Gaylord Hotels will be the first Marriott brand to offer new health protocols in January 2021.

These optional health protocols build on initiatives already in place as part of the recent launch of "Connect with Confidence", a program that allows professionals to identify and tailor solutions that best meet the needs of their participants.

Groups will be able to select health protocols for their meetings and events at Gaylord Hotels and Resorts in Florida, Tennessee, Texas and Colorado beginning in January 2021. In the following weeks, the health protocols should be available for selection at select other Marriott brand hotels across the United States.

Among the protocols to be considered:

Customer self-administered COVID-19 testing prior to travel

COVID-19 test administered by a third party test provider on-site at the hotel

Daily and/or pre-arrival screening questions via a dedicated mobile application

Daily temperature checks to enter the event area

Marriott introduced its Global Cleanliness Council and Commitment to Clean earlier this year. The new health options will supplement existing protocols and features already in place at Marriott hotels in the United States, including guest and associate face covering requirements, social distancing policies, reduced seating capacity for meetings, frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, hand sanitizing stations throughout the hotel, mobile technology and hybrid meeting options.

These new health protocols provide options for meeting professionals as they plan and host meetings, conferences, and events. Building upon the work of our Global Cleanliness Council, we engaged industry-leading experts and through a thorough review process, identified third party providers capable of offering the health protocols that meeting professionals want and need for future events.

said Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales Organization for Marriott International.