With the country going into the endemic stage, Penang will follow suit to not have any more quarantine hotels in the state.
The move is expected to bring the hospitality industry back on its feet after being casted over a bleak shadow by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, YB Yeoh Soon Hin said that hotels that were previously transformed into Low Risk Covid-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC) are now back in regular business as home isolation is now permitted for Covid-19 positive patients, also the government-run PKRCs are still sufficient to accommodate patients.
“There is only one government-run PKRCs in Penang which are Mara Education Center (MEC) Jawi.
“Based on data on March 10, 2022, shows that the occupancy rate of MEC is 34% while the occupancy rate of Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang and Blok Pergigian Hospital Pulau Pinang remains at 0%.
“Figures on 10 March also shows that patients receiving treatment in hospital wards at Hospital Pulau Pinang is at 70%, Hospital Kepala Batas (69%), and Hospital Sungai Bakap (67%),” said Yeoh in a press statement.
He also added that after a prolonged period of stagnation during the MCO, the hotel industry is now gaining momentum again through domestic business and tourism activities.
“Hence, hotels in Penang are back at what they do best, which is to provide exemplary hospitality services to customers,” he added.
He also added that the hospitality industry is prepared with strict adherence of health protocols and safety measures during his recent visit to hotels.