REVIEW SITES HAVE CHANGED WITH THE PANDEMIC TIMES

COVID safety steps, restrictions are now prioritized essentials

BY HANNAH SAMPSON

Google When searching for flights and hotels on the search engine, Google will include information about advisories or restrictions about the destination. Results will also show the percentage of flights operating and the hotels that have availability. As of earlier this year, travel advisories that appear during the search process also include immunization requirements for a destination and allow users to opt in for updates if that travel guidance changes.

In Google Maps, in addition to getting directions and finding businesses in an area, a “COVID layer tool provides information about how COVID-19 cases are trending in the area. Safety precautions in place at local businesses are also provided, as well as coronavirus-related alerts for driving and taking public transportation

Tripadvisor

The company’s “Travel Safe tools launched in June 2020 to allow hotel and restaurant owners to share their safety measures, including requirements on mask-wearing and social distancing. Consumers can use a search filter to find businesses that include those precautions.

“As travel restrictions ease, hospitality businesses must recognize the changing expectations from con- sumers around safety and cleanliness,” chief commercial officer Kanika Soni said in a statement in 2020.

“That is why Travel Safe will be such a vital tool. It will provide consumers with the information and reassurance they need when they travel, while allowing businesses to build trust by highlighting the concrete steps they are taking to keep their customers safe.” New this year businesses can also include whether their employees are fully vaccinated, if proof of vaccination is required for guests and if masks are required for customers who are not fully vaccinated. The company will also take down reviews if users