Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 12) — The chief of the Department of Tourism on Tuesday warned they will order the closure of hotels, which continue to accept bookings for both quarantine and leisure purposes even after they were told not to.
Accommodation establishments being used as quarantine facilities cannot accept bookings for leisure purposes to limit possible infections.
DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat noted they have been receiving complaints that several hotels, which are only allowed to operate as quarantine facilities, accept staycations. She refused to name the hotels until a decision on the complaints against them is reached.
“Marami ‘yan. Hindi lang naman sa NCR eh. Maraming nagrereklamo actually,” the tourism chief said in a briefing.
[Translation: There are a lot of them, not only in NCR but also areas outside it. A lot of people are complaining to us.]
“Nagbigay na kami ng warning sa kanila pero kung gawin pa nila ulit, ipapasara na sila. Sobra na eh,” Romulo-Puyat added.
[Translation: We already warned them and if they continue to accept staycation guests, they will be ordered closed. It is too much.]
Puyat suggested to establishments to apply for a permit to operate as a staycation hotel amid the pandemic instead of violating COVID-19 protocols, which she said could have serious repercussions. She noted only four-star and five-star hotels are listed as staycation establishments for now, as there is a high demand for quarantine facilities. She added only 15 hotels are currently authorized to accept staycations.
“Is that all greed? Baka bumagsak na naman tayo sa MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) dahil sa kapabayaan ninyo. Now kung gusto mag open for leisure, mag-apply kayo as staycation hotel,” Romulo-Puyat said, addressing non-compliant hotels.
[Translation: We might end up going back to MECQ because of your neglect. Now, if you want to open for leisure [purposes], then apply as a staycation hotel.]
Romulo-Puyat also reminded the public that holding weddings in hotels in areas under general community quarantine is not allowed.
“Bawal ang wedding sa GCQ. Bawal ang nagpapa-make up sa [hotels],” she said.
[Translation: Weddings in GCQ areas are not allowed. Providing make-up services in hotels is prohibited.]
