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The AA has launched a new Covid Confident assessment scheme to support the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence as the UK prepares to come out of lockdown.
The AA Covid Confident accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines, to reopen safely when permitted to do so by the Government.
The scheme has already been backed by 19 industry bodies including: Master Innholders, HOSPA, Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association, PASC, ASSC and the Tourism Alliance.
The scheme is open to all hospitality establishments that pass the AA’s stringent criteria, including: hotels, restaurants, pubs, B&Bs and guest accommodation, camping, glamping and holiday parks, self-catering accommodation, hostels, serviced apartments, attractions and golf courses.
To be eligible for the AA scheme, establishments can apply via https://www.ratedtrips.com/aa-covid-confident and must meet the AA’s criteria, including:
- Supplying a risk assessment
- Being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place
- Completion of an online self-assessment and sign up to the COVID Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required
Simon Numphud, managing director at AA Media, said: “Covid-19 has had a profound impact upon all those working in the hospitality sector. At the AA we are committed to supporting our colleagues across the industry as we work together to rebuild consumer confidence.
“We believe that many members of the public will be looking to enjoy days out, short breaks, eating out and other experiences as lockdown eases, but that confidence in the sector is vital.”
He added: “We hope that the Covid Confident scheme will be a valuable stepping stone for establishments to restore consumer confidence as lockdown eases.”
