‘We’re good to go’ - new industry standard launched

VisitEngland are delighted to announce the launch of a UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark, in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism as the sector works towards reopening.  

'We're Good to Go'

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard and supporting mark means businesses across the sector can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and check they have the required processes in place. 

The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the sector. 

To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through the online platform including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in your premises and online.

Government Guidance

Businesses across the UK are required to follow their respective national guidance, including the social distancing and cleanliness protocols that must be in place. In England, businesses must align with the UK Government’s official guidance for the sector which was published yesterday. 

The Government's guidance for hotels and accommodation providers - such as campsites, caravan parks and short term lets - indoor and outdoor visitor attractions and conference and events centres outlines the processes and facilities that tourism businesses in England need to put in place before re-opening, so that both staff and visitors can be kept safe.

These include:

• Hotels and accommodation providers will need to introduce deep cleaning regimes between guests. 
• Meal services including breakfasts will need to be pre-booked and timed, and shared facilities will only be accessible to one family group at a time.
• Timed tickets will 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 should be in place to maintain social distancing measures at all attractions and help to limit contact between both staff and visitors. 
• Organisations should also encourage cashless payments throughout to avoid cross contamination. 
• In addition, visitor attractions will need to introduce regular deep cleaning regimes across their site and some interactive displays will need to be temporarily closed.

Alert System

An ‘alert’ system has also been set up to ensure that businesses signed up to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard are notified if there are changes to the official guidance. A call-handling service will provide support and assessors will also carry-out random spot-checks to ensure businesses are adhering to the guidance. 

The scheme has been developed in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitScotland and Visit Wales to ensure a standard-led approach across the UK with input from more than 40 industry bodies including UK Hospitality, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, the British Beer and Pub Association and the National Caravan Council, as well as destination management organisations across the country. The self-assessment includes specific guidelines for sectors including accommodation, visitor attractions, restaurants and pubs, business conference and events venues and tour and coach operators with signposting to further industry and trade association guidance as required.

Business Conference & Events Venues 

The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the industry including business conference & events venues. Once you sign up, you will note that there are some specific business events questions:

• Have you implemented a pre-registration system or a contact free registration process for delegates that maintains 2m social distancing?
• Have you provided information for organisers and delegates on what to do in the event that they develop COVID-19 symptoms, and do you have a closed isolation area?
• Have you implemented a policy on hygiene and 2m social distancing for organisers and delegates to adhere to during an event?
• Have you implemented a risk assessment process that ensures 2m social distancing is maintained during an event?
• Have you implemented a cleaning policy to ensure communal areas are kept clean throughout an event e.g. toilets, networking areas, refreshment stations and catering areas?
• Have you implemented an F&B process that ensures 2m social distancing is maintained during an event?
• Have you implemented a fire and major emergency evacuation procedure that maintains 2m distancing at evacuation points?

For further information and details of how to get started, please click here.
 

'Know Before you Go' 

Alongside the industry standard, VisitEngland have launched a ‘Know Before You Go’ public information campaign to support tourism in England as businesses start to re-open, reassuring visitors as restrictions are lifted by checking about what it is safe to do and when, and sign-posting to information about destinations and available services before travelling. They are inviting you to take part in this national campaign and have created a free toolkit for you to download containing access to assets and the “Know Before You Go” campaign messaging for you to use in your own marketing activity. For full details on how to get involved, visit their website.