Safe Stay During Covid

Natasha Morgan, Co-Founder of SafeStay, shares her tips to ensure that your next getaway is safe, clean and secure.

Most of us are starting to feel that pull towards travel and exploring again as local travel restrictions are being lifted and we look to start planning those mini local staycations and holidays.

Now is a great time to start planning your next holiday, you won't only be supporting small businesses and regional communities; you will be doing yourself a favour by having a getaway to look forward to.

If your looking to stay clear of crowds then short stay accommodation is the best stay for your next trip. To kick off your post COVID travel inspiration and planning, here's some great getaway tips, so you can enjoy a Clean, Safe and Secure short-term stay when you travel.

1. 'New COVID Clean' Industry Standards & Guidelines
Ask your accommodation provider to provide proof that they are meeting the 'New COVID Clean' standards which focuses on high level cleanliness and disinfection. Make sure they are using superior cleaning products with a greater concentration of bacteria-killing ingredients.

'New COVID Clean' standards are paying attention to areas like door handles, light switches, taps, and toilet flush buttons and TV remotes.

SafeStay Australia has a 'New COVID Clean Checklist 'for certified safe properties, that works in conjunction with the global health organizations health and safety standards.

2. Extra towels and linens
It should go without saying linens and towels should always be of a high hygiene standard, and post COVID it should come as no surprise to ask for extra. Ask for them to leave extra face and hand towels out for you. The less you have to share, the less likely they'll be a spread of germs.

3. Regular Cleans for longer stays
For mid to longer stays, ask if you can have an extra clean made available for a fee to allow cleaning to take place on a regular basis. Having this service available to you will help to build trust and confidence, so you and your family feel safe and have added peace of mind.

4. Sanitizers and Soaps at your disposal
Make sure your accommodation ticks all the cleaning boxes and is proving sanitizers and soaps. Frequent hand-washing is a good way to help curb the spread of COVID-19. To help you achieve that high level of cleanliness on your holiday, be sure that the accommodation host provides you the guest with these thoughtful amenities.

5. Complete a survey or give feedback when you leave
For extra protection for future guests, it wouldn't hurt to complete a survey or give feed back to your host when you depart. By all working together and giving feedback your accommodation provider can make sure they're going above and beyond for their future guests and if you choose to become a return stay.

6. Is the property certified as safe?

Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, safety switch checks, corded window coverings, first aid kits, fire extinguisher and blankets, pool fencing certifications are just a few safety elements properties owners should be making sure are up to standard to protect your safety. Making sure a property is compliant can seem like a big task, a SafeStay Certification Checklist can assist with this and is available through SafeStay. You can't put a value on the safety of a life and you the guest asking for these standards to be met is the ''New Way Forward' for guest safety.

7. Exposing Safety Hazards
Does the short-term rental have a pool, spa, dam or lake? Trip hazards present? Do the stairs have secure hand railings? You're a guest and you deserve complete transparency from the accommodation provider when you're looking to make a booking. Ask if the property is safe for children, disability friendly and can host an elderly citizen.

8. Follow the rules
If you're out exploring the scenery and what the local community has to offer, like cafes, restaurants and shops take special precautions to assist the shops owners with following the social distancing rules. If we all do the right thing, travel will become that deserved and enjoyable escape from home