Accommodation reopening for 2021 holidays

Accommodation reopening in 2021

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Wales

Self-contained accommodation in Wales can be let to a single household from England or Wales.  From May 3rd self-contained accommodation can be let to an extended household, which is defined from this dates in Wales as two households.

The Welsh Government says: “after May 17th consideration will be given to enabling remaining visitor accommodation to re-open in advance of the spring bank holiday on May 31”.

Here is a link to the government document defining alert levels in Wales.

England

Here’s the English Road Map for reopening from the Spring Statement  (last updated on 24th February).  Key dates for hostel accommodation are given above each step.

12th April – small hostels will be able to reopen as self contained units for the sole use of one household.

17th May – Hostels letting by the room.

Six people from six households can share a bedroom if they know each other.  Alternatively this group can be any number of people from two households who know each other.    Beds have to be 2 metre’s apart and the groups of 6 (or two households) must be social distanced from other groups within all areas of the accommodation.

This is very different to Scotland where bedrooms will be restricted to the use of one household until further notice.  Wales have not issued any instructions for shared bedrooms. 

In shared areas each group should have their own table for meals and staff should be in place to clean between groups and provide regular cleaning of touch points.  Shared self catering kitchens are not allowed to open.

Showers can be en-suite or with a dedicated shower assigned to each group.  Toilets can be shared between groups as long as they are cleaned regularly.

17th May – Hostels operating as self contained units can be used by six people from six  households or any number of people from two households.

21st June   No legal limits on social contact!    Group accommodation and shared self catering kitchens may be able to open with social distancing (or perhaps immunity/vaccination passporting) in place.  We are seeking further clarification. 

Scotland

The Scottish Government have published a road map for re-opening shown as a graphic below this text (last updated 14th April).

From 26th April travel from the rest of the UK into Scotland is allowed and tourist accommodation can re-open.

From 26th April (Level 3) – self contained accommodation can be let to one household.

From 17th May (Level 2) –  self contained accommodation can be let to 4 adults (and their children) from 2 households.

From early June (Level 1) – self contained accommodation can be let to 6 adults (and their children) from 3 households.

From late June (Level 0) – self contained accommodation can be let to 8 adults (and their children) from 4 households.

For hostels letting by the room, multiple households can stay in the accommodation from 26th April.  Initially bedrooms and showers are restricted to use by one household.  The roadmaps rules for socialising in a public place will apply to tables and shared areas in staffed hostels.  So from 26th April 6 adults from 2 households can gather indoors at a staffed hostel (but not self contained accommodation).  From 17th May this increases to 6 adults from 3 households, from early June 8 adults from 3 households and from late June 10 from 4 households.  Self catering kitchens can open with time slots, but many will remain closed.

Capacity in all settings is subject to relevant physical distancing requirements.  Further clarification is in development and should be available before 26th April.