Technological solutions in hotels will help reduce the working hours and increase the efficiency - Thakur

For hoteliers the well-being and health of guests and staff are of the utmost importance. And even more so at the time of a pandemic. Housekeeping may seem as a very simple task involving changing the bedding and bringing fresh towels to many. But as hotels begin to reopen, it is the housekeeping department which is ensuring that all the renewed safety standards are being implemented to win the confidence of the guests. It would be an understatement to say that housekeepers are the real Covid19 warriors.

1. How will you ensure frequent sanitisation along with social distancing and guests’ requirement for privacy?

The safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is of the utmost importance to us, and we want everyone to be rest assured that they are in safe hands. At Lemon Tree Hotels we are maintaining best-in-class hygiene standards, as per our Rest Assured initiative in partnership with Diversey - a global leader in the space of cleanliness and hygiene standards. This program creates an environment focused on health, hygiene, safety and wellbeing of people. Under this initiative, Lemon Tree has also executed a new set of House Rules to be followed by guests, visitors and team members to maximize safety and hygiene. Diversey is providing us with US EPA approved safe chemicals, operating checklists, training support, videos and support materials to add to our own repertoire of processes and procedures, and will be conducting regular reviews in all properties, as part of this association. 

2. How much has the role of technology increased in housekeeping?

Advanced technological solutions in the hotel sector help reduce the number of working hours and increase the efficiency of team members. For instance, the latest robotic vacuum cleaners help in deep cleaning of rooms in a very short span as compared to manual cleaning.

 3. What are the new strategies adopted to ensure stricter hygiene?

As mentioned earlier, the strategies have been defined by our Rest Assured initiative in partnership with Diversey.

 4. How are you planning to ensure the routine cleaning of blinds, carpets, towels etc in the post Covid19 safety standard?

For routine cleaning of blinds, we are using OXIVIR FIVE 16. During the pandemic, we have removed small carpets/rugs from all guest rooms and public spaces. For wall to wall carpet cleaning, we are vacuuming and then spraying OXIVAR FIVE 16. Guest room towels are being washed with Diversey laundry chemicals at 60 to 90 Celsius temperature, as per government guidelines.

5. Visuals of cleaning were not a routine sight for the guests earlier, how will the same be done now? 

From the time a guest enters the hotel, he will see our team members in masks and gloves, and he will go through a temperature check on arrival. Sanitizer has been placed at prominent public area locations for guests to use. A tissue box has been placed next to all lift landings to use while pressing the elevator buttons. All rooms have a door knob card that carries the Rest Assured seal which signifies that the room has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized as per the new process. In hotels where we are hosting quarantine guests the team members who visit the floor go appropriately dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE), as advised by the government. Lastly, all team members have been trained not to enter the room when the guest is present in the room.

6.  How will the high touch areas be dealt with? 

All high touch points have been identified and standard operating procedures have been set for regular cleaning and sanitization. All common areas including lobby, elevators, washrooms, staircases, etc. are sanitized every 30 minutes with chemicals provided by Diversey to ensure maximum hygiene. This includes elevator doors, buttons, staircase doors, door handles, luggage carts, common washrooms, sink faucets, etc.