At the Al J. Schneider Company and AJS Hotels, we are committed to our family of associates and our community. When we first became aware of the infections that started in Seattle, WA, we began developing plans and protocols based on what we knew at the time, which were amended as the state and federal agencies provided guidelines and regulations. Our first priority, always, is for the safety and security of our associates, guests and tenants and we will continue to work as diligently as possible to insure we keep our #1 priority top of mind.
I commend our Governor, Andy Beshear, for taking early and aggressive decisions in the fight against COVID-19. His decisions have saved lives as we were facing unknown conditions with limited resources and was done with the public’s interest at heart. Clearly, as the amount of testing increases, we will see an increase in the infection rate, which in some of the new testing, many people are asymptomatic.
Recently, Governor Beshear has stated that the curve in Kentucky could have plateaued and I remain optimistic that we will begin to see a downward trend in the demand for hospitalizations. As we all know, this has been devastating to our economy and in Kentucky, where we rely heavily on the hospitality industry, the impact has been even more significant.
The Governor has created “Healthy at Work” based on a phased approach to reopen Kentucky’s economy. Healthy at Work is based on criteria set by public health experts and advice from industry experts. This phased approach will ensure the Commonwealth’s citizens can safely return to work while still protecting the most vulnerable Kentuckians.
Our plan represents what we will do to keep our guests, associates and our community safe. Each operating department has its own customized set of procedures that are more detailed than the summary that is presented here. The plans also take the three phased state plan into consideration with the caveat that we will adjust our plan based any changes in the guidance and regulations provided by state and federal health organizations as well as additional guidance provided by the brands of hotels we operate and any industry experts.
We will continue to monitor government policy changes, Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, government mandates and public health advancements. This may result in making changes to our protocols and procedures.
A key to our collective success in mitigating any COVID-19 related incidents in our facilities and within our community will require that our guests and tenants take an active role in following the established guidelines for their own personal hygiene habits and practicing the social distancing requirements.
We Can Do This Together!
Scott T. Shoenberger
President & CEO
The Al J. Schneider Company and AJS Hotels
The health and safety of our guests and associates is our number one priority.
Associate Temperatures: All associates will be required to have their temperature taken PRIOR to clocking in to begin work. Any associate confirmed to have a temperature in excess of 100.3 degrees will not be allowed entry into the property and will be directed towards appropriate medical care.
Social Distancing: Guests will be advised to practice social distancing by standing at least six feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while standing in lines, using elevators or moving around the property. Restaurant tables and other physical layouts will be arranged to ensure appropriate distancing. Associates will be reminded not to touch their faces and to practice social distancing by standing at least six feet away from guests and other associates whenever possible. All property outlets will comply with, or exceed, local or state mandated occupancy limits.
Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer dispensers, touchless whenever possible, will be placed in key guest and associate entrances and contact areas such as driveways, reception areas, hotel lobbies, restaurant entrances, meeting and convention space, elevator and escalator landings. Hand lotion will be provided in guestrooms.
Front of the House Signage: There will be health and hygiene reminders through the property as determined by the state health department guidelines.
Back of the House Signage: Signage will be posted throughout the property reminding associates of the proper way to wear, handle and dispose of masks, use of gloves, hand washing practices, sneeze protocols and to avoid touching their face.
Associate and Guest Health Concerns: Our associates have been given clear instruction on how to respond swiftly and report all presumed cases of COVID-19 to the Kentucky Department of Public Health (KDPH). We will be ready to provide support to our guests. Associates have been instructed to stay home if they do not feel well and have been instructed to contact a manager if they notice a coworker or guest with a cough, shortness of breath, or other known symptoms of COVID-19. Associates and guests who are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19 while at the property are instructed to immediately notify their manager (associates) or hotel security (guests).
Case Notification: If we are alerted to a presumptive case of COVID-19 at the hotel, we will remove and quarantine the room from service. In the event of a positive case, the room will only be returned to service after undergoing an enhanced sanitation from a licensed third-party expert.
Our Associates are vital for effective sanitation, hygiene and health programs.
Hand Washing: Correct hygiene and frequent hand-washing with soap is vital to help combat the spread of virus. All AJS Hotels associates have been instructed to wash their hands, or use sanitizer when a sink is not available, every 60 minutes (for 20 seconds) and after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching the face, blowing the nose, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, touching the face, going on break and before or after starting a shift.
COVID-19 Training: All associates will receive training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols with more comprehensive training for our teams with frequent guest contact including Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Public Area Department, Hotels Operations and Security.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Appropriate PPE will be worn by all associates based on their role and responsibilities and in adherence to state or local regulations and guidance. Training on how to properly use and dispose of all PPE will be mandatory. Every associate entering the hotel will be provided with a mask and required to wear that mask while on property. Gloves will be provided to associates whose responsibilities bring them in direct contact with guests or guest related areas including Housekeeping, Public Area Attendants, Security, Front Office Associates.
Daily Pre-Shift & Timekeeping: Associate pre-shift meetings will be conducted virtually or in areas that allow for social distancing between associates. Larger departments will stagger associate arrival times to minimize traffic volume in the back of house corridors and service elevators (please note, we will make every effort that staggered arrivals will have minimal impact on service time for guestrooms, but please be patient if service is delayed). Hand sanitizer will be available at each timeclock location and associates will be required to sanitize their hands before and after clocking in. Our management team will ensure that constant communication, proper PPE and sanitation procedures are followed and updated per the latest state and local guidance.
Our Associates are vital for effective sanitation, hygiene and health programs.
Guest Arrival: A lobby ambassador will be present to greet our guests arriving at the hotel. All visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizer and to wear a mask (which will be available from the hotel). Appropriate signage will also be prominently displayed outlining mask usage and current social distancing practices throughout the hotel.
Hotel Guest Elevators:
Our hotels use cleaning products and protocols that meet EPA guidelines and are approved for use and effective against viruses, bacteria and other airborne and bloodborne pathogens. We are working with our distribution partners and suppliers to ensure an interrupted supply of these cleaning supplies and necessary PPE.
Public Spaces and Common Areas: The frequency of cleaning and sanitizing has been increased in all public areas with an emphasis on frequent contact surfaces including, but not limited to, front desk check-in counters, bell desks, elevators and elevator buttons, door handles, bathrooms, room keys and locks, ATM’s, escalator and stair handrails, dining surfaces and seating areas.
Guest Rooms: Industry leading cleaning and sanitizing protocols are used to clean guest rooms with particular attention paid to high tough contact surfaces including television remote controls, toilet seats and handles, door and furniture handles, water fixtures, night stands, desks, telephones, light switches, thermostats, alarm clocks, in-room safes, hangers and luggage racks.
Laundry: All bed linen and bathroom terry will be serviced on the third day (or every three days for longer term guests) and will continue to be washed in high temperature in accordance with state health guidelines.
Back of the House: The frequency of cleaning and sanitizing will also increase in high traffic back of the house areas with an emphasis on associate dining areas, associate entrances, associate restrooms, offices, kitchens, service elevators and associate relations areas.
Shared Equipment: Shared tools and equipment will be sanitized before, during and after each shift, or anytime the equipment is transferred to a new associate. This includes phones, radios, computers, engineering tools, cleaning equipment, time clocks, and all other direct contact equipment.
Room Recovery Protocol: In the event of a presumptive case of COVID-19, the guest’s room will be removed from service and quarantined. The guestroom will not be returned to service until the case has been confirmed or cleared. In the event of a positive case, the room will only be returned to service after undergoing an enhanced sanitization protocol by a licensed third- party expert.
Throughout the hotels we will meet or exceed state and local health authority guidelines on appropriate social distancing.
Queuing: Any area where guests or associates queue will be clearly marked for appropriate social distancing. These areas will include front desk, elevator lobbies, restaurants, lounges, bars and group registration desks.
Elevators: Only four guests will be allowed per elevator with each elevator cab being clearly marked for appropriate positioning. Again, please be patient with elevator access.
Restaurants and Bars: Restaurants and bars will reduce seating capacities to allow for a minimum of six feet between each seated group/party of guests.
Meeting and Convention Space: Meeting and banquet set-up arrangements will allow for physical distancing between guests in all meetings and evens based on CDC and state recommendations. Self-serve buffet style food will be suspended and menu options and alternative service styles will be available.
Retail Spaces: In coordination with our retail tenants, guest occupancy limits, based on state guidelines, will be enforced to all for appropriate distancing.
Pools: All indoor and outdoor pools operations will be suspended until further notice. We plan on considering opening these amenities when the Governor as declared we are at Phase 3 of his plan.
Fitness Centers: All Fitness Centers operations will be suspended until further notice. We plan on considering opening these amenities when the Governor as declared we are at Phase 3 of his plan.
Back of the House: Social distancing protocols will be used in the associate dining rooms, training facilities, shared office spaces, associate entrances and other high-density areas in order to ensure appropriate distancing between associates.
Front Office & Transportation
Housekeeping
