On June 5, 2020, CAL-OSHA released non-exhaustive guidelines for reopening hotels, lodging, and short-term rentals. Reopening processes should begin no sooner than June 12, 2020, subject to local county health officer approval. Properties with large meeting venues, banquet halls, or convention centers are advised to keep those areas closed until further approval. Property managers and other rental unit owners and operators must only rent unoccupied units and cannot rent rooms or spaces within an occupied residence at this time.

It is critical that employers have a worksite specific plan in place not only to prevent infection but also to identify potential cases of COVID-19 in order to intervene and halt the spread of the virus quickly. CAL-OSHA offers a broad range of recommendations:

1. Train employees on the proper use of face coverings and ensure they are being worn when they are on the property and during the temperature screening prior to an employee’s shift.
2. Allow employees to perform their own temperature checks at home.
3. Provide PPE rather than requiring employees to provide their own.
4. Prohibit employees from sharing PPE.
5. Service rooms only when guests are not present.
6. Allow more time for attendants to clean rooms without any loss of pay to account for the additional necessary steps to clean and disinfect.
7. Perform baggage deliveries when guests are not in their rooms, whenever possible.
8. Circulate air within guest rooms and throughout the property as much as possible via open windows or air filtration fans.
9. Screen guests upon arrival and ask them to wear a face covering. Face coverings should be provided to guests who arrive without one.
10. Use vacuums equipped with HEPA filters rather than brooms.
11. Avoid sharing phones, tablets, and other work equipment when possible. Thoroughly disinfect the front desk and any handheld devices provided to employees for their shift.
12. Equip workstations and help counters with hand sanitizer.
13. Remove reusable informational items from guest rooms such as magazines, menus, coupons, etc. Critical information should be electronically posted.
14. Leave rooms unoccupied for 24-72 hours between guest stays.
15. Close break rooms if employees are unable to socially distance.
16. Stagger employee arrival times and breaks to minimize traffic volume.
17. Require employees to avoid physical touching, such as handshakes, hugs, etc.
18. Limit the number of individuals riding in an elevator using signage.
19. Keep saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs closed.
20. Follow the CDC’s additional guidelines for visitor use of swimming pools.

Stokes Wagner will continue to monitor changes to COVID-19 public health guidance and keep you updated on the developments. For a printable PDF of this article, click here.

THIS DOCUMENT PROVIDES A GENERAL SUMMARY AND IS FOR INFORMATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT WITH COUNSEL BEFORE TAKING OR REFRAINING FROM TAKING ANY ACTION.