During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to keep health and safety in mind. We’ve created a set of mandatory COVID-19 safety practices for all guests of Holidays Wales, based on guidance from the World Health Organization. In addition, you should be familiar with general health and safety guidelines for COVID-19 safety, continue to monitor applicable government travel restrictions and advisories, and follow all national and local guidelines.

On the 22nd of February, Boris Johnson announced a four-step plan to ease England’s lock-down. He stated that by the 12th April we will see major parts of the economy permitted to reopen – which includes Self-Contained holiday accommodation, and from the 17th of May, households are able to mix.

Mark Drakeford, the Welsh First Minister, stated on the 19th February, that he is executing a ‘gradual plan’ out of lock-down, and announced that some self-catering accommodation can reopen from 15th March, in time for Easter.

We have introduced guidelines and programmes to help address health and safety concerns, but these measures cannot eliminate all risk. Especially if you’re in a higher risk category (e.g. people above the age of 65 or people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease), we recommend obtaining professional guidance and taking extra precautions when you are making the decision to book a stay or an experience with Holidays Wales. 

COVID-19 Safety Practices in Place.

1. Removed all non-essential items from our properties (All games and throws)
2. Hand Sanitisers available by each door to each property. 
3. Track and Trace QR Codes displayed for each guest to Check-In when arriving at each property. 
4. Maintaining a distance of 2 meters (6 feet) from staff and guests at all times.
5. If a local/National lock-down is to occur, or you have tested positive for Coronavirus, guests are required to contact Holidays Wales via email/phone call as soon as possible, to rearrange the booking date / arrange gift vouchers / refund (minus booking fee).

Cleaning Practices in Place for each Property.

1. Preparation.
   1. Each property is prepared for cleaning to ensure an efficient and safe visit.
   2. Disinfectant used is approved by local regulatory agencies for use against Covid-19.
   3. Washing and/or disinfecting hands whilst cleaning each property.
2. Cleaning.
   1. Wiping down hard surfaces with hot soap and water.
   2. Washing all dishes and laundry at the highest heat possible.
   3. Sweeping and vacuuming dust before sanitising.
   4. Mopping areas before sanitising.
3. Sanitise.
   1. Sanitising and spraying touch points of each room with disinfectant spray approved by  local regulatory agencies.
   2. Following the instructions on the product labels to ensure reduction in the number of bacteria on surfaces and touch points. 
   3. Allowing surfaces to air-dry.
4. Finishing Touches
   1. To prevent cross-contamination, after each property, hands are washed and sanitised.
   2. All gloves, cleaning supplies and equipment are safely disposed of.
   3. Rooms are not re-entered after it has been sanitised.
5. Checking.
   1. Every property has a cleaning checklist to ensure best cleaning practice is achieved.
   2. Checklist approved by management. 

Additional Guidance for Travelling and Hosting during Covid-19

Don’t travel if you’ve recently been exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19

To protect the health and safety of our community, it is our policy at Holidays Wales to ensure that guest should not check-in to our properties if any of the following statements are true: 

• You are actively infected or have tested positive with COVID-19 in the past 30 days
• You suspect you are sick or have been exposed and are awaiting test results to confirm or deny a diagnosis of COVID-19
• You are showing symptoms or are concerned about possible infection of COVID-19
• You’ve had close, sustained contact with an individual confirmed or suspected to be infected with COVID-19 within the last 14 days

Legal Requirements

The Coronavirus Regulations require that all those responsible for regulated premises that are open to the public, or where work takes place, take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 on the premises, and to reduce the risk of those who have been on the premises spreading the virus.

The Coronavirus Regulations enable the Welsh Government to issue guidance notes on what is expected of all those responsible for premises that are open to the public, or where work takes place. The following guidance notes have been issued under the regulations to which you must have regard:

• Guidance for premises open to the public and where work takes place
• Keeping records of staff customers and visitors
• Face coverings

For the purposes of this document, these guidance notes are referred to collectively as the “statutory guidance”. Regard must be had to the statutory guidance, and to any guidance, codes of practice or other documents published by other bodies that are incorporated into the statutory guidance.