GEORGE TOWN: Hotels in Penang are beginning to see some bookings this weekend following the announcement on the relaxation of restrictions in the social sector for states under Phases 2 and 3 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chairman K. Raj Kumar said some beach, city and business hotels in the state were registering up to five per cent in room bookings this weekend.
He expected the room bookings to pick up next week.
"This is a good start for the industry and we are beginning to see some numbers after being out of business for months due to the numerous movement restrictions in place. We will only be able to see the exact numbers next week.
"For now, the people are still very cautious following the increasing number of positive Covid-19 cases in recent weeks," he told the New Straits Times.
Beginning Tuesday, tourism activities involving homestays and hotels within the same state were allowed for fully vaccinated individuals in states under Phases 2 and 3 of the NRP.
Last Sunday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced a relaxation of conditions for fully-vaccinated people, including dine-ins and tourism activities.
He said the government was ready to provide privileges to individuals who were fully vaccinated after taking into consideration feedback from the Health Ministry, adding that the decision was made carefully and in line with data gathered in the country on the effectiveness of full vaccination, as well as public health measures adopted globally.
According to Raj Kumar, the nod given for tourism activities should come with a bit of leeway, such as the use of a swimming pool in limited numbers as well as going to the beach (for beach hotels).
"Without such leeway, why would the people of Penang want to stay in the hotels rather than their own homes? All this needs to be considered," he added.
As for dine-ins, Raj Kumar said the people too were still cautious and preferred for those working in restaurants to at least receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
"I have told the hotels to display the list of staff who have received at least the first dose or those fully vaccinated. Then, we can allow the customers to make their own decisions whether to dine-in or otherwise.
"It is not that the staff doesn't want to be vaccinated but it takes time and depending on the arrival of vaccine supplies," he said, adding that most in the hotel line were administered with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Raj Kumar, however, assured that all hotels strictly adhered to the standard operating procedures (SOP) put in place at all times.
The general manager of The Light Hotel, Seberang Jaya said, at his hotel, those working in restaurants needed to have their mask, face shield and glove on at all times.
He added that every three hours, sanitisation would be carried out in the main areas in the hotel.
"All this is done to ensure the safety and comfort of out guests, and we are not taking any chances," he added.
Out of the 100 member hotel in MAH Penang, more than 20 of the member hotel are temporarily closed due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.