As the UK begins to plan for life-after-lockdown, the Youth Hostel Association is putting in place guidelines for how it too may reopen.

Current Government guidance indicates the hospitality sector is expected to begin reopening from July 4, and the YHA is looking forward to reopening its properties too.

It has said that it wants to implement a phased return, beginning at the start of the summer holidays. Although it insists it will only reopen properties once it is confident they can reopen safely and that the public and the community wants them to.

A spokesman for YHA said: “Our plan, is to begin a phased reopening of selected properties from the start of the summer holidays in July - so long as the government maintains that we can, and we meet the criteria and standards we have set for ourselves.

“These criteria include that we are confident we can open safely; that the public and our partners in the communities we are located in are supportive; and that we can do so viably in a way that safeguards our charity for the future.”

For youth hostels in Cumbria this could mean a very different way of operating for staff, volunteers and service users.

The spokesman explained: “Our Cumbrian hostels will be available for exclusive hire throughout the summer: normally this is just a winter product.

“Beds in dorms (shared rooms) won’t be an option but people will be able to book a private room.

“Our bigger hostels like Ambleside and Keswick can accommodate this, as private en suite rooms were a focus of their major refurbishment.”

The changes are expected to last for a number of months, with social distancing a requirement.

The YHA says it may only be able to offer certain room types in properties that can accommodate physical separation and is also looking at reopening others as exclusive hire properties.

It is thought the effects of the coronavirus pandemic will impact on the organisation for quite some time.

The spokesman said: “Looking further forward, there is no doubt we are facing a very severe impact on YHA’s mission and finances this year and beyond.”

Visit yha.org.uk for more details as they emerge.