We would like to share with you some of the special measures, along with a rigorous clean and disinfect protocol, that we have put in place to allow you to book with confidence.

We promise to:

• provide our usual warm welcome (even if it is behind a mask) but give close regard to present social distancing measures
• clean and sanitise thoroughly throughout the property with a specific focus on frequent touch points in communal areas, while respecting the personal space of your bedroom during your stay with us
• wash our hands regularly and wear appropriate PPE when cleaning
• do our very utmost to ensure we make your stay as comfortable and safe as possible

We ask you to:

• give us the earliest possible notice if, for reasons related to COVID-19, you are unable to stay with us
• maintain social distancing around the property and also while out in the local community. This is currently 2m
• Wear a mask in the public areas of the B&B (masks can be removed at the dining table)
• help us keep everything as clean as possible for everyone by using sanitizer provided on entry into the house and on entry into the dining room
• wash your hands regularly using the soap provided in each guest room
• let us know if there anything else you would like to see us doing to make you more comfortable during you stay

Prior to arrival

We will share full information with guests about the comprehensive containment measures we have put in place in response to the COVID-19 situation.

No deposits

For bookings taking place up to the end on May 2021, we are not taking deposits due to the present uncertain climate.

Cancellation and refunds for up to the end of May 2021 (our usual cancellation policy applies to bookings from June onwards but will be reviewed regularly)

Please appreciate that, as a small business, we have been very harshly affect by lockdown and will be affected by future cancellations as we try to recoup our great financial losses.

However, we realize how uncertain these times are and, because of this, have reduced our cancellation window from 14 days to 7 days prior to arrival. On notice of cancellation, we will first endeavour to re-let the room but, if we are unable to do so, payment in full will be required.

Should a cancellation have to be made at any point as a result of COVID-19, no cancellation charge will be made at all and we hope that you will be able to postpone your visit to another time.

In the event of a guest deciding to cut short their stay for any reason other than circumstances relating to COVID-19, payment for the full booking will be required.

Cleaning and sanitizing

We are a small B&B operating just two guest bedrooms and with consistently high-scoring guest reviews for cleanliness, so you can be reassured that our clean and disinfect regime will be incredibly thorough.

As a micro-business with less than five employees, we are not required to do a COVID-19 risk assessment but we have chosen to do one as it’s an extremely useful way of reflecting on the very best practice in these challenging times and focusing on attention to detail, which is what we do best at Otterburn B&B.

Eating arrangements

On arrival, guests will be allocated their own dining table, which they will use throughout their stay.

To stagger breakfast serving, guests will be asked to choose a time for breakfast the evening before.

Our ‘Buffet bar’ will be removed when sharing has to occur outside households/travelling companions. Cereals, yoghurt, fruit and pastries will be available on request along with our usual full cooked breakfast.

We would encourage guests to experience the diverse dining-out opportunities available in the local area as all hospitality providers have been severely affected by closure too. However, for those who would prefer to dine in, we offer delicious, freshly prepared evening meals and, for the daytime, generous packed lunches.

Please note that evening meals, which need to be pre-ordered at least 24hrs in advance, will be served from 5.30-6.30pm so that the kitchen can be used for preparing a family meal afterwards and not concurrently.

You are welcome to use our dining room tables for eating a take-away meal and we will provide all crockery, glasses, napkins and cutlery. A small charge of £5 per table will be made to cover additional cleaning costs. Please no eating of takeaways in bedrooms; thank you.

Guest bedrooms

Hospitality trays are being removed from bedrooms and made available on request.

Our Guest Information will be emailed to guests prior to arrival for reference rather than being displayed in a folder.

Cushions, throws and hairdryers will be removed from bedrooms. Extra blankets and a hairdryer will be available on request. Guests are welcome to bring their own toiletries, hairdryers and even pillows if they wish.

Daily housekeeping will be reduced to:

• Emptying bins
• Replenishing hospitality trays
• Providing fresh towels if requested

For stays of more than 3 nights, additional cleaning will be agreed in accordance with guests’ wishes.

Payment

Payment by BACS 24 hours prior to departure is encouraged and preferred but we can also take payment by cheque or cash if necessary.

Out and about

We live in a small, rural community and we need to respect the safety of those who live and work locally too. Therefore, we will inform guests concerning safety measures that are in place in local shops so that you can observe them and about the busier times so these can be avoided.

Test and Protect

Please note that, according with government guidelines, we will be capturing appropriate contact details to facilitate NHS Scotland Test & Protect for COVID-19 which works by identifying who has the virus and who they have had close, recent contact with to break chains of infection and stop the spread.

Terms and Conditions

Despite all the special measures we are putting in place to protect our guests, our household and our community, it is still possible that one among these groups may come into contact with and/or contract a communicable disease, including COVID-19, even if they follow all the steps in the risk assessment we have made. The manager of Otterburn B&B is not responsible for any injuries or disease under such circumstances.