Hotels never had to close throughout lockdown, as they remained open to house caregivers and long-term residents. With phase 2 of containment exit, hotels, vacation rentals, and holiday villages can reopen as coronavirus is withdrawing in France.
Edouard Philippe said “tourism accommodations can reopen in all green departments from June 2. In orange area, they can simply open after June 22, that is to say when the third step of containment exit starts”. The idea is to launch the summer season, especially by lifting the 100-km limit on June 2.
The State Secretary for Tourism said this past May 11, 2020: “For instance, people self-isolated in vacation rentals. And since yesterday, we can enjoy local tourism, stay in a vacation rental within 100 kilometer around your home or in your home department”. Over 17,000 hotels, 8,000 French campsites, and 1,000 holiday villages will be able to launch bookings. By the way, Edouard Philippe said that summer camps could be organized.
In the meantime, hotels got major instructions: “air the room, thoroughly clean door handles, light switches, faucets, remotes and any items likely to have been touched by hand, avoid shaking bed sheets or towels, put spoiled sheets and towels in the laundry basket immediately and make sure you keep clean and dirty linen apart and between each room, clean gloved hands (cleaning gloves) with water and soap”.
Many places remain that they already observe the HACCP method, that is to say the Hazard Anaysis and Critical Control Point system. But the new standards will change some habits: room service will have to be contact-less, coffee machines available will be removed and buffet brunches and breakfasts no longer allowed.
In hotels in green area, restaurants will reopen within the limit of 10 people per table, with a minimum 1-m distance between each table. Waiters will have to wear facemasks. In orange areas, including Île-de-France, sole restaurant terraces are allowed to welcome patrons again first.
To reassure guests, a voucher or adjournment is possible for stays and events cancelled between March 1, 2020 and September 15, 2020. Last but not least, the government considers creation holiday vouchers in early June to relaunch the tourism machine.
