HOTELS are willing to remain as Covid-19 quarantine centres as this is generating some income during the economic crisis, said the Malaysian Association of Hotels. 

The move will help hotels that have lost clientele and are generating minimal or almost no income, said MAH chief Yap Lip Seng.

“Using hotels (as quarantine centres) assists the government in its efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“At the same time, these hotels are also helped by being able to retain jobs and employees during the pandemic when there is minimal occupancy,” Yap told The Malaysian Insight.

He dismissed concerns that guests would shun hotels that have been used as quarantine centres because there is a standard operating procedure (SOP) in place to ensure safety and hygiene.

“I don’t see this happening (impact on tourists) as hotels are following the government’s SOP.

“With cleaning and sanitisation SOP and polices in place, hotels are ready to serve at any time.”

Yap was responding to queries whether hotels are concerned about being used as quarantine centres, following Malacca’s move to prevent hotels in the state from being used for such purposes.

The state government’s decision was based on concerns that tourism would be affected, as the sector is a major contributor to its economy.

Malacca health and anti-drugs exco Rahmad Mariman said the state government would instead reopen one of two quarantine centres.

This follows Putrajaya’s decision to reimpose mandatory quarantine at designated centres and hotels on all those returning from abroad from July 24.

Prior to that, from June 10, those entering the country were allowed to self-quarantine under home surveillance orders but many flouted rules to self-isolate at home.

Yap said the hotel industry has undertaken proactive measures on its own beyond the government’s SOP to create awareness and provide more assurance to guests.

“MAH has introduced the clean and safe Malaysia hotel hygiene and safety certification programme. It goes beyond regulatory requirements and incorporates international best practices and guidelines.”

Resorts, beachside hotels doing well

Data by the Malaysian Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry show that as of February, before the movement-control order, there were 1,355 hotels nationwide, ranging from five-star to one-star establishments. 

Of the total, 141 are five-star hotels, four-star (215), three-star (367), two-star (360) and one-star (272). Cumulatively, they provide 189,797 rooms. 

Yap said currently, the average hotel occupancy stood at 29%, following the resumption of interstate travel and domestic tourism under the recovery MCO, which began on June 10.

The best performers are resorts and hotels at beach destinations, he said.

“(Hotels in) the main cities and states, such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Sabah, are still very low, with average occupancy between 12% and 20%.”

Most of MAH’s 1,000 members are owners and operators of three-star to five-star hotels in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

As a quarantine centre, Yap said a hotel would only generate minimal revenue, but it’s more important to be able to retain employees.

According to senior minister and National Security Council spokesman, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, 58 hotels in different states are being used as quarantine centres. The government is also using five of its public training institutes for similar purposes. – August 17, 2020.