Containing the rising spread

Spraying to be safe: A staff at a budget hotel in Seberang Jaya sanitising a room before guests check in. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: With the rise in Covid-19 cases recently, hotels and eateries here are not taking anything for granted and have reinstated or continued with standard measures to prevent transmission of the disease during the coming holiday and festive season.

Prestige Hotel general manager Melvin Ooi said other than advising guests to be masked, his staff and personnel were still practising some of the standard measures as they anticipate a jam-packed holiday season.

“We still wear masks at all times as a precautionary measure to minimise the risk of Covid-19 and the spread of any other illnesses at the workplace,” he said.

ALSO READ : Covid-19 quarantine days now five, not seven

Ooi, however, said the management has allowed their staff the flexibility to remove their masks, but keep a certain distance when communicating with each other.

“In terms of hygiene, our housekeeping department is using suitable chemicals for their daily cleaning.

“We also sanitise the premises and rooms every time guests check out,” he said.

Iconic Hotel general manager Kevin Cheah said while it was not compulsory for guests to be masked, they would be advised to wear them.

“All our staff have continued to adopt the Covid-19 SOP (standard operating procedure) to curb the virus and maintain the standard of hygiene at the hotel.

“Our food and beverage department staff will wear masks and gloves.

“It is optional for those at the front office, while at strategic areas in the hotel, we will make sure the sanitising kit is there, especially at the lift and public areas,” he said.

Malaysian Association of Hotels’ Penang chairman Datuk Tony Goh said most hotels here have been upholding good hygiene standards even after Covid-19 cases dropped earlier in the year.

“I think most of them still maintained the new norm.

“Holidaymakers have nothing to fear when they visit Penang as all the necessary precautions have been taken by the hotels to contain the spread,” he said.

Meanwhile, restaurateur Shamsul Munir Safini, 39, said he has prepared hand sanitisers for his staff and customers.

“I cannot ask my customers to wear masks unless there is a directive from the government.

“However, I will make sure all my staff wear masks and gloves on the premises,” he said, adding that workers who are sick will be ordered to stay home and get medical attention.

Malaysia announced a transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19 on April 1 last year, easing some of the earlier controls and restrictions, but the pandemic status has yet to be officially lifted.