Covid-19: Essential Information

Update: 10th February 2022  at 13:30 GMT

As the UK Government eases Covid Restrictions it is vital that we remain personally vigilant to save lives and protect the NHS.

There will inevitably be a mixed response to to this relaxation.  There will be many for whom this step is a long-awaited release yet the news will be met by some with a sense of trepidation.  This will be especially so with the many guests I host who are travelling to Oxford to attend one of the 6 hospitals that are within walking distance of the house.

I have therefore taken the decision to relax only one of the protocols put in place to mitigate the infection risks to both guests and my family.

I will no longer be keeping rooms fallow for 24 hours before guests arrive.  Rest assured, all other protocols (including fogging rooms with sanitising vapour during pre-arrival house-keeping) will remain robust.

For example, whilst it is no longer a legal obligation to wear face-coverings in the public areas of Sandfield Guest House I still owe all guests a Duty of Care under UK Law and so will insist guests wear face-coverings in our public spaces this unless a guest has a solid reason not to..

Moreover, adherence to the protocols put in place here at Sandfield Guest House remain a condition of booking.  Guests refusing to adhere will be asked to leave and will forfeit the value of their stay.

There are 2 key requirements that I would like to highlight to all guests:

  • Unless there is a reasonable excuse not to wear a face-covering then doing so remains mandatory in all public areas.  If you believe that you have such a reasonable excuse it is essential that you advise Paul prior to arrival.
  • Social Distancing will be expected of all guests.  There is no reason not to maintain a 2 metre space between those in the house so why wouldn't we?

The over-arching UK Government guidance was updated 9th February 2022 and can be found HERE.

The guidance for Hotels and other Guest Accommodation was updated 27th January 2022 and I continue to keep abreast of developments.  Key updates will be highlighted here and a Risk Assessment will be published in due course.  Click HERE for the guidance itself.

Key Points:

  • There will be no restrictions on domestic travel, though people should continue to follow guidance on travelling safely. People are encouraged to walk or cycle rather than use public transport where possible. Private vehicles can be used, within the legal gathering limits.
  • Hotel and guest accommodation facilities are still strongly requested to keep a record of all visitors, customers and staff aged 16 or over who are on the premises, to support NHS Test and Trace.  I also display an official NHS QR code poster so that guests can ‘check in’ using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details.

The updated conditions for National Travel that continue to apply and can be found HERE.

In short, you must not travel at all if you: have been told by the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate

International Travellers

The UK Government has categorised Departure Countries as Red, Amber and Green.  You can find out which category your nation has been given and the rules by which you must abide HERE.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.... I'll do my best to be of service.

Please click to expand each section: