Precautions and safety measures at Hout Bay Beach Cottage:
Who can stay at our self-catering house during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The South African government has implemented various Lockdown Levels in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 AND 2: Leisure activities are be permitted at these lower levels and tourism may resume, however certain high risk countries are not permitted to enter South Africa for leisure purposes. The list of these high risks countries are updated every two weeks.
Travel requirements to enter South Africa and further information can be found here: Travel
LOCKDOWN LEVEL 3: On Level 3, people may travel for business purposes. People might be moving houses or might be renovating and may therefore need an interim, fully furnished place to stay in Cape Town. Anyone with a valid reason needing accommodation may potentially stay with us. For more information on South African Government rules applicable: Level 3.
LOCKDOWN LEVEL 4 AND 5: On previous Level 4 and Level 5 (strictest), we were unable to accommodate short term rentals.
Accommodation at Hout Bay Beach Cottage during Level 3:
The house is freestanding and is rented out as one unit for exclusive use, with a private fully fenced garden. The house can be booked for a single person or for one household. Neither staff nor owners reside or stay at the premises.
The house offers:
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- Two double bedrooms
- One bedroom with 2 single beds
- Two bathrooms.
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Private garden and pool
Advantages of staying at a self-catering house as opposed to staying at a Hotel
The main advantages are minimized risks due to:
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- No staff encounters during your stay, unless agreed otherwise
- No other guests staying during your stay.
- We aim for a window period of at least 2-3 days between bookings.
Which COVID-19 safety protocols do we implement?
During the pandemic, our aim is that our staff does not encounter our guests during their stay.
- We aim to rest the house for 2 to 3 days in-between guests.
- In between bookings, we ensure thorough sanitizing and disinfecting, following the recommendations from the World Health Organisation and Hospitality industry advisory boards. These include washing every possible item of washable fabrics (at high temperatures), disinfecting surfaces including extra attention to often-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, window handles, light switches, oven knobs and remote controls.
- Ventilation is important. We open doors, windows and cupboard doors while cleaning rooms to ensure good fresh air circulation for each room. We encourage guests to do the same.
- We have implemented a system of regularly airing each non-washable soft furnishings or items where possible.
- We have laminated pamphlets on the walls from the World Health Organization guidelines, with instructions for guests on how to take preventative measures to minimize virus spread.
- Restricted services during a stay to minimize staff/suppliers accessing the house:
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- No cleaning services are provided during a stay unless special arrangements are made and agreed upon by all parties involved.
- There may be no pool or garden service during a stay.
- We have replaced our lawn with synthetic lawn to minimize garden maintenance requirements, the grass is always green!
- No repairs or handyman requests or activities during a stay, unless essential (such as water, plumbing or electricity) or agreed otherwise.
- The in-house Mobile Massage and Spa services are not offered during the pandemic.
These are precautions to minimize people entering the house and to minimize any risks to spread the virus, in a controlled safe manner. Click on the SafeStays button to find out more details:
Provisions for guests during Level 3:
- We provide hand soaps, sanitizers (70%+ alcohol) for our guests
- Restricted provisions:
- Limited non essential decor items, in order to minimize touchable surfaces. The house generally has a minimalistic, stylish ‘look and feel’ without clutter items in any case. A similar look will remain.
- Fast Wi-Fi internet access is available during all levels.
- Manager will always be standby via WhatsApp or e-mail for questions.
Our staff is thoroughly briefed, trained and informed on:
- The requirement to wear a face mask or face covering visor as part of the Personnel Protective Equipment.
- The requirement of regular hygiene like hand washing with soap and using sanitizer (70%+ alcohol content). Use of disposable gloves when necessary.
- The importance of keeping social distance at all times.
- Staying at home when sick or having any suspicious health symptoms that could be related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any such symptoms would be further investigated and tested if required.
- How to use and take care of their Personnel Protective Equipment.
- Taking preventative safety measures in both their home and work environment.
- Checking and identify possible symptoms daily for themselves.
Questions?
Feel free to request anything specific or address any concerns. We are always open to suggestions and will try and assist wherever we can.
We aim to make our guests stay both safe and comfortable, with preventative systems in place to minimize any risks to the best of knowledge.
Stay safe and keep well
Myrthe & Jon
Reservations and enquiries for availability during Level 3
INSTANT ONLINE BOOKINGS:
Some dates are blocked for instant bookings online, but it does not necessarily mean the dates are not available.
CONTACT US:
Email: info@houtbaybeachcottage.co.za
WhatsApp: +27 83 3897951
Workspace provided in a quiet homely setting during Level 3
The house can also be rented as a temporary workspace. Need a quiet and safe workspace, to work from a home from home? Away from a busy household filled with disruptions?
Hout Bay Beach Cottage can be rented during lockdown for exclusive use for weekday rentals (Mon-Fri) on a weekly base (5-Day packages). A discounted workspace package is offered, if the house is booked as a workspace for ‘work from home’ purposes only and bedrooms are not required. Please enquire for rates, conditions or more information.