AS the country is set to reopen its borders to international visitors and transition itself from pandemic to endemic phase, hotels in Penang, which had earlier been converted into quarantine centres, are now resuming their hospitality business.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin had said the hotels that had been transformed into low-risk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC) are now getting their regular businesses back on track.
This came after the Federal Government had announced that the country was transitioning to endemicity phase beginning April 1.
With this, Buletin Mutiara has managed to obtain views from several Penangites on the move by quarantine hotels to get back to regular business.
Below are their views :
Johari Abdul Ghani (visually-impaired masseur)
“With the reopening of borders and Covid-19 becoming a norm within our community, there is no doubt that we need to get our respective businesses up and running.
“We have no choice, but to live with the virus as our livelihood must not be jeopardised.
“We have been facing a bleak period of about two years since the pandemic struck us in late 2019.
“Hence, we need to ensure our hospitality and tourism industry bounces back.
“In fact, a budget hotel, which is situated beside our premises here in Jalan Sungai Ujong, has also seen brisk business early this year.”
Sonny Teoh (receptionist at a budget hotel in Penang Road)
“It has been a roller-coaster ride for many of us ever since the pandemic hit us. Many businesses have been forced to close down.
“With the reopening of borders, it is a wise move by the state to ensure quarantine hotels are back to the hospitality business.
“This can be a further boost for domestic tourism as well as the hotels’ occupancy.
“As someone who is working in this industry, I am looking forward to next month as many international tourists will make their way to Penang.
“It is alright as long as the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) are maintained.”
Tham Shu Min
“The virus has been in our community for a long time, and we can only move on and prepare for our next challenge.
“We can only be vigilant and prepare ourselves for the next endemic phase.
“In fact, many victims of the Covid cases are now being isolated at home.
“It is a timely move to allow the hotels to carry out their usual businesses.”
Sun Yong Chin (businessman)
“I have no qualms staying at whichever hotel, even if it had been converted into a quarantine centre previously.
“Most importantly is that they have been sanitised properly. We need to move forward after so long of uncertainty due to Covid-19.
“As long as the hotels are practising strict SOPs, then it is alright for everyone to stay.”
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of interviewees and Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis