UK: Serviced apartment provider The Stay Company has stayed open through the Covid-19 crisis and says it is standing by to support East Midlands businesses bring their employees back to work safely.
The company, which has apartments in Derby, has supported key workers, national and international business travellers and foreign nationals stranded in the UK, during the lockdown period.
Now it is working with key employers in the East Midlands to provide secure accommodation to employees returning from overseas, business travellers and individuals who need to self-isolate.
Director Dan Wilkinson said: “The East Midlands is an economic hub for the country and it’s vital to get it back up and running as quickly as possible. We’ve had discussions with many of our clients and one of their biggest challenges over the next few weeks is arranging secure accommodation. Whether they have a team member who has to come into the country with a potential two-week isolation period, or an employee who needs to isolate away from their family, we’re working proactively with them to find a safe and simple solution that takes into account the difficult times that many of these industries are facing.”
The company has put in a range of advanced procedures to achieve this. A free shopping pickup service has been introduced for residents – bringing groceries and essential shopping to allow guests to isolate safely. Check-out times are now flexible, with early check-ins free of charge, to ensure that residents can tailor plans around their travel arrangements without the need to risk exposure in public places. Each apartment is left off the market for an extended 72-hours before turnover and the team are strategically monitoring their booking system to provide immediate stay-extensions if a guest needs to isolate.
It has also implemented flexible payment terms and allows organisations to pay through BACS, debit and credit cards.
Cleaning and hygiene processes have been further enhanced, with additional cleaning in the communal areas, sanitisation of keys and a high-focus on attention to touch-points. Michelle Power, head housekeeper, said: “As we recognised the escalating risks of Covid-19 we took extra steps to ensure guest and staff safety. Amongst additional cleaning measures, we’re implementing the use of cleaning sprays, to the same level as found in doctors’ surgeries.”
Wilkinson added: “For many companies in the region, overseas workers and business travellers are a huge part of their workforce. Without a safe way to bring these employees back, businesses will continue to struggle and risk further impact. As many hotels and third-party booking sites closed temporarily, businesses are struggling to find a way to secure accommodation for their team. We want businesses in the region to know that we are able to support them and provide a safe apartment for their employees to stay in.”</p
