Our Response to COVID-19

The Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association has a reputation for hospitality above and beyond the standards set by other accommodations.  With the advent of COVID-19, we have developed enhanced standards for safety and cleanliness with guidance from public health authorities including the CDC.

Key Initiatives

In accordance with Phase 3 Buncombe County Stay Safe Stay Smart Order, we adopt these 3 principles to protect our guests and employees.

• Wash Your Hands or Use Hand Sanitizer
• Stay 6 feet away from Others
• Wear a Cloth Face Covering
• A face covering is required in all public indoor settings if there are non-household members present, regardless of distance away.
  A face covering is required in all public outdoor settings if individuals are unable to maintain six feet of social distance from non-household members.
  In restaurants, guests are required to wear face coverings at their table unless actively eating or drinking.

The Health of Guests and Employees

Frequent washing hands with soap and water is required of employees and encouraged of guests.

• Employees shall wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching the face, cleaning, smoking, eating, drinking, accepting items from a guest, taking a break, and before a shift and as needed throughout the shift per CDC guidelines.
• In the absence of sinks, hand sanitizer with no less than 60% alcohol content should be widely and readily available to staff and guests including at breakfast service.
• All employees shall be provided with appropriate PPE for their use while on property.  Training shall be conducted including proper use and disposal of PPE.

Staff shall rapidly address any presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and report to local health officials to contain community spread.

• Employees exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 shall remain or return home. While at work, employees who notice a coworker or guest exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 shall immediately contact a manager who will follow CDC recommendations.
• Well-being checks of employees should be conducted daily at the beginning of each shift.
• If you are sick, please stay home.

Cleanliness

All properties will follow CDC guidelines “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility” including the use of EPA-approved disinfectants.

• Public spaces should be cleaned and disinfected frequently including high touch surfaces such as desks, door handles, stair rails, and elevator buttons.
• Guest rooms should be cleaned and disinfected between guest stays.  Particular attention should be paid to high touch surfaces such as light switches, door handles, remote controls, alarms clocks, etc.
• Each property should convey their daily housekeeping schedule to guests.
• Linens and towels should be laundered at the warmest water setting and dried thoroughly per manufacturer’s instructions.  Dirty laundry should be handled such that excess contact is eliminated during transport.
• In the event of a presumptive or confirmed case of COVID-19, the guest room should be removed from service and quarantined until undergoing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting utilizing EPA approved products and CDC guidelines.

Physical Distancing

Guests and staff should all practice physical distancing per CDC guidelines, maintaining 6 feet of separation between themselves and others not in their party.

• Self check-in/out is preferred.  If guests prefer to meet the innkeeper, cloth face coverings are mandated.
• Contactless payment technologies should be employed
• Guests and staff should wear cloth face coverings and follow social distancing when using the common areas of the inn.

Food and Beverage

Breakfast service, as well as other dining options, should adapt to reduce in-person contact with guests.

• Arrangement of tables and seating should adhere to at least 6 feet of separation.
• Each property should convey its breakfast service options to guests.
• Staff should wear cloth face coverings while serving food as 6 feet minimum distance can not be maintained.
• Tables, trays, condiment holders, and all high touch areas should be disinfected between use and frequently throughout the day.
• Use single use/disposable linens.  If using cloth linens, launder and sanitize cloth linens after each guest.

Disclaimer

The Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association (ABBA) is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing the Asheville bed & breakfast industry.  ABBA has developed these guidelines, seeking voluntary participation by ABBA inns.  ABBA makes no warranties with respect to the ultimate effectiveness of the guidelines and assumes no responsibility for assuring compliance by any of the B&B with such guidelines.