Hotel care centres reach max capacity
Sri Lankans are currently on the waiting lists of hospitals seeking a bed in hotels to be quarantined as the hotels are running to full capacity at present since the beginning of this month as more open up increasing the number of beds in intermediate care centres (ICC-hotels).
At present almost all 4000 hotel beds are taken up and more hotels from Dambulla, Gampaha and Kalutara will join the scheme of ICCs since there is a growing demand and they are currently reaching maximum capacity, Tourist Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte told the Business Times.
“It’s a noble thing what hoteliers have done in joining the country’s efforts and engaging in providing services in the need of the hour,” he said.
Upon checking in, doctors ascertain where they will be sent either to stay in a room or a hospital depending on each patient’s condition, it was noted.
He also explained that at his Mt. Lavinia Hotel, staff is operating under a two week bubble with PCRs carried out when checking in or out.
Moreover, the hotel staff has been vaccinated, Mr. Ukwatte said adding that those not yet vaccinated are not yet called to work. This is carried out to ensure that maximum precautions are taken by the hotel.
These care centres are providing a great convenience to the people seeking a place to stay to quarantine, he noted.
However, hoteliers are finding out that with guests staying long periods inside the rooms, this has caused more wear and tear of the rooms compared to normal hotel operations. As a result the costs of maintenance have increased for hotels ever since they were converted to care centres,
Mr. Ukwatte said.
Jetwing Chairman Hiran Cooray said that they are aware of some persons kept on a waiting list as well that is maintained by the hospital staff.
He noted that they work with Ninewells Hospitals for their ICC at Jetwing Beach in Negombo and all reservations are handled by the hospital.
Since August 2 the care centre had started to increase the numbers of persons obtaining reservations and now it has reached maximum capacity, Mr. Cooray said.
With two doctors and five nurses the hotel staff is only involved in providing cleaning and food facilities including accommodation for the medical staff as well.
At present there are about 150 people in-house, Mr. Cooray said adding that most of them stay for a period of about 14 days and at present all 75 rooms opened for these services are occupied.