Safety first as life (and business) return to a new normal ...

SAFETY and how we do things going forward will require a whole new outlook following the COVID-19 pandemic. A bespoke training programme for staff in the tourism and retail industries in the county has been rolled out by Kerry County Council and the Kerry Education and Training Board (ETB).

Over two thousand employees have already signed up for the training. It aims to ensure that Kerry tourism and retail staff are trained in infection prevention, hygiene and cleanliness and dealing with customers in the new environment to the highest international standards as they reopen for business. Business premises whose staff have completed the suite of training courses will receive the ‘Safe Destination’ badge.

The Council is also working with communities in the county to prepare for the return of visitors to the county, to ensure that residents and communities are reassured that the reopening of tourism is managed and in keeping with the national guidelines and advice.

The Safe Destination Programme will also underpin a major marketing campaign to promote Kerry – to the domestic and staycation market – as travel restrictions continue to change over the coming weeks and months.

Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell said KCC want to reassure visitors that they are safe in Kerry.

“We know that the tourism industry in Kerry is more impacted than any other in Ireland so that is why we are working to position the county to welcome visitors back to a destination which will implement and observe the highest standards of safety to restrict the spread of the coronavirus,” she said.

The Chairman of the Kerry Education and Training Board, Cllr Jim Finucane said that having staff prepared for the reopening of hotels, restaurants and bars in the coming months is critically important.

‘Kerry County Council and the Kerry Education and Training Board are providing the training which staff will need to work in the new COVID-19 environment,” he said.

President of the Kerry Branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, Bernadette Randles has also welcomed moves to make the county safer.

“As a sector, we are delighted to be piloting this training programme with Kerry County Council and the Kerry Education and Training Board. This is part of the ongoing preparation to welcome visitors back to the county and those from Kerry looking to holiday in Kerry in a safe way,” she said.

At the launch of the annual Kerry Month of Enterprise were Cathaoirleach Niall Kelliher and Kerry County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell.