COVID-19: Here’s what we’re doing

UPDATED: April 30, 2020

Just like you, The Burrard’s team is following the quickly changing developments regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus. As the effects of this virus make their way into the far corners of the world, our thoughts are with all of those it has affected. Here at the hotel, we’re doing what we can to keep our guests, team and community safe and healthy.

We’ve built a partnership with Providence Health Care, the organization that manages St. Paul’s Hospital across the street from us, to support their team and the important work their doing. Medical staff can use a room at the hotel to relax, shower and recharge between or after their shifts, or when necessary, stay overnight. You can learn more about the partnership in the Globe & Mail, Vancouver Sun, Daily Hive or on CityNews Vancouver.

At The Burrard, we’re always committed to making sure that our hotel is properly cleaned and disinfected, and a safe place for you to spend the night. We’re also the only hotel in downtown Vancouver with outdoor corridors connecting our rooms, making fresh air plentiful. In light of the current health situation, we’re stepping up our efforts, including the following:

— In our guest rooms, we are rigorously cleaning and disinfecting the entire room, including the floors. Additionally, we pay special attention to disinfecting those “high touch” points within the room such door handles, light switches, the TV remote, and taps and handles in the bathroom.

— At the end of your stay, regular pillows and all linens are removed from the room, regardless of whether they have been used. We have removed all decorative pillows and soft furnishings that are not able to be regularly cleaned to these higher standards.

— Items such as towels, bottled water and coffee/tea-making items are no longer provided in the room. To maintain control over how many people have handled these items (and minimize waste), we are instead providing them to guests when they check-in at our front desk.

— We have suspended housekeeping services during a guest’s stay, so that you can ensure that you’re the only person in your room while you’re with us. Of course, at your request, we’re happy to change linens, or bring extra towels, coffee pods or bottles of water.

— We use cleaning supplies from Ecolab, an international leader in hygiene. The products that we use in bathrooms and for cleaning hard surfaces will kill COVID-19, as will the laundry products that we use.

— In the public areas of the hotel, we are regularly disinfecting the “high touch” points such as elevator buttons, door handles, and stair railings, making sure that this is done consistently throughout the day. We’re also disinfecting room key cards, guest credit cards, payment terminals and pens.

— Our staff are required to take paid leave and self-quarantine for the mandated 14 days if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms.

— We understand that travel plans are extremely precarious right now, with the situation changing by the hour. Therefore, we are allowing guests to cancel at any time with no penalty.

The risk in Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada remains low, but we will not become complacent. We will continue to monitor and follow guidelines being issued by the BC Centre for Disease Control, the Government of Canada, and the World Health Organization.

Thank you for considering our hotel for your time in Vancouver.

The team at The Burrard