Advice For Holiday Accommodation In Level 4 Covid Protection Area

22nd December 2020

From Boxing Day (26 Dec 2020), the Highland Council area will be in a Level 4 Protection Area when ALL holiday accommodation requires to be closed to tourists.

Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and self-catering can remain open for essential customers only.

When providing accommodation to essential customers, this should only be open for when they require accommodation as part of that role.

Covid 19 guidance is available that helps clarify who qualifies as an essential customer - See "Accommodation" section within Coronavirus Covid-19 local protection levels

Should you require any further information or advice on the latest guidance please contact our Environmental Health team on envhealth@highland.gov.uk

All holiday accommodation is closed to tourism. Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering can remain open for essential customers only:

anyone who is using that accommodation for work purposes

anyone who requires accommodation to attend a funeral

anyone who is providing accommodation or support services to the homeless

anyone who uses that accommodation as their main residence

anyone who needs accommodation while moving home

anyone who is unable to return to their main residence

anyone who requires accommodation to attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration

anyone who requires accommodation to participate in or facilitate shared parenting arrangements

When providing accommodation to workers, this should only be open for essential workers who require accommodation as part of their role. Workers accommodation guidance.

Breaching the restrictions in the Regulations is a criminal offence, unless you have a "reasonable excuse" for doing so. This means that accommodation providers may offer accommodation to customers in other circumstances provided it is an essential purpose. An example of this would be where someone needs accommodation for an essential hospital visit.