The AA has launched a new Covid Confident accreditation scheme to highlight hospitality businesses meeting coronavirus safety guidelines and to reassure consumers.
The AA Covid Confident accreditation will signpost businesses that have put in place risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines.
instilling Consumer confidence
The accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessment, safety measures and staff training to reopen safely, in line with the UK’s respective government guidelines as well as UKHospitality and respective trade association guidelines, as they are published.
Who is this scheme for?
Who is this for?
The scheme is open to all hotels; B&Bs, guest accommodation, restaurants with rooms and pubs with rooms; self-catering properties; camping, glamping and holiday parks; hostels; serviced apartments; visitor attractions; restaurants; pubs; and golf courses.
Backed by Industry
It has been been given the backing of 20 industry bodies including Master Innholders, HOSPA, Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association, PASC, ASSC and the Tourism Alliance.
Simon Numphud, managing director of AA Media, said: “At the AA we are committed to supporting our colleagues across the industry as we work together to rebuild consumer confidence. We believe that many members of the public will be looking to enjoy days out, short breaks, eating out and other experiences as lockdown eases, but that confidence in the sector is vital. We hope that the Covid Confident scheme will be a valuable stepping stone for establishments to restore consumer confidence as lockdown eases.”
Kurt Jansen, director of the Tourism Alliance, added: “We need to restart the domestic tourism industry in order to protect local jobs and businesses in tourism destinations. This scheme does that by ensuring that every property is safe so that visitors can relax and have a well-earned break in a secure environment.”
The scheme, which is open to all hospitality businesses, is free to sign up, although applicants are encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action.
Get your accreditation
Applicants can apply here where they will be asked to supply a risk assessment, evidence that procedures and measures are in place and staff training has taken place, as well as a self-assessment and commitment to a code of conduct.
Venues can apply via ratedtrips.com/aa-covid-confident and must meet the AA’s criteria, including:
- Supplying a risk assessment
- Being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place
- Completion of an online self-assessment and sign up to the Covid Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required
The AA will provide all those awarded a COVID Confident mark with regular updates on the latest Government, Health & Safety Executive, and best practice guidelines.
