The trade-only bed bank has announced a new partnership with its existing health and safety partner, Intertek Cristal Standards, to devise a list of minimum standards based on WHO recommendations, along with input from Intertek.

All 30,000-plus contracted hotels will be invited to participate in the scheme, which will cover hotel cleaning, infection control, hand and respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and changes to public areas to accommodate and encourage better practices.

"Achieving the criteria will enable hotels to demonstrate to guests and the wider travel market that suitable controls have been implemented to prevent the spread of infection," said WebBeds.

Hotels will also be offered the opportunity to work with Intertek to become independently certified with to POSI-Check, prevention of spread of infection, standard.

This covers staff training, implementation of POSI protocols, ongoing auditing of standards, surface testing, and RoomCheck audits to monitor the effective cleaning standards involved in housekeeping.

Nigel Horne, WebBeds chief executive Europe, said: “We understand the concerns of our travel trade partners in needing reassurance that the hotels they choose for their travellers are of an excellent standard of cleanliness and preparedness in protecting against, or dealing with, Covid-19.

"At the same time, providing our hotel partners with clear, consistent standards to achieve provides them with confidence that they are investing in the right actions to ensure guests experience a safe and enjoyable stay."