Hotel reopens to new norm

Penang tourism, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin (second left) and Iconic Group founder and chairman Datuk Tan Kean Tet (second right) checking out one of the hotel rooms. (Left) The entrance of the hotel in Bukit Mertajam.

While many hotels are closed due to the impact of Covid-19, a hotel in Bukit Mertajam in Penang has opened its doors with the hope of reviving the stalled tourism industry.

The hotel’s director of sales Khor Bee Ai said they outlined strict standing operating procedures for all the employees to follow after it reopened on Monday.

She added that all guests were required to check in via Penang Contact Tracer (PGCare) before entering.

“Guests and visitors will have their temperature taken.

“We have prepared hand sanitisers at all entrances and contact areas.

“Frequent contact surfaces like door handles, handrails and lift buttons will be sanitised every two hours.

“We are also providing disposable face masks for guests staying at the hotel along with soft and comfortable disposable pillow cases.

“After the guests have checked out, deep-cleaning and disinfection misting will be performed at every corner of the room,” she said in an interview.

Khor said the hotel’s sauna room, gym and swimming pool were still closed temporarily to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

“Our restaurant is open with the seating rearranged to ensure all dine-in guests maintain a safe social distance of at least two metres apart.

“Diners are required to have their temperature taken before entering and they have to check in via PGCare,” she said.

Khor said all employees would have their temperature taken prior to clocking in for work.

“Reception staff will wear face masks and gloves while on duty.

“Those from other departments also have to wear face masks.

“Only about 60% of our staff are back at work daily on a rotational basis,” she added.

She said that during the MCO, the hotel took time to review, restructure and reorganise its business module so it could adapt to the new norm.

“Covid-19 has brought us to our knees, affecting not just the hotel sector but every other industry as well.

“But we believe we can ride out this tough time together,” Khor said.