Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer
The tourism industry has been hit especially hard, but it is critical to San Diego’s economic recovery.
That is why the SDTA is such an integral part of the RECOVER Advisory Group, which is helping develop a comprehensive strategy for reopening the region in a safe and responsible way.
More information about the reopening of San Diego will be announced on Monday.
Kerri Kapich, COO, SDTA
The SDTA is still planning to begin marketing San Diego starting July 6 if it is safe for the community and for visitors to return.
It is important to make your voices heard at the state, county and city levels so that the needs of the tourism industry are appropriately considered in any reopening and recovery plans.
The SDTA has put together a list of reopening resources to help businesses retool their operations for the new reality.
The tourism sector is working together to provide the city, county and state the feedback and information it needs to develop its recovery plans.
Steve Cowan, General Manager, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel
The hotel industry is working together to ensure the safety of its team members and of its guests.
While different hotels have different issues based on size and type of offering, they are still working to provide guidelines.
Increased training for team members and the proper amount of PPE is a key issue.
Valet parking will most likely no longer be a service provided at hotels because of social distancing requirements.
Increased hand sanitizer stations, signage communicating social distancing requirements in the lobby and elevator and increased cleaning in high-volume areas are all part of the recommendations for reopening.
Guest rooms will also be cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants and collateral materials such as pens and notepads will be removed.
Food and beverage operations will change with room service becoming a knock-and-drop experience with to-go containers.
Also, hotels are working those the requirements for social distancing in meeting spaces.
Fitness centers will have less equipment and space it out and be stocked with more sanitizer, wipes as well as undergo increased cleanings.
David Koontz, Director of Marketing, USS Midway
San Diego’s major local attractions have been working on a plan for how to reopen when appropriate.
Employee training on proper social distancing is key.
Screening protocols for both employees and guests are critical, with employees undergoing temperature monitoring.
The group is working through distance protocols for the variety of different types of as well as how to manage guest flow with the proper signage plan to communicate social distancing protocols.
They are also recommending increased cleaning and disinfection of heavily used areas such as restrooms.
Food and beverage will be contactless with prepackaged options and the installation of plexiglass to separate employees and guests.
David Cohn, Cohn Restaurant Group
The restaurant industry is in contact with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency on a regular basis to better understand the rules and guidelines for when it is time to reopen and looking at Georgia, Florida and Texas to see how they are handling reopening efforts.
One of the most important issues is to have a 14-day lookback component to the regulations to see what is working and is not working.
The City and the County need to provide guidance with enough time for restaurants to properly implement new requirements. Announcing on a Friday that you can open on a Monday won’t work for restaurants.
Several restaurants will not be able to make it through this crisis and there could be a second round of closings.
Rip Rippetoe, President and CEO, San Diego Convention Center
The Convention Center is serving as a shelter with 1,200 beds for homeless individuals and that is likely to continue through May.
Staff is working on plans on transitioning back to business and Rippetoe is serving on the task force for the International Association of Venue Managers to develop on standards and guidelines for the industry, with Global Biorisk Advisory Council assisting in those efforts.
While the Convention Center will definitely be in Phase 4 of the state’s reopening strategy, the staff continues to work to make sure they are ready to welcome back business as soon as they can.
Joe Terzi, President and CEO,
These are challenging times for all of us. We are in a space we’ve never been in before.
We must work collectively to get back on track and that’s what we are doing.
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