to their main place of residence.

PHS advice

What to do if a guest develops or arrives with COVID-19 symptoms

Operators should signpost to PHS non-healthcare settings guidance, which currently states:

If the affected person has mild symptoms they should go home as soon as they notice symptoms and follow the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection. Where possible they should minimise contact with others, e.g. use a private vehicle to go home. If it is not possible to use private transport, then they should be advised to return home quickly and directly. If using public transport, they should try to keep away from other people, wear a face covering and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue.”

 

Cleaning Protocols: Self-Caterers Welcome Clarity on COVID-19 Restrictions

Posted on by Melanie Allen

Self-Caterers Welcome Clarity on COVID-19 Restrictions

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers has welcomed updated Scottish Government guidance on keeping guests safe during COVID-19.

By working proactively with policy-makers, the ASSC has clarified the self-catering sector’s approach to its cleaning protocols and specifically what operators should do if a guest tests positive while staying with them.

Included in the revamped safeguards will be compliance with new Public Health Scotland guidance for non-health and care settings, with updated guidance on physical distancing and face coverings, whether properties should be left fallow between guests and laundry and utensil care.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ASSC members have behaved in an exemplary way; adhering to all restrictions, often encountering heavy and lasting personal costs while doing so.

In welcoming these new, updated, measures it is the ASSC’s hope that they will provide the necessary room to manoeuvre for businesses across the sector and will allow for more guests to enjoy a safe break in some of the most beautiful parts of the country.

As the trade body representing Scotland’s vital self-catering sector, the ASSC will continue to work constructively with government, and all other stakeholders, to help the sector recover and to secure a positive future for the thousands of people who make their living by creating memory-making holidays, both for Scots and those who visit our country.

Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers Chief Executive, Fiona Campbell, said:

“All of us at the ASSC are delighted to have worked with the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, and Infection Prevention and Control to create these more streamlined, common sense, and flexible rules as we prepare to get back to business.

“It is our hope that this will be the start of a continued loosening of restrictions and provision of support that will help save our sector from the real danger it has faced throughout the pandemic.

“Our partners can be assured that the ASSC stands ready, willing, and able to help strike the right balance between the valued safety of our customers and the freedom to operate that our businesses need.”

Overview:

  • Operators should follow current Scottish Government guidance on issues such as physical distancing and face coverings
  • Properties that have been cleaned and disinfected in line with local policies should be available for immediate occupation, and there is no requirement for leaving properties fallow for 72 hours
  • Individual operators should decide on whether guests should strip the beds / laundry themselves. If operators/cleaners remove them (following protocols on good handling of linen, not shaking, PPE if required), then it could be argued that this may actually be more “controllable”
  • A common-sense approach should be taken to the washing of crockery/cutlery, based on what cleaners find when assessing property at changeover
  • Businesses should move towards a business as usual approach, including interaction with guests in line with current Scottish Government guidance
  • PHS does not recommend Steam/UV-C light/ULV fogging between guests as standard practice
  • A business as usual approach should be taken  in terms of laundry, (including what happens to linen with visible contamination) in line with local policy.

The industry should now be starting to revert to business as usual and following cleaning policies, protocols and procedures that would have previously (pre-pandemic) been in place.

What to do if a guest develops or arrives with COVID-19 symptoms

Operators should signpost to PHS non-healthcare settings guidance, which currently states:

If the affected person has mild symptoms they should go home as soon as they notice symptoms and follow the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection. Where possible they should minimise contact with others, e.g. use a private vehicle to go home. If it is not possible to use private transport, then they should be advised to return home quickly and directly. If using public transport, they should try to keep away from other people, wear a face covering and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue.”

ASSC Members can access the revised Cleaning Protocols Here