Four hotels could be used as quarantine facilities

An additional 214 rooms at four hotels have been made available to Government to be used as quarantine facilities amid mass cancellations and subsequent closures in the accommodations sector.

During a press conference at Ilaro Court on Sunday morning, Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds revealed that fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have forced 24 out of 81 hotels registered with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Authority (BHTA) to close their doors. 

Significant cancellations were triggered after Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s announcement of a mandatory 14-day quarantine period for anyone entering the island. 

While ten of those properties have chosen to renovate and another nine have opted to refurbish during the period of closure, four hotels have given preliminary consent to be used if current quarantine facilities reach their maximum capacity. 

“I would want to tell you the names of the four, but in each case, discussions are ongoing with staff and in one case, discussions with the consortium that actually owns it… and of course the Ministry of Health would also have to approve the sites. 

“So it would be a little bit previous of me to give you the names of all four. But suffice to say that up to midnight last night when I came off of the phone for the last time on this matter, we had tentatively 214 rooms available for the purposes of quarantining in hotels if the need arises. There is obviously the possibility for more to be added to the mix,” he added. 

Turning his attention to the hotels, which have agreed to continue operating despite the challenging circumstances, Symmonds noted that last Wednesday, the BHTA expressed confidence that staycations could help keep people involved.

Although Barbados is now in the midst of a stage two response to the pandemic, he encouraged citizens to assist the ailing hotel industry while carefully measuring the risks. 

“I cannot say yes or no to the idea of staycations. What I can say to you is that hotels will remain open if you are interested in doing that type of business. The question then would be about the extent to which you participate and the way in which you participate,” Symmonds told reporters. 

“Obviously, sitting at the bar all night long may not be what you wish to do. But there is no difficulty in going discreetly and having a little time with your significant other and children at the beach. It is a question of personal discretion,” he added. 

Symmonds also urged restaurants to revolutionise their operations by collaborating with dislocated taxi operators and offering more takeout and delivery options.

“Out of this dark cloud can come a lining of creativity and legacy benefits in which we reassess the way in which we do business. Clearly it would not be advisable to have restaurants packed to capacity with people because we have reached a point where we don’t want more than 25 people in a room at one time, but we can do it sensibly. 

“An element of self-policing is important and we must ensure we do not increase the in-country transmission and therefore you have to do that in a responsible and a measured way as people keep their businesses going.  (KS)