The AA has announced the launch of a new Covid Confident accreditation scheme to help consumers travel again as the hospitality sector prepares to come out of lockdown.
The AA Covid Confident assessment scheme is free to all hotels, restaurants, B&Bs, pubs, self-catering properties, campsites, holiday parks and other accommodation, although applicants are encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action.
Properties do not need to hold an AA Star rating or Rosette to apply but establishments serving food need to hold a food hygiene score of three and above to be eligible.
The AA state that “accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessment, safety measures and staff training to reopen safely, in line with the UK’s respective government guidelines as well as UKHospitality and respective trade association guidelines, as they are published.”
Establishments will need to supply a risk assessment and evidence that procedures are in place and staff have been trained when they apply online. Businesses will also have to sign up to a code of conduct that includes a commitment to update procedures as guidelines change, called the Covid Confident Charter.
Industry bodies supporting the AA Covid Confident scheme include ASAP, Association of Serviced Apartment Providers, ASSC, Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers, B&B Association, Glamping Association, HOSPA, The Hospitality Professionals Association, Hospitality Action, Hotel Marketing Association, Pride of Britain Hotels and the Wales Tourism Alliance.
Mark Lewis, chief executive at Hospitality Action said: “As hotels, restaurants, pub and bars prepare to open their doors again in the coming weeks, there will inevitably be uncertainty, both among staff members and customers guests, around the levels of safety in hospitality environments. We therefore applaud AA Hospitality for creating an industry-standard accreditation scheme that offers the reassurance that workers and visitors can return to venues with confidence.”
Visit www.ratedtrips.com/aa-covid-confident for more details of how to apply.
