HOTELS in the central region of Sarawak will soon only receive vaccinated guests in order to protect the hotels and protect their guests from Covid-19.
Sarawak Central Region Hotel Association vice chairman Lang Jai Lee said a similar policy has been put in place for employees as a requirement before they can report to work.
“Under the new normal, we have no choice but to tell our employees that they need to be vaccinated against Covid-19, otherwise they will not be able to work in the hotel industry,” he said.
As a result of such a tough decision, he said almost all hotel employees received the Covid-19 vaccine.
Those who don’t are those who have medical problems like allergy problems.
However, he believes this group of employees would agree to vaccinate soon.
“Guests, be they guests or guests who move into the room, must present either their digital MySejahtera vaccination card or their vaccination record before they can check into the hotel.
“The local council implemented such a decision for the Sibu Central Market on August 1st and we will follow suit,” he said, adding that those who could not provide proof of vaccination would be dismissed.
Lang said the decision was necessary to prevent hotels from suffering further if they had to close for up to 14 days in the event a guest was found to be Covid-19 positive.
“Hotels in the region have been closed for more than a year due to the pandemic and although some have been used as quarantine centers, most hotels are suffering.
“We cannot afford to close again if a positive case is found among the guests,” he said.
As the state enters the third phase of the national recovery plan with the exception of the southern Kuching, Serian, Bau and Samarahan regions, he said the industry will slowly pick up once everyone is on the recovery path.
