COVID-19
Customer FAQ's
Published: Friday 20th March 2020
Updated: Saturday 31st October 2020
Guidance for Guests
Thank you so much for your patience and support over the past few months. We have been pleased to welcome all our guests safely this season. We are keeping this page updated in line with government guidance to inform all our guests of how any COVID government changes may affect your up and coming bookings. Due to the everchanging nature of the legislation we are currently working on amending any bookings that are due to arrive prior to 2nd December 2020. We are reviewing this date regularly, in line with government guidance and will be keeping this page updated.
***UPDATE 31st OCTOBER 2020***
We will be contacting any guests due to come on holiday from Thursday 5th November – Monday 2nd December 2020 in order to offer you a choice of a full refund or transfer. Please bear with us and we will be in touch from Monday 2nd November via phone to discuss your preferred option. If you are due to come on holiday with us between these dates please feel free to contact us via email and request a refund or preferred dates to transfer to and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
When you are able to travel to Devon safely and in line with Government guidance…
Adjustments to how we liaise with our guests- what’s changed?
We will be contacting you more regularly with updated arrival details, links on things to do and where to eat, departure checklists and other relevant information before, during and after your stay.
Will pubs and restaurants be open when I come on holiday?
At the moment bars, restaurants and pubs have a curfew set to 10pm daily. There may be some queues and you will have to ensure you book in advance. Please plan your days before hand. We have put together a list of places you can get food and a list of our family favourites. There are direct links to their websites with up to date information and contact details. Please click the following links for more information and days out and dining in:
What extra cleaning procedures have been put in place to ensure the property has been sanitised between guests?
We have produced detailed information for our caretakers and homeowners with the help and guidance from PASC UK (Professional Association of Self- Caters UK) to enable us welcome you on holiday safely. The information contains guidelines on how the properties are being maintained safely in the context of COVID-19, and how to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. As an agent we have a duty of care to work with our owners, guests even where specific legislation does not exist. Between us we now have a public health responsibility to ensure our accommodation is clean, not only to the eye, but also that any potential virus is removed to the best of our ability to prevent any spread. We have provided our owners and caretakers with opening up and changeover cleaning checklists as well as detailed information on what new strategies need to be used. There is a particular focus on sanitising high touch points such as key safes, keys, door handles & light switches. Each property has been risk assessed and each risk assessment is in the process of being passed onto our owners and caretakers before the first arrivals.
Can you guarantee the property is COVID free?
While we cannot guarantee that the properties are 100% COVID free when you stay with us but we have done everything we can to ensure the risk is minimal when staying in one of our properties. Staying in a self-catering property that has been cleaned within the guidelines is deemed much lower than visiting the supermarket
Have the departure and arrival times changed?
Due to there being no requirement to leave a property empty for 72 hours we have made a professional judgement to adjust the departure and arrival times to a 10am departure and a 4pm arrival. This will allow our caretakers and owners more time for changeovers and therefore ensuring the property is cleaned and sanitised accordingly.
Will I notice anything different within the property when I arrive?
You may notice that the properties have been decluttered to ensure there are not too many non- essential high contact items such as DVDs, board games, visitor books, leaflets and bed throws. We recommend that you bring your games, books and DVD’s on holiday with you. Welcome trays will not be provided for the time being and we kindly ask you bring your own tea and coffee. There will be a starter pack of washing up liquid, jay cloth, sponge, dishwasher tabs, bin bags and loo roll.
What to do if you are ill and experience COVID 19 symptoms while on holiday with us?
Please contact us on the emergency mobile number given in your arrival details and we will be able to help you. Guests showing signs of COVID 19 whilst staying at one of our properties are required to go for a test at the nearest test centre in Exeter. The result of this test must be shown to Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays. If positive then the guest must immediately leave if this is reasonably possible, if for any reason that it is not and self-isolation is required to take place at the property then all fees for all bookings affected by this self-isolation will be borne by the guest.
I am due to come on holiday after the 2nd December 2020; am I still able to amend my booking?
Due to their being no government travel restrictions in place at the moment for after 2nd December 2020 our standard cancellation procedure applies for any guests who wish to cancel their booking. Please see our cancellation policy.
Thank you and best wishes,
The Sweetcombe Team
Keeping you up to date & links to further guidance
We will of course be keeping you up to date with any changes and have provided you with links for further guidance. Please do contact us if you have any questions
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.sweetcombecottages.co.uk/terms-conditions
Disclaimer This is guidance only, and we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to this content provided for any purpose.
