Once a relatively invisible part of the guest experience, health and safety standards have been thrust into the spotlight as the travel industry prepares to resume operations in the wake of Covid-19. This is just highlights of some of the enhancements being implemented.

TSA implementing virus-related procedures. TSA is now allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer up to 12oz. in carry-on bags until further notice. Other new enhanced procedures listed here.
 

• Airlines in North America, Asia, and Europe have announced mandatory temperature screenings for their fliers. The new policies are part of a larger push among air carriers to implement new health and safety policies as air travel begins a nascent reopening in some regions of the world that have bounced back from the pandemic.
• Expanding electrostatic spraying to all aircraft before departure, in addition to the extensive cleaning measures already in place to sanitize high-touch areas before every flight and the use of state-of-the-art air circulation systems with HEPA filters on many Delta aircraft that extract more than more than 99.999% of viruses.
• Adjusting the boarding process to encourage more space for safer travel by boarding all flights from back-to-front – reducing the instances of customers needing to pass by one another to reach their seats.
• Providing supplies directly to customers when available,  including  hand sanitizers, amenity kits  and other protective equipment
• Delta Airlines 

Cruise Lines are currently laser-focused on additional safety enhancements for their return to service. To develop future boarding screening process and updated health protocols, cruise lines are collaborating with government health authorities, the Cruise Lines International Association, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, global public health authorities and national and local governments to enhance measures to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities visited when operations resume. But you will definitely see:

• Enhanced screening at check-in
• Upgraded cleaning and disinfection protocols
• Plans for social distancing. 

Motorcoach Guided Vacation

• Drivers are trained with latest hygiene protocols and will clean and disinfect all surfaces including handrails,door handles, tables, seats, air-conditioning filters and overhead lockers on a daily basis
• Hand sanitizer free available on board
• Adapting to the right size groups, based on government distancing requirements. Clients can rest assured that they will travel with the comfort of their own personal space and have peace of mind that all of the experiences, hotels and restaurants they will enjoy on their trip have been vetted to ensure they adhere to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines required in each jurisdiction.
• Smaller groups allow for more personal space and to maintain physical distance. 
• Insight Vacations

World Travel & Tourism Council unveils “Safe Travels” – new global protocols to restart the Travel & Tourism sector. (click to read)

The WTTC has announced that the Mexican Caribbean will be the first destination in the Americas to receive a newly created “Safe Travels” global safety and hygiene certification, backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and more than 200 CEOs in the tourism sector.

The region joins cities in Saudi Arabia, Portugal and Spain that have adopted globally standardized protocols recognized by the WTTC.

• New embarkation procedures, including mandatory health screenings, touch-free temperature checks, and luggage disinfection, prior to onboarding.
• Add hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship 
• New technologies such as Electrostatic cleaning systems and UV disinfecting systems will be introduced as well.
• Guests and crew will be supplied with masks for use, as needed or required.
• More space for social distancing including reducing ship capacity and alternative dining venues.
• Buffets and self-serve stations will be replaced with crew services.
• Some new steps to ship cleaning procedures include deep-cleaning and disinfection of each stateroom during turnover – including soft goods, disinfection of all dining areas between meals, and disinfection of shared items such as bicycles or umbrellas after each use.
• The  crew will be required to pass medical screenings and certificates of health, and there will be new social distancing in crew living quarters and ongoing training in PPE use and hygiene.
• And air circulation will be another focal point of the plan—the air on  ships is not circulated between staterooms, only within an individual stateroom and mixed with fresh, outside air, the river cruise line said.
   

• Use of thermal cameras to steer away people with high temperatures;
• Altered layouts to ensure social distancing.
• Masks worn by all employees.
• Training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols with more comprehensive training for teams with frequent guest contact, such as housekeeping and food and beverage.
• Other changes may include suspending valet services, no longer having employees open the doors of cars or taxis, and having an employee present on elevators to sanitize the button panels at regular intervals, at least once per hour.
• Each guest will receive an amenity bag during check-in containing masks, hand sanitizer and a COVID-19 awareness card, and a spray bottle of sanitizer or wipes will be provided in each room.
• AMResorts - beachfront resorts (click to read)
• Four Season Introduces Lead With Care (click to read)

TRAVEL NOTICES AND ALERTS US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 

HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND INFORMATION    CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)  
MORE INFORMATION HERE                                         TRAVELERS HEALTH INFORMATION

WORLD TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNCIL