The move comes after the Department of Tourism (DOT) suspended the hotel’s accreditation for its failure to prevent Gwyneth Anne Chua from leaving its premises and skipping mandatory isolation.
No legal basis?
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6)— The local government of Makati has shut down the Berjaya Hotel over an alleged COVID-19 protocol breach involving a returning Filipino who was supposed to be quarantined in the facility.
The LGU issued the closure order on Thursday.
Makati City LGU shuts down Berjaya Hotel after it failed to stop a returning Filipino from skipping mandatory quarantine in the facility https://t.co/Y5FkjfXZt4
📸 Steven Lichauco/CNN Philippines pic.twitter.com/K7HxOwlsfZ
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 6, 2022
The Berjaya hotel, however, slammed the LGU’s move, saying it has no legal basis. It argued that the DOT’s order was not yet in effect since the management was given time to appeal.
“The DOT order is not yet final as the hotel will appeal it within the 15-day period it is given,” the hotel said in a statement. “We must be accorded due process and be allowed to explain before any penalty is imposed.”
The management also lamented the sudden suspension of operations, which it said would affect dozens of guests undergoing quarantine.
“If we close down the hotel immediately, where do we send our present quarantine guests? We have 18 guests who have tested positive and who have yet to be pulled out by the Bureau of Quarantine, and 80 who are in the middle of their quarantine,” the hotel noted.
“We also have around 20 quarantine guests per week coming in and have paid in advance. The inconvenience to the public is incalculable, unnecessary and preventable,” it added.
But the Makati LGU stressed that prior to closure, the hotel was already advised to coordinate with the Bureau of Quarantine to help transfer its guests to other facilities.
City spokesperson Atty. Don Camiña said local officials also offered their assistance on the matter.
Chua — dubbed the “Poblacion girl” on social media — made headlines after she was seen attending gatherings at the Makati area known for its bars despite the isolation rule. She turned out to be positive for COVID-19, with several of her contacts also catching the virus.
The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has filed a complaint against Chua, her parents, and some hotel personnel over the violation.
