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COVID-19

COVID-19, caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, has hammered the lodging industry harder than any event ever before. Every element of a hotel’s operation has been impacted—from cleaning & maintenance to food and beverage. Many hotel companies are responding aggressively with revamped operations plans. What we all can agree on is that hotels may never be the same again. This area of Green Lodging News highlights the latest news and trends. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

COVID-19

Home COVID-19
COVID-19, caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, has hammered the lodging industry harder than any event ever before. Every element of a hotel’s operation has been impacted—from cleaning & maintenance to food and beverage. Many hotel companies are responding aggressively with revamped operations plans. What we all can agree on is that hotels may never be the same again. This area of Green Lodging News highlights the latest news and trends. Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Hyatt Debuts Path Forward, Focusing on Safety and Wellbeing

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corp. announced Hyatt’s path forward to welcome back guests and customers to Hyatt hotels, helping them once again experience the joy of travel. With a focus on safety first and wellbeing always, Hyatt is reimagining the hotel journey with new amenities and offerings and taking comprehensive steps to implement enhanced protocols that help colleagues feel comfortable and confident at work. As an extension of Hyatt’s recently announced Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, Hyatt is collaborating with medical experts from Cleveland Clinic among other trusted medical and industry advisors to fine-tune reopening and operating procedures such as colleague reorientations,...

10,000+ San Francisco Hotel Workers Unemployed

SAN FRANCISCO—More than 10,000 San Francisco hotel employees are out of work and nearly half of the city’s hotels are closed representing more than half of all guestrooms, according to state data compiled through July 31 as San Francisco remains one of only four California counties not allowing hotels to reopen, the Hotel Council of San Francisco announced today. The 10,899 employees furloughed, temporarily laid off and, increasingly, permanently laid off, represent 44 percent of San Francisco’s 25,000 hotel workers while the 92 closed hotels represent 42 percent of the city’s 215 hotels. The data was compiled by the California...

EPA Approves 13 Products from List N as Effective Against SARS-CoV-2

LENEXA, KAN.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 13 products on List N, EPA’s list of products expected to kill SARS-CoV-2, have completed laboratory testing for use specifically against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. “As part of President Trump’s all-of-government approach to fighting the spread of COVID-19, EPA is continuing its efforts to approve products that have specifically been tested against SARS-CoV-2,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Each of these products already appears on the agency’s list of approved disinfectants—this additional step provides critical scientific data and information on the tools that the American public are relying...

Company Shares Six Ways the Pandemic is Transforming Restroom Design

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—The global pandemic of Covid-19 is fast tracking infection control technologies and products in public restrooms. “While cleanliness has always been a goal in designing restrooms, coronavirus has underscored the need for hygienic, sterile and safe environments,” said Jon Dommisse, Director of Strategy and Corporate Development, Bradley Corp., a global manufacturer of restroom equipment. Companies, educational institutions and municipalities are all now evaluating new procedures and products for their restroom facilities. “Businesses are looking at short-term and long-term fixes for operating safely,” said Michelle Kempen WRID, WELL AP, ASID, with Kahler Slater, a Milwaukee-based architectural firm. “The goal is to...

LG Expands Suite of Health Protocol Solutions

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILL.—As businesses around the country reopen amid the ongoing pandemic, LG Business Solutions USA has expanded its suite of Health Protocol Solutions, introducing new digital signage packages that give businesses eye-catching platforms to provide information, guidance, wayfinding and interactive experiences. Digital signage display leader LG partnered with other technology leaders to offer an array of new options including wellness kiosks, occupancy management systems, portable battery-operated solutions, and even contact-less interactive digital signage displays. “Digital signage solutions are enabling businesses to be flexible and accommodating while the nation responds to changing public health guidance and varying in-store regulations,” said Dan...

Ecolab Launches Science Certified Program

PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, food safety and infection prevention solutions and services, launched the Ecolab Science Certified Program. Using a comprehensive, science-based approach, Ecolab Science Certified combines advanced chemistry with new public health training and audit verification to deliver a high standard of cleanliness for public health and food safety required due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ecolab Science Certified Program strengthens consumer confidence by: Creating clean through hospital-grade disinfecting products, food-contact cleaning and sanitizing products, solutions that address the most common sources of infection transmission, and elevated hygiene standards and protocols informed by the Centers for...

The Importance of Reasonable Care in the Purchase & Placement of Sanitizer

The wrong lists keep getting longer—the list of hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol but have tested positive for methanol contamination, and the list of accidental poisonings attributed to hand sanitizer. The Federal Drug Administration’s list of improperly labeled hand sanitizer was up to 94 entries as of this writing. Every entry I saw on the list was made in Mexico. I am not aware of any improperly labeled sanitizer being sold to hotels but please be careful about what you buy and where you buy it. Some of the improperly labeled sanitizer was sold at Walmart...

Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos Implements SAFE + SOUND Program

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—Hard Rock International announced the implementation of a new health and safety plan for Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, as locations begin to reopen worldwide in compliance with global, national, and local health officials. Hard Rock Hotels globally have implemented SAFE + SOUND, a new program developed by a team of hospitality and gaming experts in collaboration with worldwide health and sanitization specialists, including Ecolab and NSF International, formerly known as the National Sanitation Foundation, to help keep guests and team members safe and healthy. Under the new SAFE + SOUND standards established by Hard Rock, each hotel...

UMF Corp. Partners with Universal Fiber Systems

SKOKIE, ILL.—UMF Corp., which researches and develops high-performance products, programs and training for infection prevention and commercial cleaning, announced its partnership with Universal Fiber Systems, a leading U.S. manufacturer of synthetic filament-based and specialty fibers. UMF will provide its patented antimicrobial, rechargeable Micrillon chemistry to Universal for incorporation into two high performance fibers. The first, a super-fine sheath and core fiber, will be produced and utilized in a new, unique product requested by leading companies in the hotel industry. The second, a splittable, bicomponent filament, commonly referred to as microfiber or segmented pie filaments, is also in production. These...

Indiesigns Launches Covid-19 Signage Designed by Independent Artists

NEW YORK—Indiesigns has launched an initiative to have independent artists produce COVID-19 signage with a positive and design-forward aesthetic. Its goal is to help businesses reopen safely without compromising on design. The launch is a new product pivot from Indiewalls, a corporate art consultancy whose business was drastically impacted by the economic shutdown. The Indiesigns products help businesses reopen, keep the public safe, and support artists who have suffered loss of work as a result of the pandemic. The signage follows specific guidelines by the CDC, but puts visual design front and center. The company believes that design-forward signage will not...