Marriott International announces its Global Cleaning Council, Era Covid-19

Marriott International, which for 92 years has been recognized as a hotel leader for its commitment to quality, exacting standards, and rigorous training, announced today that it will launch a multi-dimensional approach program to raise its cleanliness standards and norms and behaviors to address new health and safety challenges presented by the current pandemic.
"We are living in a new era, with COVID-19 at the front and center for our guests and associates," said Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International. “We are grateful for the trust that our guests have shown us over the years. We want our guests to understand what we are doing today and plan in the near future in the areas of cleaning, hygiene and social distancing so that when they cross the doors of one of our hotels, they know that our commitment to their health and safety is our priority. . It is equally important to us that our associates know about the changes we are making to help protect their health while serving our guests. "

A new way of looking at cleanliness
Marriott, which has long had a reputation for high hotel cleaning standards with well-established cleaning and training processes, has created the Marriott Global Cleaning Council to address the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel level and further advance the company's efforts in this area. The Marriott Global Cleaning Council will focus on developing the next level of global hospitality cleaning standards, norms and behaviors designed to minimize risk and improve safety for both consumers and Marriott associates.
The Council is chaired by Ray Bennett, Global Director, Operations, Marriott International, and will benefit from the insights and input of internal and external experts, including leaders from all Marriott disciplines such as cleaning, engineering, food safety, occupational health and associate's welfare. The Council also includes advisory members Ruth L. Petran, PhD, CFS, Senior Corporate Scientist, Food Safety and Public Health, Ecolab, the world leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services; Dr. Michael A. Sauri, Infectious Disease Specialist at Adventist Healthcare; and Dr. Richard Ghiselli, Head of the Purdue University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; and Dr. Randy Worobo, professor of food microbiology in the Food Science Department at Cornell University.
"Marriott has a long tradition of emphasizing cleanliness in our care of the rooms and public spaces of our hotels," said Bennett. "Through expert scientific advice and advice, we are taking a thoughtful approach to establishing a bar Cleaning Service and Developing New Guest Interaction Protocols Marriott's Global Cleaning Council is focused on more than just hotel-wide sanitation, we're providing a holistic approach designed to improve the peace of mind of our guests and associates "

Improved technology to counteract the spread of viruses
Marriott is also implementing improved technologies that include hospital-grade disinfectant electrostatic sprays to disinfect surfaces throughout the hotel. Electrostatic aerosol technology uses the highest classification of disinfectants recommended by the CDC and the WHO to treat known pathogens. Aerosols quickly clean and disinfect entire areas and can be used in a hotel to clean and disinfect rooms, lobbies, gyms, and other public areas. Hotels in the company's portfolio also use air purification systems, which are effective against viruses, allergens, mold spores, and other air and surface contaminants. Additionally, the company is testing ultraviolet light technology to disinfect keys for guests and shared devices for associates.

Cleaning changes today
In the coming months, when guests are at hotels within the Marriott portfolio, they will notice a number of additions to our cleaning regimen designed to set an even higher standard of cleanliness for hotels. Specific areas of focus include:

Surface areas: COVID-19 has raised awareness of the importance of cleaning high contact surfaces. In public spaces, the company has added even more stringent cleaning protocols that require that surfaces be thoroughly treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning be performed more frequently. In rooms, the company has added to its rigorous protocols, ensuring that all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. Marriott will also place sanitizing wipes in each room for guests' personal use.

Contact with the host: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) warn of direct person-to-person contact as the main way COVID-19 spreads. To help alleviate the risk of transmission in this way, the company will use signage in its lobbies to remind guests to maintain social distancing protocols and that furniture will be removed or rearranged to allow more space for distancing. Marriott is evaluating adding partitions at the front desk to provide an additional level of caution for our guests and associates and is working with its suppliers to ensure associates have access to masks and gloves. The company is also installing more hand sanitizing stations at the entrances of its hotels, near reception, elevators, gyms, and meeting spaces. Plus, at more than 3,200 Marriott hotels, guests can choose to use their phones to register, access their rooms, make special requests, and order room service that will be specially packaged and delivered directly to the door without contact.

Food Safety: Marriott's food safety program includes improved sanitation guidelines and training videos for all operating associates that includes hygiene and disinfection practices. At Marriott, all food handlers and supervisors are trained in safe food preparation and service practices. Marriott's food and beverage operations are mandated to perform a self-inspection using the company's food safety standards as guidance, and compliance is validated by independent audits. Additionally, the company is modifying its operating practices for room service and implementing new approaches to buffets.

"Safety for our guests and associates has always been a priority for Marriott and today that discussion of safety is in the context of COVID-19," said Bennett. "We want our guests to know that we are doing everything we can to welcome them to a safe and clean environment when they start traveling again."