The AA is launching a new Covid Confident assessment scheme to support the hospitality industry in re-establishing and rebuilding consumer confidence as the UK prepares to come out of lockdown, with each nation working towards a reopening date, the first being England on 4 July.

The accreditation will show customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines, to reopen safely when permitted to do so by the Government. The scheme has already been backed by 19 industry bodies including: Master Innholders, HOSPA, Institute of Hospitality, B&B Association, Glamping Association, PASC, ASSC and the Tourism Alliance.

The scheme is open to all hospitality establishments that pass the AA’s stringent criteria, including: hotels; restaurants; pubs; B&Bs and guest accommodation; camping, glamping and holiday parks; self-catering accommodation; hostels; serviced apartments; attractions; and golf courses. The scheme is free to establishments, with applicants encouraged to make a donation to Hospitality Action here under the option “AA COVID-19 Accreditation”.

Establishments can apply via https://www.ratedtrips.com/aa-covid-confident and must meet the AA’s criteria, including:

  • Supplying a risk assessment
  • Being able to provide clear evidence that relevant procedures and measures are in place, and that staff training has taken place
  • Completion of an online self-assessment and sign up to the COVID Confident Charter, a code of conduct that will include a commitment to continuing to update procedures and measures as guidelines change, and to submitting to future audits as required

The AA will provide all those awarded a Covid Confident mark with regular updates on the latest Government guidelines, Health & Safety Executive Guidelines, and best practice, and they will be listed on the RatedTrips.com website.

The accreditation will indicate to customers that an establishment has in place the necessary risk assessments, safety measures and staff training, in line with the Government and UKHospitality’s published guidelines, to reopen safely when permitted to do so by the Government.