Hotels in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have joined together to create a plan that will allow them to safely reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Daily Echo, manager of the Mirimar, Theo Iakimov, has led the charge in a bid to get hotels back up and running in some capacity following a seismic hit on the hospitality industry.

Marsham Court Hotel’s Rosie Radwell and hospitality consultant Simon Scarborough are in support of the ‘Covid-19 Action Plan’. Safety measures will be taken to ensure that the risk of guests contracting the virus is heavily reduced.

Mr Iakimov has been quoted as saying that hotels across the BCP council area will operate on a “reduced basis” for the time being and any reopening will be in line with Government guidelines.

Hoteliers in Dorset have been keeping a close eye on neighbouring nations, some of whom have begun reopening elements of their hospitality industry while also maintaining social distancing.

If hotels are given the green light to open their doors, the visitor experience will be different, with reduced capacity and some services being limited to a certain number of people. As staff will be required to social distance, hotel restaurant menus could be reduced while shift patterns may be altered.

In some instances, guests as well as staff may be provided with PPE, while it may be the case that staff, and visitors have their temperatures checked. One of the main symptoms of Covid-19 is a high temperature, so if an individual is found to have a fever, the hotel will be made swiftly aware.

Mr Iakimov has also revealed that hotels across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are prepared to participate in a trial reopening should the Government decide to go ahead with one.

The BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) has received backing from the BCP Council, local MPs and both of the town’s Business Improvement Districts. VisitBritain of the British Tourist Authority has also taken note of the ‘Covid-19 Action Plan’.

With the Dorset economy relying heavily on the tourism industry, it is in the county’s best interest to get hospitality businesses up and running again, but only when safe to do so.