Do you want to give confidence to your guest that he is completely safe in your serviced apartment? Alternately as a guest do you want to be confident that you are entering a safe Hotel / Service apartment?

then read on…

My Pain:

What are the details I need to take from guest before confirming the booking?

What do I explain my guest on the travel do’s & Dont’s?

How do I ensure my Service apartment is safe from COVID?

What if the guest develops symptoms?

My experience:

1. Booking Process:

Get following mandatory information from your guest:

• Age,
• Medical history any underlying co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, asthma.
• City of residence,
• Travel history past 2 months.

2. Travel Process:

State SOP: Refer State SOP, as every state has its own SOP for Domestic & International travelers, which also keeps updating very frequently. In our example I am taking Karnataka state SOP as of June 2020 for Business travelers.

• Traveller has to register 2 days before travel in Seva Sindhu Portal declaring Flight PNR no in case he is coming by train/air or vehicle details if by road.
• He/she should carry a COVID Negative report which should not be more than 2 days old. Should have a return ticket within a week of their arrival.
• Business travel needs to carry the proof of their business purpose.
• Mandatory download of Aarogya Setu App

Institutional or Home Quarantine is not enforced for business travelers.

3. Service Apartment entry Process:

Guest: Reduce all COVID entry possibilities with four touch points. Following are the safety precautions that every Serviced apartment needs to take.

• Check Temperature: Use Infrared Forehead Thermometer gun available Online. If the temperature is greater than 100.5-degree Fahrenheit (38 degree Celsius) then you have to stop the guest at entry.
• Sanitize Hands: Use local available alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer.
• Sanitize Footwear: Basically, Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach) diluted in water in 1:100 ratio meaning 1-part bleach & 100 parts normal water and spray using 5 litre agricultural spray Pump available online.
• Sanitize Luggage: Use the same diluted Sodium Hypochlorite in agriculture spray pump to spray on Luggage. However, exposure of Luggage in a Chamber with UV-C ultraviolet light for 2 minutes is most effective.

Non-Guest: Courier boy’s entry to be restricted beyond the entrance gate. Staff, Pest control person, Laundry person whenever they re-enter/enter service apartment ensure:

• Sanitize Hands:
• Sanitize Footwear:
• Sanitize essentials purchased:

4. Service Apartment Operations Process:

Rooms, Living area & Kitchen

• Replenishment of face mask & hand sanitizer in every room.
• Daily Cleaning: Spray the diluted Sodium Hypochlorite and wipe on all frequently used surfaces like door handles, Intercom handsets, appliances, remotes, Study table, electrical sockets, Staircase railings, elevator buttons, Dining table & chair, .
• Checkout cleaning: In addition to the daily cleaning, Clean window panes, cupboard, Doors and allow the next check in after 72 Hrs. Because research has shown that the Corona virus survives from 4hrs to 3 days on different surfaces depending on the material. For ex., on wooden surface the Corona virus can survive for 2 days, metal 3 days, Plastic 3 days, Cardboard 1day, Glass 3 days. Surprisingly copper just 4 hrs.
• Special attention to deep cleaning & Hygiene. Train manpower to follow above steps.
• First aid kit: keep it replenished

5. Guest Medical Support Process:

If guest develops symptoms. Consult doctor on phone, follow doctors advise.

If guest found positive at the hospital after doctors’ consultation, then guest rooms should be sealed immediately with “No Entry” signage. Then the corporation takes over the serviced apartment/Hotel, and gives directions as per the government SOP.

Invest in the following:

• Hand Sanitizer bottles
• Face mask
• Medical gloves
• 500 ml fine spray bottle for housekeeping boys
• Sodium Hypochlorite Solution (Bleach)
• Agricultural sprayer pump 5 Litres
• Infrared Forehead Thermometer gun

Investment for a 10 room inventory is Rs 10,000 one time, then Rs 5000 every month recurring.

My Conclusion:

I am an active team member of my apartment complex handling quarantine for all the domestic and international returnees. In our service apartment Bangalore building also I have applied the above process for the long-term corporate guest staying with us. I hope this info would be useful for all our partners who are handling Hotels or serviced apartments. This will also ensure that the customer revisits and help improve business. Do put your comment below.