KUCHING, May 13: All hotels and lodging houses in Sarawak are allowed to open for business with effect from May 12.
However, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak in a statement today, hotels which have been gazetted as Covid-19 Quarantine Stations are not allowed to check in new guests, unless their status as quarantine stations have been revoked by way of the necessary gazette notification.
“The management of hotels that are allowed to resume business must ensure appropriate social distancing between guests and provide necessary hand sanitisers. Use of appropriate masks by employees and guests must be ensured at all time. All safety, health directives and standard operating procedures (SOP) of the health authorities must be strictly complied with.
“Common facilities such as gymnasium, swimming pools, prayer rooms, sauna, spa, business centres, conference halls and meeting rooms are not allowed to be used,” it minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
Restaurants and cafeteria in the hotels are allowed to operate from 7am until 10pm for take away, delivery, room service and ala carte dine in only.
The dine in is subject to the requirements of social distancing of seating arrangements and no buffet meals are allowed.
Meanwhile, guests in the hotels are to remain in their respective rooms and are not allowed to gather or assemble anywhere in the hotel premises during their stay.
Hotel management has to report to the Health Department of any staff or guests whom they have come to know to have been infected with Covid-19 without delay.
A copy of the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) on Hotel Operation during Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) is available for download at mtac.sarawak.gov.my.—DayakDaily