Allow self-contained, self catering holiday homes to re-open

Holiday homes businesses that have self contained holiday homes could re-open for use by guests that can travel from within the UK. When guests are in residence they would only be allowed to socialise within their own family group. Houses can be left for 72 hours between guests then thoroughly cleaned before any new arrivals.
There would be no access to any shared outdoor activities / garden areas but guests would be able to walk or cycle as they would around their own homes within their own group.
The owner of the business would need to have a very good policy in place and guests would have to respect that policy to make sure there is no detrimental affect on the local area.
This would mean that people would be able to safely leave their own homes for a weekend, short break or longer but still stay safe without contact with others any more than they would at home.
A stringent cleaning regime would be required for each changeover.

Why the contribution is important

This would enable the Tourism industry in Scotland to gradually resume trading and help the many tourism businesses who may not survive otherwise. Tourism is a large part of the Scottish economy and is presently at a complete standstill.

by Toffee on May 06, 2020 at 10:08AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.7
Based on: 77 votes

Comments

  • Posted by federicabertolini May 06, 2020 at 10:19

    I think this would be the best way to restart tourism gradually

  • Posted by Norm May 06, 2020 at 10:23

    This would aid those particularly in cities who are finding it stressful to be contained in flats.

  • Posted by Weeval02 May 06, 2020 at 10:24

    Definitely not a good idea because how would you make sure they self isolate for the 72hrs especially when there are kids

  • Posted by lc73 May 06, 2020 at 10:26

    The real difficulty with this is how to ensure that rural/coastal areas don't become much more at risk because of the influx of holiday makers.
    It's a real conundrum - we need tourism to help booster the economy but we don't want the people living and working in the local area to be put more at risk because of the increased population, especially when it's more transient.

  • Posted by Spaceman May 06, 2020 at 10:33

    I agree we have a static caravan you can shield there you drive down what’s the difference in the countryside it’s peaceful you don’t socialise it’s possible caravans are far enough apart

  • Posted by robertson May 06, 2020 at 10:33

    Provided a safe management system built around social distancing is instigated I cannot see the extra risk of travelling to other areas.

  • Posted by Chicken May 06, 2020 at 10:35

    This cannot be properly monitored. Safest place is at home.

  • Posted by RaeWebster May 06, 2020 at 10:38

    Great idea.

  • Posted by Jane May 06, 2020 at 10:39

    Support in principle but imagine that some rural communities would be concerned about cross infection - similar to recent situation in Skye. So testing of those involved may also be a factor as well as cleaning regime within properties.

  • Posted by Wanamuffin May 06, 2020 at 10:47

    72 hours between visitors only required if any guest showing symptoms on departure. Maybe 24hrs of active ventilation and deep clean otherwise.

  • Posted by AlanClark36 May 06, 2020 at 10:51

    Though I can see some merit in this suggestion my concern would be that certain tourist hotspots become very busy. These can be places where NHS hospital capacity is lower than other regions and a boom in tourist visitors could overwhelm the service to the detriment of those who reside in the area permanently.

  • Posted by Clairef May 06, 2020 at 11:01

    I think this is an excellent idea and would help slowly get tourism back to normal. Also help with mental health and guest would feel they had a break. With key lock boxes, this would also help to enable social distancing.

  • Posted by camerj May 06, 2020 at 11:06

    As someone who owns a self catering property I have to say absolutely no way should they be re-opened. Catastrophic for rural areas who do not have the medical resources to cope should their community be hit.

  • Posted by JennyBee May 06, 2020 at 11:12

    I think this is a great idea. Tourism is the lifeblood of so many rural areas. As a point of correction, the poster suggested 72 hours between groups of guests, not isolating for 72 hours. The local community would benefit when cafes etc can do takeaway, which may be before other leisure activities?

  • Posted by DaveC May 06, 2020 at 11:16

    Use of Static caravans ought to be considered. With exception of the journey to and from there we could live exactly as now and follow the rules exactly as we do now. It would give alternatives for exercise and put a little cash back into their economy. No need for wholesale relaxation or change, just the journey aspect.

  • Posted by DaveC May 06, 2020 at 11:16

    Use of Static caravans ought to be considered. With exception of the journey to and from there we could live exactly as now and follow the rules exactly as we do now. It would give alternatives for exercise and put a little cash back into their economy. No need for wholesale relaxation or change, just the journey aspect.

  • Posted by HighlandLassie May 06, 2020 at 11:39

    I would agree, could people not be tested if going to the Scottish islands ? So many people living on the mainland with older family on the islands.

  • Posted by Jockd231 May 06, 2020 at 11:41

    I agree, open static caravan parks, people can still social distance. I don't see any difference from isolating in my home or in my caravan. As a key worker it's ok for me to drive a hour and a half to get to work but not 50 minutes to get to my caravan.

  • Posted by Toffee May 06, 2020 at 11:58

    I understand the worries about rural cottages in the Highlands and Islands, and the risk of bringing the virus into areas which have no hospitals etc, but there are some areas of Scotland eg Fife, Tayside, Glasgow, Edinburgh where this would not be an issue. I don't necessarily think it's a good idea for Airbnb type accommodation in blocks of flats where there are lots of other residents, but properties where there can be absolutely no contact with the owner, or other people would be possible and would have a very beneficial effect on people's well-being as well as helping to re-start the Scottish Tourism industry.

  • Posted by ianmac May 06, 2020 at 13:02

    Great idea to open up caravan sites. No risk to compliance with social distancing being respected.

  • Posted by Lindaoban May 06, 2020 at 13:22

    Self contained properties that offer key box entry and the potential for same household groups (or bubble groups) to take a break from cities can be made as safe for guests as any other business. The sector is already looking at enhanced cleaning protocols between guests and domestic visitors would be welcome. It could take a while before international travel is allowed but if the sector can open safely with respect for the local community that relies on its economic contribution then it should be allowed to do so.

  • Posted by RobertDG May 06, 2020 at 17:16

    Self-catering offers a perfect way to open our country to valuable visitors with very little risk to the community.

    Opening properties will require a careful risk assessment to ensure the safety of housekeepers, guests and the community. Housekeepers and staff should have access to proper training to be able to sanitise properties correctly.

    We need to follow scientific advice about leaving breaks between bookings. It is likely that the risks will be minimal if the correct cleaning procedures are used.

  • Posted by CitizenL May 07, 2020 at 07:19

    Self catering seems the lowest risk tourism activity to re open. Perhaps it should be allowed regionally at first so that visitors can only holiday within their own region with stated guidelines for fallow periods in between.

    Eg is 72 hours right? Can gov document this? It seems a sensible bio security measure and protects cleaning staff

  • Posted by Wildannie May 07, 2020 at 09:50

    I think this is a bad idea, and would risk people re introducing infections to remote areas, and potentially falling ill and having to self isolate for longer than their rental period. This would undoubtedly result in increased opportunity for the spread of the virus. People should be staying put

  • Posted by NKTC May 07, 2020 at 12:01

    Not a good idea - unless strictly restricted to folk holidaying within their own local area. Otherwise it will involve people travelling and spreading whatever they carry with them into another area, increasing transmission (as the holiday makers will go out and about touching things, need to go shopping, get fuel for their vehicle, etc), putting a burden on the health service and infecting other people who are trying hard to stay safe. Rural and remote areas have done well to minimise covid-19 cases by carefully following stay at home advice - they should not be subject to increased risk of illness and death for economic reasons.

  • Posted by DForr May 07, 2020 at 13:42

    Opening self catering accomodation to family/household groups should be possible with a few controls. e.g. extra cleaning between guests & perhaps requiring guests to bring their own bedlinen and towels so that there is minimal contact between guests and local staff. Also, everybody to maintain proper distancing & hygiene rules when shopping or using petrol pumps. As levels of the virus circulating in the community have already fallen considerably, the risk to rural areas could be kept very low.

  • Posted by Simpsojf May 07, 2020 at 15:52

    I think it is too early. The issue to me is infection control. With a 6 hour turnaround between visitors, how do we ensure that there is no cross-contamination between different guest groups. As a holiday home owner I have written off the year completely at significant financial cost. I think the Scottish Government could compensate owners in the same way as the English scheme, but I fully appreciate that we have other industries in even more desperate need.

  • Posted by Purple23 May 08, 2020 at 00:42

    As someone who runs a self catering home, I am deeply concerned by this proposal. No, any move to reopen the self catering industry needs to wait until we have significantly reduced the risk and developed a vaccine. There are too many ifs and buts. What if the guests are asymptomatic? What if a guest develops symptoms after check in? What if the guests flout social distancing rules? What if guests use the self catering property as a base to visit friends and family?

  • Posted by Ken2022 May 08, 2020 at 08:30

    No, just another excuse to spread the virus.

  • Posted by JeanHamilton May 08, 2020 at 11:07

    Careful management and rules of self catering premises are no different from living in your existing "bubble" of social distancing, you are only doing this from somewhere else. Retaining 72 hours between visitors (and therefore Covid19, cannot be alive in the premises), good cleaning practices will avoid the spread. Visitors would be obliged to continue their social distancing (as they would anywhere).

  • Posted by Kim May 08, 2020 at 11:23

    What is the difference in a caravan to being in your own home. If people own caravans they should be allow to use them.

  • Posted by CathyO May 09, 2020 at 13:30

    In terms of holidays of any kind surely self-catering ones where you are only with your own group, can practise social distancing, are the obvious first choice. Travel to the property is in your own car with little/ no interaction. This is so much safer than a flight somewhere. Clear guidance needed on the cleaning and possible 'down time' recommended if the accommodation is being used for different groups, but otherwise we could be having no holidays for a very long time.

  • Posted by jennylloyd May 09, 2020 at 17:56

    It would create too much work in areas with a small working population for holiday homes to be cleaned thoroughly between occupants. Also, there would be difficulties in restricting visitors from using shops and other facilities. People might think they've brought everything they need with them but there might well be a temptation to pop out for some extra item. There is also the possibility that a guest(s) may become symptomatic (or be asked by a tracing system to self-isolate) during their stay.

  • Posted by FirthLass May 10, 2020 at 17:59

    It is too soon to allow visitors to travel to more remote areas for reasons already explained by other commentators. The transmission rate would have to be very low indeed before this could be managed responsibly.

  • Posted by OliveBranch May 11, 2020 at 20:15

    There is no need to allow 72 hr between guests . Deep clean requirements are used in other settings and would be suitable for the changeover requirements and allow the weekly turnover to get going. This will provide employment for local residents and property managers.
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