Covid Secure Policy
– Updated 25th January 2022
As always, Donahey’s number one priority is our guests, performers & team safety.
Donahey’s continue to work in partnership with our venue management teams towards delivering you a safe & fabulous Dancing With The Stars Weekend – something we are all very much looking forward to right now.
We know some of you simply can’t wait to get back onto the dancefloor and take part in fabulous workshops and enjoy breathtaking showcases with the Stars.
Our Resort Hotels are all designated ‘Good to Go’, the industry issued standard that confirms a venue has COVID-safe policies in place. Over the past few months all our venues have returned to providing safe & successful indoor events, operating at normal capacity with dancing allowed.
Covid Pass
To provide reassurance to all our guests that we are providing a safe event for you to enjoy, at registration we will be asking guests to show;
• Proof they are fully vaccinated or have medical exemption.
AND;
• Proof of a negative NHS Lateral Flow Test (LFT) taken on the day of arrival.
These measures are in place to help reassure you our valued guests, plus our performers and team, that you and the people around you are protected as best as possible. These measures form part of the government’s latest guidance regarding mixing in indoor spaces in England, and to comply with Welsh government legislation for indoor events.
Once presented, guests will be free to enter the Ballrooms throughout their stay.
Lateral flow tests are freely available by;
Collecting in person from Pharmacies across England.
Ordering in advance for home delivery; https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
Collected from one of many NHS sites; https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site
We advise guests pack spare LFT’s for additional testing Sunday morning and also in the case of feeling unwell at any point or leaving the resort during your break.
You can also report your test results by calling NHS Test & Trace (T&T) helpline: 119
You will then receive a text message & email from NHS Test and Trace or a notification on the NHS app which you will need to present at registration.
Alternatively, a date stamped photo of the test cartridge taken on your smartphone will be accepted .
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
This can be either in digital or printed format (a screenshot is fine) and must be an official certificate of vaccine status issued by your local health authority (e.g. NHS England).
Please note that the record card that is given out at the time of vaccination will not be accepted as proof of your vaccination status.
You can get an NHS COVID Pass if you were vaccinated in Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Isle of Man and are permanently registered with a UK GP
Please visit your relevant NHS or local health authority website for full details of how to obtain an official record of your vaccine status in advance (please note that some authorities require up to 10 days to process applications to receive postal certificates).
Guests can order an NHS COVID Pass from the NHS UK website. The pass can be downloaded or printed. If you cannot get a digital pass, you can request a paper version by calling NHS on 0300 303 5667 between 9am and 6pm.
Guests in England can download the NHS app, register with their NHS number and photo ID and gain access to ‘Get your NHS COVID Pass’ – this allows you to download a PDF copy of your vaccine record and/or to request to receive an offline copy by email. Alternatively to prove your vaccination status you can show a screenshot of your vaccination details which appear below your unique 2D barcode within the app. This shows the details of each vaccination and the date given – please note that there are two different screens for vaccination 1 and 2. We are unable to scan the 2D barcode within the app; the team need to see the information shown below the 2D barcode which confirms the dates of vaccination. Please register for the NHS app well in advance as NHS app accounts can take up to 14 days to approve. If using the app, in case of any connectivity issues we’d recommend taking a screenshot so that you can easily show this at registration.
Proof of natural immunity can be shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period, which needs to be a minimum of 10 days since the positive PCR test result.
Please visit the following websites for more information relating to the acceptable formats for proof.
England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-status
We will accept the digital or printed version of the NHS England COVID-19 Pass.
Wales: https://gov.wales/get-nhs-covid-pass-show-your-vaccination-status-travel
We will accept the digital or printed version of the NHS COVID-19 Pass accessed via the NHS website (nhs.uk). Currently, you cannot use the NHS app to get the NHS COVID pass if you live in Wales.
Scotland: https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/after-your-vaccine/get-a-record-of-your-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-status
We will accept the printed or digital version of the NHS Scotland vaccination status record.
Northern Ireland: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/news/vaccine-certification-faqs
We will accept the printed or digital version of the official Department of Health proof of vaccination document.
Jersey: https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/CovidStatus.aspx
We will accept Jersey’s COVID-19 Status Certificate distributed to all vaccinated islanders.
Guernsey: https://covid19.gov.gg/faqs/july
We will accept Guernsey’s official proof of vaccination letter distributed to all vaccinated islanders.
Isle of Man: https://www.gov.im/covid19vaxcertificate
We will accept the digital or printed version of the NHS England COVID-19 Pass.
Europe: https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/safe-covid-19-vaccines-europeans/eu-digital-covid-certificate_en
We will accept the EU digital COVID-19 certificate.
Vaccine trials: Guests who have participated in an official UK Vaccine Trial
We will accept the official letter distributed to all participants confirming Vaccine Trial status.
Armed Forces: We will accept documented record of vaccination from the armed forces.
You can apply for proof that you have a medical reason why you should not be vaccinated or why you should not be vaccinated and tested.
If you get this proof of medical exemption you’ll be able to use the NHS COVID Pass wherever you need to prove your COVID-19 status within England.
For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-medical-exemptions-proving-you-are-unable-to-get-vaccinated
We confirm Donahey's will not retain any personal data, or make record of any personal data as a result of those visual checks.
We absolutely confirm Donahey's will not be ‘processing’ any special category data under UK GDPR.
Donahey’s continue to monitor all UK Government guidelines in relation to indoor seated events of 300-400 guests, please rest assured Donahey’s will always be following the latest UK government guidelines and regulations.
From 17th May 2021 onwards, Hotel chains such as Warner Breaks & TLH Leisure, plus UK Leisure Break providers such as GN Holiday’s are all resuming their ‘Entertainment Leisure Breaks’ in line with current UK government guidelines.
Covid Secure Measures
All guests have a shared responsibility in the safety of our break. As the situation evolves, so will our approach to keeping you safe. We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we manage this and ask that you check back here for updates.
Exact COVID-safe measures that will be in place will be announced prior to your attendance. Until then, here’s an idea of what it could look like based on current in resort COVID-safe measures:
FACE COVERINGS
In line with current government legislation; Face coverings must be worn, unless exempt, when moving through indoor public areas. Face masks may be removed when dancing in the ballrooms or when seated to eat or drink in restaurants, bars & ballrooms.
HAND SANITISER
Please regularly use the hand sanitisation stations that can be found in all public areas, entrances to ballrooms and on your ballroom tables.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
We ask that you still maintain a respectful distance when queuing and moving around resort.
VENUE CAPACITY
Our venues are now operating at normal capacity with table-sharing and dancing allowed. Those of you who have attended previously know, we keep numbers to a comfortable level with plenty of space to dance.
BALLROOM VENTILATION
Windows & doors opened for fresh air circulation in the ballrooms.
CLEANING MEASURES
Cleaning protocols in bedrooms and all public areas are strengthened to focus on High Impact Touchpoint (HIT) cleaning across the resorts.
SYMPTOMS & POSITIVE TESTS
Symptoms which won’t be accepted at the event include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, and sudden loss of taste or smell. If you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, you should not travel. More information can be found here on the NHS website www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/main-symptoms/
CASHLESS
Our venues no longer accept cash or cheque payments. Payments can be made contactless via card or room charge. Celtic Manor has a mobile app for payments also.
Covid Secure Policies
Safety measures will be in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all our guests, performers and team. You can view each of our Resort Hotels current Covid-19 safety measures & policies here;
www.altontowers.com/plan-your-visit/coronavirus/
www.devere.co.uk/wellbeing/
www.celtic-manor.com/about-your-stay
We will keep in touch with all our guests to keep you fully informed and the enhanced safety measures that Donahey’s and our Resort Hotels will have in place.
Please bear with us as we try to balance and implement the ever changing guidance and regulations, with our desire to provide a warm and friendly welcome to all of you who have chosen to join us.
Booking Cancellation Policy
What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking upto 10-weeks prior to your break
Upto 10-weeks prior to your confirmed break we are more than happy to offer you a transfer to any of our 2022 Dancing With The Stars Weekends.
There would be a small £25pp administration fee to cover the administration involved in your booking transfer.
If you did wish to fully cancel your booking, the cancellation fee would be the £100pp non-returnable deposit.
What if you wish to cancel or postpone your booking from 10-weeks prior to your break
100% package rate cancellation charge would apply.
What if your break can go ahead, but as a result of Self-Isolation or Local Government Restrictions you are unable to join us?
Donahey’s are organising a Weekend Leisure Break with limited places available, plus due to social distancing requirements we now have even fewer places available.
To maintain the commercial viability of running our Weekend Breaks with the Strictly Stars and the enormous costs associated with putting on these breaks, unfortunately we are unable to offer refunds or postponement if guests become unable to travel due to Covid-19 and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines. This would become a matter for guests personal Travel Insurance.
If the government imposes restrictions that prevent you from travelling, and the Weekend Break is still able to go ahead under national & local guidelines, this would become a matter for your personal travel insurance.
At 10-weeks prior bedrooms are directly contracted with the Resort Hotel and paid for in full on your behalf, which is our contractual obligation to the Resort Hotels. Unfortunately we would be unable to replace your booking at such short notice.
Personal Travel Insurance policies which includes additional Covid Protection are now available at relatively low cost.
StaySure, LV, AA & CoverForYou offer extensive policies. Donahey’s recommends an online search or call to your preferred Travel Insurance provider to discuss your requirements and confirm you are happy with the inclusive Covid cover they offer.
Examples would include but are not limited too;
• A Positive Covid Test
• Feeling Unwell
• Covid Symptoms
• Local travel restrictions
• Quarantine restrictions
• Self Isolation requirements
If you already have an annual travel insurance policy, please confirm with your provider they have included Covid Protection cover.
In line with most UK holiday operators, Donahey’s requires guests take out appropriate UK Travel Insurance which covers cancellation due to Covid-19.
For such a low price and your added peace of mind, we strongly advise taking out this protection. Many holiday operators are offering this enhanced Covid Protection cover at an add-on price, unfortunately Donahey’s is not licenced to sell Insurance Policies, and are therefore unable to offer this additional paid for cover, our apologies.
What if your Dancing With The Stars Weekend cannot go ahead?
Should our Dancing With The Stars Weekend be postponed due to local or national Covid-19 restrictions affecting the resort hotels locality, we will offer you a no cost transfer to the following years Dancing With The Stars Weekend at the same venue, over the same weekend next year.
You may instead choose to switch to a different weekend or venue the following year – the choice is yours.
Alternatively, if the postponed dates don’t work for you we will offer you a full & immediate refund less a booking fee towards the direct costs incurred with your booking.
We would of course love you to continue to enjoy looking forward to spending a weekend with the Strictly Stars, so all 2022 supplier cost increases will be absorbed on postponed bookings.
