In recent days, several associations have debuted proposals for reopening their industry sectors as some states take steps to ease travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association on Monday unveiled "Stay Safe" guidelines that promote "enhanced cleaning practices" in hotels as well as social distancing guidelines for hotel staff and guests.

The hotel industry has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19, with 70% of hotel workers either furloughed or laid off since the pandemic began, according to AHLA figures.

"Safe Stay was developed specifically to ensure enhanced safety for hotels guests and employees. While hotels have always employed demanding cleaning standards, this new initiative will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience," AHLA CEO Chip Rogers said in a statement. "The industry's enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols will continue to evolve to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19."

The U.S. Travel Association on Tuesday issued a new document—Travel in the New Normal—providing guidance for travel-related businesses to keep their customers and employees safe as the country reopens.

"We want political leaders and the public alike to see that our industry is se tting a very high standard for reducing the risk of coronavirus in our businesses, and that the practices in place to achieve that standard are consistent through every phase of the travel experience," U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. "As travel reopens, travelers need the confidence that safety measures are in place from their departure to their return home."

The National Restaurant Association issued guidance for business reopening in late April, focusing on food safety, cleaning and sanitizing, employee health monitoring, personal hygiene and social distancing.

More recently, the National Retail Federation announced the launch of a new online source of best practices for retailers seeking to reopen. The group will also seek regulatory relief for retailers through a new initiative, Operation Open Doors.

"Reopening the retail sector and putting our economy back on track will require a gradual, phased-in approach," NRF CEO Matt Shay said in a statement. "The smart, iterative strategies our members are building will help guide policymakers and business leaders through dozens of critical topics as we work to restore the American economy."

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