Businesses get a reminder that guidance must be followed when tourism restarts
Highland Council’s environmental health team is reminding businesses in the tourism sector that they must follow all advice and guidance as they make arrangements to reopen.
With lockdown measures easing, Scotland’s tourism and hospitality sector is preparing to reopen on July 15. From today, providers of self-catering accommodation which does not have shared facilities or communal areas can let that accommodation, provided it is to a single household.
The council’s head of environmental health, Alan Yates, said: “To support the tourist industry to safely reopen and promote sensible staycations, the Scottish Government has produced sector-specific guidance for businesses and their customers.
"This guidance is regularly updated and contains the most up-to-date information and links to other industry guidance. Our team are contacting Highland businesses to make sure they are aware of the latest information to enable them to reopen safely.”
The guidance sets out the key measures that will need to be taken to allow safe and responsible reopening, including:
- Establishing physical distancing taking account of organisational capacity, access management, signage and markings
- Enhanced hand-hygiene measures and cleaning practice
- Advice on workforce planning, including training and equality issues
- Guidance for customers to ensure they know how to plan ahead, act responsibly and engage safely with the tourism and hospitality sector and communities.
There are separate guidance documents from the Scottish Government for the tourism and hospitality sector and for retail, tourism and hospitality customers.
Highland Council has also produced a business guide for shops and businesses to help them with their plans to welcome back customers safely. Supporting economic recovery in Highland – A guide for businesses contains information, advice and support for all types of businesses likely to experience an upsurge in visitor numbers as lockdown restrictions are eased.
