VisitEngland to introduce compliance standard as culture secretary says ‘Britain needs a break’

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden encouraged Brits to book staycations today, saying “Britain needs a break”, as he launched a VisitEngland-led industry standard for compliance with new operational guidance.

The benchmark has been developed to act as a marker to visitors that a business is practising distancing, maintaining cleaning routines, and has undertaken an appropriate risk assessment.

Dowden said the guidance would help the tourism businesses reopen safely, adding “I am looking forward to a British holiday myself”.

The initiative forms part of the guidance for hotels and accommodation providers introduced today to allow hospitality businesses reopen to the public. It includes:

• Hotels and accommodation providers to introduce deep-cleaning regimes between guests

• Meal services, including breakfasts, to be pre-booked and timed

• Timed tickets to be introduced for exhibitions, theme parks, galleries and attractions to reduce the number of visitors in locations at the same time

• One-way systems, clear floor markings and a queue management system to be in place to maintain social distancing measures at all attractions and help to limit contact between both staff and visitors.

• Organisations to encourage cashless payments throughout to avoid cross-contamination

• In addition, visitor attractions will be instructed to introduce regular deep-cleaning regimes across their site and some interactive displays will be temporarily closed

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: "Britain needs a break, and from 4 July people can now take a well-deserved staycation. We'll need the public to keep safe on holiday by following the advice we're providing, but there is no doubt this is the news many have been waiting for. I am looking forward to a British holiday myself.

“Our guidance will help the tourism businesses reopen safely, reassure locals and allow businesses to welcome guests back with confidence.”

VisitEngland director Patricia Yates added: “Millions of jobs and local economies across England are reliant on tourism, so it is fantastic news that the industry can plan with confidence to reopen and to welcome visitors back safely working within the new guidelines.”