COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Health & Sanitation Guide

In 1997, we envisioned travelers coming to Boston and enjoying all the great things our city offers while staying in a place that is affordable, safe, clean and feels like their own home… Maverick Suites was born and that became our mission. Since then, we have had the privilege to be part of the journeys of 951,380 guests (and counting).

Popular wisdom says, “the journey is more important than the destination,” therefore what defines us today is how we got here, what we’ve learned from our guests’ great joys, experiences and occasional missteps. We have been continuously learning, adapting, and evolving. We never thought of our business as an endpoint, but a non-stop journey in the service of our communities.

Today, we feel even stronger about the original pillars of our business: create an environment where our traveling guests can enjoy the safety, cleanliness and warmth, as if they were in their own home.

Given the impact of COVID-19, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation and have precautions in place to ensure you have a healthy stay. Our health and safety measures are designed to address a broad spectrum of viruses, including COVID-19, and cover everything from handwashing hygiene and cleaning product specifications to guest room and common area cleaning procedures.

We appreciate you choosing Maverick Suites. You should have confidence when booking a stay at any of our properties that we continue to follow and adhere to both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We are cognizant that these are unsettling times and whether you are traveling now or in the future, rest assured that your safety and wellbeing are our highest priority. Stay healthy and we look forward to your next stay at Maverick Suites!

Yours truly,

Bruce Miller & Frank Hoff

Founders, Maverick Suites

Employee & Guest Health

The health and safety of our employees and guests is our number one priority.

Physical Distancing. Guests will be advised to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while using elevators, laundry areas, common spaces and while moving about the property. Employees will be reminded not to touch their faces and to practice physical distancing by standing at least six feet away from guests and other employees whenever possible.

Hand Sanitizer. Touchless hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at key guest and employee entrances and contact areas such as main entrances, laundry area & outside elevators.

Front of the House Signage. There will be health and hygiene reminders throughout the property including reminding both employees and guests to implement social distancing guidelines whenever possible and encouraging the use of face masks. We ask all guests to read and put into practice the guidelines presented on property.

Employee & Guest Health Concerns. We will be ready to provide support to our guests and staff. Employees are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well. Employees and guests who are exhibiting any of the known symptoms of COVID-19 while at one of our properties are asked to notify their manager (employees) or Maverick Suites Concierge (guests).

Case Notification. We ask guests to notify Maverick Suites in the event of a presumptive case of COVID-19 at any property. Maverick Suites will work to alert any guest of that same property who may have been exposed during their stay with us. If we are alerted to a case of COVID-19 at one of our properties, we will immediately work with the relevant health authorities to obtain the facts and guidance on steps to take with both guests and associates. We will undertake an additional cleaning and disinfecting protocol of the common areas of the properties, as well as the areas we know the guest has been during their stay. In addition, Maverick Suite will seal the unit to ensure the room remains untouched after cleaning until entered by the guest.

Responsibilities of Maverick Suites Employers and Employees

Maverick Suites Employees are vital for an effective sanitation and health program. On site employees (such as Property Manager, Cleaning Staff, Maintenance & Maintenance Manager) will act according to the below policies in the best interest of guests and other staff. Our goals are:

reduce transmission among employees and guests.
maintain healthy business operations
maintain a healthy work environment.

Employee Responsibilities include:

Take temperature before arriving to work
Wear approved face masks at all times while on property.
Practice social distancing in the workplace as work duties permit.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, push laundry carts and doorknobs. Dirty surfaces must be cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfection.
Avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.

Hand Washing. Correct hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap is vital to help combat the spread of viruses.

Wash hands regularly.
Hands must be washed in between cleaning each unit.
Gloves should be changed with each cleaning task.
Wet, soap and lather for at least 20 seconds.
Wash and scrub under the nails.
Rinse thoroughly and dry using a paper towel.
Turn off taps with a paper towel.
Protect your hands from touching dirty surfaces.
Additional key times to clean hands include:
- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After using the restroom.
- After completing any cleaning task.
- Before eating or preparing food
Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with a person who is sick.

Maverick Management Responsibilities

Take and log employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to the start of shift.
If an employee becomes sick during the day, send them home immediately.
Test the use of face masks to ensure they do not interfere with workflow.
Increase air exchange in the building.
Require the increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

Temperature Check.

All staff will be required to check in with a manager and get their temperature logged into the staff health binder. They need to answer 2 health questions every day (Do you have any symptoms of COVID-19 including sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell? Have you been in direct contact with anyone COVID-19 positive within the last 14 days?) and initial that their response is “no” to each question. Any staff member with a temperature above 100.5 (guideline for a fever), or has answered yes to any of the two questions, will not be able to work and will be directed to go and get checked and/or self-quarantine for 14 days.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Appropriate PPE will be worn by all employees based on their role and responsibilities and in adherence to state or local regulations and guidance. Training on how to properly use and dispose of all PPE will be mandatory. Every employee entering the property will be provided a mask and required to wear that mask while on property. Gloves will be provided to employees whose responsibilities require them as determined by medical experts including housekeeping and maintenance & communications staff when on site.

Daily Pre-Shift & Timekeeping. Employee pre-shift meetings will be conducted at the property in areas that allow for appropriate physical distancing between employees. Employee arrival times will stagger to minimize traffic volume. Employees will be subject to a thermal temperature check before starting a shift. Any employee with a temperature over 100 will not be allowed to enter the property. Hand sanitizer will be available at each time clock location and employees will be required to sanitize their hands after clocking in. Our management team will ensure constant communication and proper PPE and sanitation procedures are followed and an uninterrupted supply.

The Maverick Guest’s Journey

Physical Distancing Protocol

– To minimize contact with guests while cleaning units; guest room attendants will offer to return at an alternate time for occupied rooms

Guest Arrival
Upon arrival the guest will use the keyless access code pad to enter the property. No other check-in is required, keeping interaction with others at an absolute minimum. Guests are encouraged to not linger in common areas and proceed to their unit upon arrival. Appropriate signage will be displayed outlining current physical distancing practices and sanitation procedures in use throughout the property.

Guest Elevators (if applicable)

Sanitizers positioned on each floor at the elevator entrance.
Signage will be posted to explain the current procedures.
Guests are only allowed to use elevators with people they’re traveling with. Please don’t share elevators.

Guest Considerations

Discontinue print magazine and newspaper services throughout the property. In room guide books will be available online for convenience.
All reusable collateral to be removed from rooms; critical information to be placed on single use collateral and/or electronically posted.
Disposable collateral to be disposed and changed after each guest
Extra pillows and blankets stored in the guest room closets will be removed and
available upon guest request (2BR Only)
All guest amenities to be packaged before being placed in room

PROPERTY OPERATIONS

Internal Office

All staff will be required to check in with a manager and get their temperature logged into the staff health binder. They need to answer 2 health questions daily before the start of work:

Do you have any symptoms of COVID-19 including sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell?
Have you been in direct contact with anyone COVID-19 positive within the last 14 days?
All employees will be required to initial in the log that their response is “no” to each question. Any staff member with a temperature above 100.5 (guideline for a fever), or has answered yes to any of the three questions, will not be able to work and will be directed to go and get checked and/or self-quarantine for 14 days.
Documentation from a medical profession supporting the employees ability to return to work must be submitted and approved by staff supervisor and ownership.

Cleaning & Sanitizing Protocol:

Maverick Suites will clean and sanitize counters, shared equipment and commonly touched spaces including but not limited to; office land line phone, shared computers, keys, banisters and door knobs. Equipment to be wiped down upon shift change.

Support respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene for employees, customers, and worksite visitors:

Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles.
Provide soap and water in the workplace. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. If hands are visibly dirty, soap and water must be chosen over hand sanitizer. Maverick Suites will ensure that adequate supplies are maintained.
Readily accessible hand washing sink or sanitizer will be provided in accordance with best sanitation and cleaning best practices.
Discourage handshaking – encourage the use of other non contact methods of greeting.
Routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, telephones, desk chairs, mini-fridge, microwave and doorknobs.
Any dirty office surfaces will be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Physical Distancing Protocol:

Enforce six-foot physical distancing minimums with those regularly exposed (ie: FedEx, UPS, USPS deliverers)
Restructure desks to provide appropriate six-foot intervals
Maverick Suites will use videoconferencing or teleconferencing when possible for work-related meetings and gatherings whenever possible.
When videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces.
Employees are advised to check themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 (i.e. fever, cough, or shortness of breath) including a temperature check. If symptoms are noted the Maverick Suites employee notify their supervisor and remain at home.
Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.

Public Area at the Property

Cleaning & Sanitizing Protocol

The frequency of cleaning and sanitizing has been increased in all public spaces with an emphasis on regular interval sanitizing of contact surfaces including, but not limited to, elevators and elevator buttons, door handles, room access code pads and locks, stair handrails, kitchen surfaces, on-premise Laundry Equipment and seating areas. To ensure the safe and effective employment of the disinfectant protocol, surfaces will be kept wet for a period of time with added precautions considered such as wearing gloves and providing adequate ventilation.

Physical Distancing Protocol

There will be health and hygiene reminders throughout the property including reminding both employees and guests to implement social distancing guidelines, repeatedly wash hands or use sanitizer whenever possible and encouraging the use of face masks.

Housekeeping

Cleaning & Sanitizing Protocol

Wear disposable gloves for routine cleaning and disinfecting.
Clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant.
Cleaning with soap and water reduces the number of germs, dirt and impurities on the surface. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces.

Laundry Area

For clothing, towels, linens etc.

Maintain access and adequate supplies to laundry facilities to help prevent spread of COVID-19.
Restrict the number of employees allowed in laundry rooms at one time to ensure distancing protocol.
Provide disposable gloves, soap for washing hands, and household cleaners
Staff to clean and disinfect buttons, knobs, and handles of laundry machines, laundry baskets, and shared laundry items.
In order to minimize the possibility of dispersing viruses through the air, do not shake dirty laundry. All dirty laundry must be picked up individually and dispersed in proper laundry bags or hampers.
Dirty linen to be bagged in the guest room to eliminate excess contact while being transported to the laundry area. On premise laundry room is available to the guest should they wish for contactless linen cleaning during their stay.
All bed linen will be changed in between guests and continue to be washed as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the highest temperature appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Clean and disinfect hampers and other carts for transporting laundry according to the guidance below for hard or soft surfaces.
Remove gloves, and wash hands right away.

Hard Surfaces

Clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant.
Cleaning with soap and water reduces the number of germs, dirt and impurities on the surface. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces.
All hard surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned using provided antibacterial all-purpose cleaning solutions and window/glass cleaning solutions. Including but not limited to bathroom surfaces such as shower, toilet, sink, mirror, cabinets, shower knob and sprayer and shelves.
Kitchenette surfaces include but are not limited to kitchen countertop, sink, cabinet doors and handles, cabinet shelves, electric stovetop, ovens & toasters (if applicable), microwave, and coffeemaker.
All kitchen utensils, including dinnerware, mini-refrigerator, pots, pan, basic cooking utensils, glasses, and cups must be thoroughly washed using dish detergent, rinsed, and dried prior to being placed back in cabinets.
Living room and bedroom surfaces, such as coffee tables, nightstands and dressers, closet doors and handles, windows and window seals, TV screens, desk/sitting tables and chairs, and bed frames.
Additional surfaces that will be disinfected including but not limited to; access code pads, door handles to the unit door as well as all closet and bathroom doors handle, cabinet pulls and hardware, TV remote, light switches, remote & cable box buttons, and all appliances.

Soft surfaces

For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and curtains

Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.
All soft surfaces, including rugs, carpets, and window curtains will have all forms of visible contamination removed.
Once the visible contamination has been removed, each surface will be thoroughly cleaned using commercial quality rug/carpet cleaning machines and cleaning products.
Rugs and carpets must be thoroughly vacuumed.

In the event a guest on property has tested positive for COVID-19:

Close off areas & units used by guests.
Open windows in the unit to increase air circulation in the area.
Wait 72 hours before cleaning staff cleans or disinfects the unit.
Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as bathrooms, common areas, kitchen equipment, chairs, remote controls, and access code pads and door knobs.
Workers without close contact with the infected may return to work immediately after disinfection.
If more than 7 days have passed since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary.
Continue routine cleaning and disinfection.

Room Recovery Protocol.

Air Filter and HVAC Cleaning. The frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning has been increased and fresh air exchange will be maximized.

Shared Common Kitchen (if applicable)

Access will remain available, however the number of people is restricted so that everyone can maintain appropriate distancing.
Common use items such as pots & pans, utensils, knives, flatware, dishware and drinkware will be removed from the area and individual items will be available in suite for guests use in the common kitchen area
Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, or eating utensils. Non-disposable food service items used should be handled with gloves and washed with dish soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
All non-disposable food service items must be washed, dried, and returned to the unit by the guest.
People who are sick, their fellow guests, and those who have higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should eat or be fed in their room, whenever possible.
Guests are required to wash hands thoroughly before and after using the common kitchen space.
Disposable gloves will be provided for guests in the common kitchen to reduce the potential spread of germs and bacteria.
A hand sanitizer wipe dispenser will be provided for all guests to thoroughly clean and sanitize after their use of the common kitchen space.
Automatic hand sanitizer dispensers will be available in visible space for constant hand hygiene practices.
All food and beverage items (perishable or non-perishable that are stored in the common kitchen refrigerator or freezer must be individually stored with provided plastic, sealable ziploc bags and labeled properly.
Common kitchen areas will be cleaned and sanitized regularly on a daily basis by Maverick Suites cleaning staff.

Cleaners are to remove gloves and wash their hands immediately after the completion of cleaning. They must then wash their hands, and begin the process of disinfecting. Once the cleaning of all previously mentioned surfaces have been completed, sanitation of all stated surfaces must be completed using provided 99.9% germ disinfecting products.

Maverick Suites has assembled this cleaning and sanitation guide with care and attention to detail to ensure best practices throughout our properties. In this ever changing climate we strive to provide the best to those staying with us. We feel that transparency and forward thinking procedures will help give comfort to our guests and help them safe staying with us. Our highest priority remains, as always, the safety and wellbeing of those entering any of our locations.

COVID-19 Travel Alert

In accordance with Governor Baker’s guidance, those traveling to Massachusetts are instructed to self-quarantine for 14-days due to COVID-19.

This does not apply to essential workers or those traveling from the surrounding states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York and New Jersey.

For more details about our specific cleaning and sanitation process at Maverick Suites by reaching out to us at reserve@staywithmaverick.com

We look forward to your next stay!