29 October 2020 09:25

How safe is a self-catered getaway?

Here's why a self-catered getaway might be the answer...

The hospitality industry is working overtime to implement new safety standards to ensure the highest levels of protection for guests and staff. In the UK, this includes things like the AA's COVID Confident assessment scheme and Premier Cottages' pandemic guidelines, backed by organisations including UK Hospitality, VisitEngland, Visit Scotland, VisitWales and the National Tourism Alliances.

For most accommodation, new guidelines include the following:

Choosing self-catered accommodation with no communal areas will mean you can largely keep your holiday within your social bubble. So whether it's a holiday cottage, seaside apartment or self-catered ski-chalet, being able to keep mealtimes within your own social space will help you minimise contact and reduce your chances of exposure.

In some cases, hosts are leaving rest-periods between guests to help minimise the chance of cross contamination. Studies suggest the risk of catching coronavirus from a hard surface is significantly reduced after 72 hours. Some owners are even allowing up to seven days between bookings to give their guests added peace of mind.

Under current guidelines (as of 22nd September 2020), you can stay overnight in groups of six with members of your own household or support bubble. In some cases, self-catered accommodation may even be able to allow up to 15 people, so long as you can prove you are all one household or bubble.

Visit the gov.uk website for further guidelines.

If you fall ill while staying in overnight accommodation, you should tell your host immediately so they can take measures to minimise transmission. You should also request a COVID test. If you are confirmed to have the virus, you should return home using private transport. If that's not possible, discuss your circumstances with your host.

It's likely that in most cases you will have to cover the costs of any extended stay at your accommodation, unless stated otherwise during booking or in your insurance policy.

All World First policies include our enhanced coronavirus cover, which means you are covered for certain types of holiday disruption caused by COVID-19. You can find out more here.

Excerpt from:

Coronavirus: Is self-catering the best option? - World First Travel Insurance