Hotels asked to lower down rates amid Covid-19 scare

All hotels and other accommodation establishments were also temporarily prohibited from operating except for foreigners with existing bookings under as of March 17, 2020; long staying guests with existing bookings as of March 17, 2020; and guests who are employees of supermarkets, hospitals, medical facilities, utility companies, BPOs, and the like. New bookings of only these guests are allowed. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Wednesday called on all accommodation establishments exempted from the enhanced community quarantine to reduce rates for health workers and other frontliners.

“Everyone’s cooperation is needed at this time to help flatten the curve. Let us help those who cannot stay at home, those who work at the front lines every day,” Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

Luzon island is placed under an enhanced community quarantine wherein mass public transport is suspended.

All hotels and other accommodation establishments were also temporarily prohibited from operating except for foreigners with existing bookings under as of March 17, 2020; long staying guests with existing bookings as of March 17, 2020; and guests who are employees of supermarkets, hospitals, medical facilities, utility companies, BPOs, and the like. New bookings of only these guests are allowed.

In its updated guidelines, DOT said all accommodation establishments that were allowed to operate must regularly report about the number of their staff comprising its skeleton crew, and details about their guests.

“Said hotels are also expected to maintain limited operations and staff, ensure proper sanitation and disinfection, and implement social distancing measures,” the agency said.