KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians returning from abroad who are undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated hotels need not pay additional charges, said the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH).
Its chief executive officer Yap Lip Seng said the government had set a maximum rate of RM150 that it would pay, including for those quarantined at five-star hotels.
Hence, there was no need to pay for additional charges.
“There are no additional charges imposed on occupants and this is not a subsidy system. A budget has been set by the government as reported, with a rate of RM150 a day and the management of the hotels have agreed to this, regardless of their star-rating.
“This is part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR),” he told Berita Harian today.
Yap said the selection of hotels was made after checks were conducted by the Health Ministry and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
He said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, with the cooperation of the association then contacted the respective hotel managements to allow their facilities to be used for the isolation purpose.
He said the selection was also subjected to the availability of rooms, regardless of their categories, which included three meals a day, depending on the government allocation.
On the issue of surveillance, Yap said most of the hotels were equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at every floor and individuals in quarantine were required to remain in their respective rooms by the Health Ministry.
“The hotel management is also being assisted by the authorities. Upon arrival, all guests are escorted to their assigned rooms and no one is allowed to leave.
“Room service is not provided while food will be placed near the door to their rooms. Hotel management will replenish necessities that will also be placed outside the door,” he said.
He added the authorities would designate hotels for those arriving in Malaysia by taking into consideration the logistics.
Yap said hotel-related services were provided by its staff while the authorities, with the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel, would provide assistance and carry out monitoring activities.
He said laundry services for occupants under quarantine were provided by concessionaires appointed by the Health Ministry.
“The public should be wary of space-sharing like Airbnb in housing schemes that were not registered or have no control over who or where the occupants come from,” he said.
On complaints of unkempt hotel in Jalan Chow Kit by some placed there as reported by the Malay Mail, Yap said MAH had advised the management of the premises to maintain the standard of cleanliness, even if the facilities were not used for quarantine.
Yap also clarified a report by Free Malaysia Today which said MAH was unaware of the RM150 subsidy, saying that it was inaccurate.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said the government would only cover up to RM150 per room daily, while other costs were to be borne by those quarantined.