Update: As of May 2021, Hyatt no longer requires vaccinated guests to wear face masks at properties in the United States.
In late July, most of the major hotel chains started to make face coverings mandatory for guests indoors at properties in the United States. We then saw some hotel groups expand the requirement to other countries in the Americas.
Well, Hyatt is now taking it a step further, and is requiring guests to wear masks globally.
Hyatt’s expanded guest face mask policy
As of September 15, 2020, and for the foreseeable future, Hyatt is requiring guests at all properties globally to wear masks while indoor in public hotel spaces, as well as when moving around outdoor areas. Here’s how Hyatt describes the new policy:
IMPORTANT FACE MASK & COVERING UPDATE: Following medical expert guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, face masks or coverings are required in hotel indoor public areas and when moving around in outdoor areas at all Hyatt hotels globally, with some exceptions, based on local laws or guidance. For specific requirements, please contact the hotel directly or visit the hotel website.
On July 27, Hyatt had introduced a face covering requirement for properties in the United States and Canada, and then as of August 10, the policy was expanded to all properties in the Americas.
Hyatt will require face coverings at properties globally
Where exactly do face coverings have to be worn?
Hyatt is requiring face coverings to be worn in indoor public areas, and when moving around outdoor public areas. Note that:
- Public areas includes hotel lobbies, meetings and events spaces, restaurants and bars, and fitness centers
- Some guests may be exempt from this mandate, including guests with medical conditions, guests consuming food or beverages in restaurants, guests who are seated outdoors and socially distant, and children under the age of two
- There are apparently some exceptions, based on local laws or guidance (are there places that prevent hotels from choosing to require masks?!)
- When Hyatt first introduced its face covering policy in the Americas, there was no requirement to wear face coverings when moving around outdoors, so it’s interesting to see that added
We know that face coverings help slow the spread of coronavirus, and it’s a small way we can do our part to stop the spread while still trying to go about our everyday lives. I’m fully in support of this policy.
Hyatt guests have to wear masks in public areas
Bottom line
Hyatt is now requiring guests at all properties globally to wear face coverings, both when indoor in public areas, and when moving around outside. This follows Hyatt making face coverings mandatory in the US and Canada in late July, and in all of the Americas a couple of weeks after that.
To my knowledge Hyatt is the only major hotel group to now require guests globally to wear face coverings.
What do you make of Hyatt’s guest mask requirement?
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