COVID-19 is a challenge to both our lives and livelihoods. The crisis is unprecedented and quickly changing. COVID-19 has had an adverse impact across the globe, and the hotel industry is among the hardest hit.
Is it Safe to stay in a hotel/Airbnb?
The weather is getting warmer across the country and pandemic-fatigued as we are, are itching to get out of the house but is it really safe to stay in a hotel or Airbnb right now?
The answer depends on the precautions you take before, during and after your stay.
Many hotels are bolstering their cleaning protocols in the hopes of welcoming back travellers. The industry is geared with new plans to adapt to the new pandemic standards.
The ‘new normal’ of cleanliness in Hotels/Airbnb:
Cleaning has traditionally been behind-the-scenes for hotels, however with the need to ensure areas are properly sanitized, it has now become centre stage. It is imperative for hotels to prepare themselves for the new operational reality in line with federal, state, local laws on one hand and consumer concerns for staying in a clean and safe space.
To win the customers’ trust and loyalty, hotels need to create a plan for cleanliness keeping the ‘new normal’ in mind.
The 5 step plan hotels can adapt to ensure cleanliness are:
1-Disinfection of touch points in the room such as faucets, tables, desks, door handles, television remote controls (one of the dirtiest items in a room!) etc
2- Cleaning of touch points in common areas such as elevator buttons, counters in the reception areas, bathrooms, etc
3- All employees should wear masks and practice hand washing with soap.
4- Encourage social distancing within the public areas of the hotel
5- Clean the air – Install hospital-grade, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that are almost 99% effective in capturing tiny virus particles, including the particles of the virus that causes COVID-19.
If you are booking a stay, what are some things you can do to protect yourself?
1-Don't be afraid to ask the hotel what they're doing to keep everything clean- Before booking a room, inquire about the hotel’s cleaning and social distancing protocols.
2-Bring disinfectant wipes to use on all common touch surfaces.
3-If there are shared hallways –use face masks and physical distancing
4-Ensure the air you are breathing in is free of virus, chemicals, smoke and Dust mites-Ask the hotels if they are using an Air Purifier with a carbon filter and HEPA filter.
Why is an Air Purifier important in a hotel?
In hotels, there are often four main contributors to poor air quality-bacteria/virus, mold, dust-mites and lingering tobacco smoke smell in the hotel rooms. These silent enemies can cause significant problems to guests.
There are other causes of poor indoor air quality in hotels, including chemical cleaners and fumes from paint and building materials.
A big issue these days with buildings is poor ventilation. In some cases you cannot open the windows so the only air you get is from the air conditioning system. If the HVAC system is not blowing clean, fresh air into your room, the air quality will be poor.
The best amenity that any hotel can provide is clean air.
Recent research has proved that virus spread is not only from surface contact but also happens through airborne transmission. It has been found that the tiny aerosol particles of SARS-CoV-2 that are emitted when someone with the virus speaks or breathes can remain in the air for up to 16 hours.
Along with social distancing and masks, it’s also important to have an air purifier with a large medical grade HEPA filter for removal pathogens and particulate matter.
Best Air purifier for removal of Bacteria/viruses:
Airborne and aerosolized viruses, bacteria, mold, chemicals and particles go through powerful filtration for near complete removal. Airpura's patented UV air purifiers destroy the DNA of microorganisms such as viruses, influenza and gastro as well as black mold, effectively neutralizing them. Airpura's 18 lbs of custom blended activated carbon adsorbs chemicals, VOC's, gases, and odors. A medical grade True HEPA filter provides powerful particle reduction of 99.97% of particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns including PM2.5, pollen, dust, dander. https://www.airpura.com/collections/health/products/uv600-germs-and-mold
Best Air purifier for removal of Chemicals, and Tobacco smoke:
T600/T600DLX
Purifiers that feature a 3-stage filtration system designed to absorb the odours and thousands of chemicals and dangerous carcinogens released from tobacco smoke. Airpura's 26 lbs of custom blended activated carbon adsorbs the gases, chemicals and odors that are released during smoking while a unique tar barrier adsorbs the dangerous tars and finally, a robust HEPA barrier removes 99.97% of particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns. https://www.airpura.com/pages/air-purifiers-for-tobacco
Read studies here: https://www.airpura.com/pages/research-and-studies
HOSPITALITY INSTITUTIONS AND HOTELS THAT HAVE TRUSTED US WITH THEIR AIR FILTRATION
Airpura is pleased to have been deployed in hundreds of hotels around the world. Here are just some of the institutions that have trusted Airpura with their air filtration needs.
Four Seasons Hotels
St. Regis Hotels
Intercontinental NY Times Hotel, NY
Hotel de Vieux-Quebec, Quebec, Canada
Four Season Hotel and Residences at the Surf Club, FL
The Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, CO
The Bowery Hotel, NY
Ports Hotel, Mississauga, ON
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville, TN
Riverside Tower Hotel, NY
The Refinery Hotel Rooftop, NY
St. Regis Hotels
Clift Hotel, San Francisco, CA
Elm Court Hotel, Brockton, MA
Palace Hotels