The president of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Inc. urges accommodation establishments to allot “isolation” spaces to arriving guests, especially those who came from foreign countries.
Christine Ann Ibarreta, president of HSMA, made the suggestion after Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat fumed over two separate incidents in Pasay City and in Malate, Manila. It was reported that two hotels there allowed some returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to “loiter” in the lobby without using face masks, and then allowed them to go out to eat.
The safety protocol requires immediate isolation upon arrival for those coming from a foreign country.
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Ibarreta said it is time that people seriously adhere to the government’s call to ensure that health and safety measures are given priority to prevent the further spike of COVID-19 cases in the country.
“I’m enjoining everyone to please follow these health and sanitary protocols,” she said.
On Thursday, Puyat said a close relative of a returning overseas Filipino (ROF) she personally knew reported to her that a five-star hotel in Pasay City asked their guests to wait for nine hours because the hotel had been overbooked. Guests were seen “loitering” in the lobby, one even sleeping, without their masks on.
A Malate hotel had also violated the quarantine protocol by allowing the returning overseas Filipinos to go out and eat while waiting for the check-in time.
She said all guests arrived early morning Sunday.
The two separate incidents prompted the tourism secretary to send letters to all concerned tourism stakeholders, including HSMA, warning of a possible revocation of the certificate of authority to operate if the incidents will happen again.
With this, Ibaretta stressed that member hotels are responsible for taking note of the arrival dates and estimated time of arrival of guests who are to be billeted at their establishments.
“If their arrival is before 2 p.m. , we recommend that they allow early check-in to refrain exposure, charge minimal fees for half day rates, and suggest to clients to book one day ahead to ensure early check-in,” she said.
The hotel industry did not stop operations after the lockdown to assist the national government in its repatriation efforts. Hotels also serve as temporary quarantine facilities for returning Filipino who are waiting for their COVID-19 swab test results.