What to expect on your Shearings holiday

We can’t wait to welcome you on your upcoming Shearings holiday, and we want to ensure your experience is one to remember. In light of the current situation regarding COVID-19, this document is intended to provide you with relevant information for your holiday. Please find a breakdown of what you can expect below.

Coronavirus Test Results

If you have taken a COVID-19 test prior to travelling with us and are still awaiting results, you will not be permitted to travel on one of our tours. Please call us to discuss your options.

Joining Points

As a high temperature is one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 as stated by the NHS, when joining your tour coach, each customer will be temperature checked before entering the vehicle. Any customer who has a temperature above 37.5 degrees will be advised that they can’t travel. They will receive a full credit voucher, to be used against another holiday, less a £20pp administration fee.

Coaches

Most of our coaches will be branded in blue with the new Shearings logo, however a selection of vehicles will not have this branding. All coaches will have a similar standard of interior and offer air conditioning, onboard toilets and reclining seats. Each coach will be clearly labelled at the front so you know that it is your vehicle.

Measures we’re taking to safeguard your holiday whilst on the coach:

• You will be required to bring your own face covering and to wear it throughout your journey on the coach, unless medically exempt – see ‘Face Covering Exemptions’ below. We will accept masks and visors as a form of face covering. You are allowed to remove your face covering if you need to take any medication whilst travelling.
• At your joining point, each customer will be temperature checked before entering the vehicle. Any customer who has a temperature above 37.5 degrees will be advised that they can’t travel. They will receive a full credit voucher, to be used against another holiday, less a £20pp administration fee.
• We will provide hand sanitiser on board the coach that must be used upon entrance and exit of the vehicle.
• Onboard toilets will be out of use during all journeys, however, the facility can be used in an emergency, and regular stops will be made throughout your journey.
• During each night of your holiday, your coach will be treated with an antibacterial fogging machine that will disinfect all surfaces within the vehicle.

Drivers

Your coach driver may be a familiar face that you’ve travelled with before, or may be someone new. All of our drivers are friendly, professional and fully trained and aware of COVID-19 protocols, and are there to assist throughout your journey – they are always on hand. All drivers will be wearing a uniform with a Shearings badge.

Interchange

At the interchange, all customers will be asked to carry their hand luggage off their transfer vehicle and have a comfort break in the services. You may be required to wear a face covering to enter service stations and use the facilities, and social distancing must be adhered to. During this time, drivers and Interchange staff will transfer main luggage items to the relevant tour coaches. All drivers will be wearing disposable gloves whilst handling luggage, and social distancing measures will be adhered to.

Hotels

Many of our holidays are staying at Coast & Country Hotels and we are working closely with them to ensure that all the hotels are a safe place to work, stay and visit. Some of these measures are outlined below, and on arrival at the hotels you will also be given a Welcome Letter with further information.

General

• There will be enhanced frequency of cleaning and sanitising regimes across the hotel, with particular focus on hand contact points.
• There will be provision of additional hand sanitising stations throughout the hotels.
• Disinfectant wipes are available to all guests at reception.
• All staff have received COVID-19 awareness training.
• All staff have signed a daily health declaration and undertake a daily temperature check prior to commencing work.
• All staff are provided with their own personal hand sanitising gel.
• There is enhanced provision and access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), where appropriate.

Arrival and Departure

• Hand sanitiser and Perspex screens have been placed at all reception desks.
• Room keys will be sanitised between the use of each guest. Many hotels ask that you look after your key throughout your stay and do not leave it at reception.
• Contact-free payment will be taken where possible.
• Porterage is not currently available, but it will be offered if a guest is unable to carry their own bag, in which case a sanitising procedure is in place.

Guest Rooms

• Some hotels may restrict or suspend daily housekeeping in guest rooms, meaning that your room will not be serviced during your stay. Should you require clean linen or towels, tea and coffee replenishing, fresh crockery or anything else during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask at reception.
• Housekeeping trolleys have sanitisers for staff to use regularly and they will be required to change PPE between each room.
• Rooms are deep cleaned between guests with a focus on all hand-contact surfaces. All linen and towels will be washed with additional cleaning agents.

Public Areas

• Guests are requested to wear masks in all public areas and respect social distancing.
• Hand sanitiser stations have been placed throughout the hotel.
• Many hotels have significantly increased the cleaning schedule in all public areas, focussing particularly on high - touch areas such as door handles and lift buttons.

Bar and Restaurant

• Capacity has been reduced to allow tables to be spaced according to social distancing guidelines.
• Guests may be asked to reserve a time for breakfast and dinner at check-in to reduce the risk of overcrowding in the restaurant.
• On arrival at the restaurant, please wait to be seated at a sanitised table.

Entertainment

• Some hotels will still offer entertainment. The type of entertainment will vary from hotel to hotel, and will be seated and socially distanced.

Face Covering Exemptions

In settings where face coverings are required, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering.
Examples of exemptions are:

• You are under 11 years of age.
• You have a physical or mental impairment, disability or health condition that makes putting on or removing a face-covering difficult, or a condition that could be affected by wearing a face covering, such as breathing difficulties, as confirmed by a medical practitioner.
• You have any communication needs that require you to lip read.
• You are visually impaired.

On Excursions and at Attraction Venues

All venues within our programme will be assessed to ensure that they are following their own safety procedures.
Optional excursions will need to be paid for in cash. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised to wash hands after handling money, and our drivers will follow this guidance and we recommend customers do the same.

General Advice

All customers should follow sensible guidance to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Viruses can easily be passed from person to person, however, the best preventative measure to stop the spread of infections is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap, then rinse them well under running water. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin and wash your hands with soap and water. Ensure that social distancing measures are followed and you stay at least 1 metres apart from others outside of your household.