The American Hotel & Lodging Association on June 21 announced it would no longer advise hotels to require vaccinated staff to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing. AHLA on May 17 lifted its recommendation that hotels mandate masks and distancing for guests who've had the COVID-19 vaccine.

"In response to increasing vaccination rates across the country and of our workforce, and consistent with CDC and OSHA guidance, the hotel industry supports vaccinated employees being given the choice whether to continue wearing face coverings, in accordance with state and local laws," AHLA CEO Chip Rogers said in a statement.

"Unvaccinated employees and guests should continue to wear face coverings and practice physical distancing at all times in common areas of the hotel facility," Rogers continued. "It is also important to note that employees and guests, including those who are vaccinated, are welcome to wear a face covering if that is their personal preference."

The association launched the Safe Stay initiative, an industry-wide group of health and safety protocols, in May 2020 in response to the pandemic. Protocols will continue to include enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, as well as contactless technology, according to AHLA.


"Safe Stay will continue to evolve to align with the current environment and CDC and OSHA guidelines to keep travelers and hotel employees safe," Rogers said.

He added that AHLA encourages everyone to get vaccinated.

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