Supporting the Tourism Industry
3rd July 2020
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team are reminding businesses in the tourism sector, who are busy making arrangements to reopen, to make sure they follow all advice and guidance.
As we move out of lockdown Scotland's tourism and hospitality sector is preparing to fully reopen on 15 July. From the 3rd of July providers of self-catering accommodation which do not have shared facilities or communal areas can let that accommodation, provided that let is to a single household.
The Highland 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 and;
guidance for customers to ensure they know how to plan ahead, act responsibly and engage safely with the tourism and hospitality sector and local communities.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-tourism-and-hospitality-sector-guidance/
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-consumers/pages/tourism-and-hospitality/
The Highland Council has produced a Highland Business Guide for shops and businesses to assist them with their plans to safely welcome back customers.
Supporting Economic Recovery in Highland - A Guide for Businesses contains lots of information, advice and support for all types of businesses likely to experience an upsurge in visitor numbers as lockdown restrictions are eased.
It also includes information on the need for businesses to ensure that their Health and Safety Risk Assessments and Food Safety Management Systems are reviewed and updated to include physical distancing, queue control, protection of staff, supervision and public space layout and markings.
The Guide is available here https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/22620/supporting_economic_recovery_in_highland_-_a_guide_for_businesses
Alan added: "Our team are here to help so if any businesses have any queries or need any further information they can contact us by e-mailing envhealth@highland.gov.uk
The Highland Council Convener, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “Tourism plays a vital role in our economy and I know businesses are working very hard to be able to welcome back visitors safely.
“The health, safety and well-being of all staff, visitors and our local communities are paramount, and everyone must do their upmost to make sure rules are followed. I urge everyone working in tourism and hospitality to make themselves familiar with the most up-to-date Scottish Government guidance if they have not already done so. I also encourage people to read the Highland Guide we have produced and to contact our Environmental Health team with any queries. In this way when we see the inevitable return of visitors to our communities we will be happy to welcome them safely back amongst us."
