Updated Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties and Short-Term Lets

PHS have had the opportunity to review the Cleaning Protocols and Sectoral Guidance for Self-Catering Properties in light of the stage we are at in the pandemic, alongside colleagues from Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection Scotland (ARHAI).

“In response to an earlier request to review these protocols (July 2021), we noted the excellent work done by ASSC in producing such thorough guidance for their members to ensure that they could restart business as safely as possible.  At that time, we also advised on a number of relaxations that we felt could be made to the protocols, based on changes to government and PHS guidance, as well as the progression of the pandemic. 

“We now feel that we are at a point where businesses should not simply return to pre-pandemic practices, i.e. business as usual, but should aim to build back better based on our increased awareness of good infection prevention and control practices.  The pandemic has highlighted the importance of many of the mitigations that were put in place for COVID-19.  These mitigations, however, have also shown to be successful in reducing the risk of other health outcomes during the pandemic and we feel that these should continue to be highlighted as best practice as we move forward.”

Advice is, therefore, to “build back better” by embedding some key principles into practices, and by referring to PHS’s COVID-19 information and guidance for workplaces and community settings.  

Emphasised measures should include (but needn’t be limited to):

  • Ensuring that there is a cleaning protocol in place for their properties, detailed with responsibilities assigned
  • Ensuring that frequently touched surfaces and sanitary areas are cleaned regularly (where buckets of water are used for cleaning/mopping, ensuring that these are changed regularly and always after cleaning sanitary areas)
  • Ensuring the use of products in line with manufacturer’s instructions
  • Ensuring maximisation of ventilation of properties – also encouraging the same from guests during their stay and upon departure where safe to do so
  • Encouraging good hand hygiene by staff, as well as continuing with the provision of hand hygiene products for customers

All of these measures are already highlighted within the existing protocols so should already be familiar to hosts and operators.

Cleaning Protocols

Download the Cleaning-Protocols: 2022 Cleaning Protocols V1

Download a word copy of a Risk Assessment form: Risk-Assessment 2022

Download a word copy of a Cleaning Checklist: Self-Catering-Cleaning-Checklist

If someone develops symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, while on site

The symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections are very similar. It is not possible to tell if an individual has COVID-19, flu or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone.

Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:

  • continuous cough
  • high temperature, fever or chills
  • loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
  • shortness of breath
  • unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
  • muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
  • not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
  • headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
  • sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
  • diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick

Further information is available via NHS inform.

Guests should inform you immediately if they develop symptoms of Covid-19 or any other respiratory illness while staying at your property.

While the individual is on the premises, the general measures to prevent spread should be followed. The affected person should return home as soon as they notice symptoms, following the latest NHS inform guidance.

Advice on cleaning of areas after an individual with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, or a positive COVID-19 test result has left a workplace or community setting is set out in Section 3.4.

If required, NHS Board Health Protection Teams can be approached for additional advice. They may also make the decision to engage in the handling of any individual cases, clusters, or outbreaks at their discretion, if they perceive a risk to public health.

In the event of an outbreak, people on the Highest Risk List should follow any individual advice they have been given by their clinician

See PHS guidance -paragraphs – 2.3 – 2.5: COVID-19 information and guidance for workplaces and community settings (publichealthscotland.scot)

Disclaimer: The content of the cleaning protocols is based on guidance from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), WHO (World Health Organisation), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), and Centres for Disease Control (CDC), NIH (National Institutes of Health), NHS (National Health Service). These agencies do not endorse this content. This is guidance only, and we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to this content provided for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

 

Covid-19 Symptoms: New Guidance

From 1 May 2022, anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or any symptoms of other respiratory infections will be advised just to stay at home if ill, most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test.

Previous guidance on self-isolation has now been withdrawn.  The nhsinform.scot website has been updated as follows:

From 1 May, most people no longer need to take a coronavirus test and should follow guidance on staying at home if unwell.

Stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you:

  • have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as coronavirus
  • have a high temperature
  • do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities

Do this until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you feel better.

Work from home if you can. If you can’t work from home, talk to your employer about your options.

Avoid close contact with anyone who is at higher risk, especially individuals with a weakened immune system.

If you’ve been asked to attend a medical or dental appointment in person, tell them about your symptoms.

You may wish to ask friends, family or neighbours to get food and other essentials for you.

You should tell people you have recently been in contact with that you’re feeling unwell. This means they can be aware of signs or symptoms.

Please see Coronavirus (COVID-19) | NHS inform for full details.

Scotland’s Census: Deadline Extended to 31st May 2022

UPDATE: The deadline for submitting Scottish census returns has been extended by a month to the end after a record number of householders failed to complete their forms or delayed sending them in.

People who have not yet filled in their census are reminded it is their legal responsibility to do so and are being encouraged to get help if they need it.

Scotlands Census 2022 – Stakeholder Newsletter – 29 April 2022

The deadline for completing the census is now 31st May 2022.

 

Please find below some links to the guidance, specifically highlighting the questions and scenarios which could relate to a Self-Catering property.

This guidance is the only information we have at this point which has been issued by the Scottish Government.

Everyone staying at your address must be included in your questionnaire.

More guidance is available to help to decide whether to include someone as usually living at your address or visiting or staying on the night of 20 March 2022.

There are various Scenarios listed:

Check out the full guidance for H4 on Census.gov.scot website HERE

(PLEASE NOTE: You will need to scroll down the page to see all of the scenarios for answering this question in full)

What is the census?

Discover what the census is, what it asks and how the information it collects helps Scotland.

More about the Census

Complete the Census Here