FEATURE: To mask or not to mask – will you ask your staff to wear one?

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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FEATURE: To mask or not to mask – will you ask your staff to wear one?

Following the positive news that hoteliers can now begin to welcome guests back into their establishments, there also comes a heightened responsibility for hotel managers to ensure they are creating Covid-19 policies to protect both their guests and their staff. The Fine Cotton Company’s Jane Robson explains…

Along with social distancing requests, sanitising stations and increased hygiene methods, a popular approach is to ask staff and guests to wear face coverings whilst on site in some areas.

Many hotels are choosing to offer them as welcome gifts for guests to use long after their stay and encouraging them to wear them whilst moving around their hotel such as in communal lobby areas and lifts.

But what makes a good mask and, as we write this, with no formal rules on the wearing of face coverings required should you ask your staff and guests to wear them?

It’s a dilemma for hoteliers who quite understandably want to return to normal as quickly as possible and make their guests and staff feel comfortable.

Professor Sir Venki Ramakrishman, president of the UK’s National Academy of Science recently said that coverings should be worn “whenever you are in crowded places” and that there is evidence that shows they protect the wearer as well as those nearby.

With this in mind hoteliers need to consider their customer experience more than ever as they encourage guests back. If quality face masks can give them confidence in their stay then it seems a logical and simple way to reassure them. And many hoteliers and restauranteurs seem to think so.

Traditionally supplying bed, bath, spa and table linens to clients such as The Newt in Somerset, The Fine Cotton Company have turned their textiles expertise to mask making during the pandemic and have seen a huge demand for their washable, quality three-layer masks. 

Made exclusively in Portugal in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations the reusable masks have been designed with a breathable, cotton lining, a crucial outer layer of polyester which does not absorb droplets and a polyurethane membrane sandwiched between the 2 layers of fabric. And reassuringly, unlike many fabric masks available, they are certified by Citeve in Portugal as a Level 3 Social Mask. They are available in both adults and children’s sizes so hoteliers can accommodate for their VIP younger guests too.

For discerning hoteliers who want to maintain their brand through these unusual times, The Fine Cotton Company are also offering bespoke face coverings, which may be printed with your own brand colours and logo, thus ensuring your staff look smart but your guests can also take home something from their stay.

The Fine Cotton Company’s personalised masks are available from just 50 units. For preferential trade pricing for face masks please call the helpful team on 0345602 9050. 

The Fine Cotton Company is one of the brands that has taken advantage of our Industry Support Package. To keep up to date with supplier news, click here. 

Main image credit: Pixabay

Hamish Kilburn / 10.07.2020

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