COVID-19: Hoteliers in Jos groan under lockdown
Hoteliers in Jos on Tuesday said that their operations have been grounded due to the COVID-19 and by measures adopted to contain the spread of the global pandemic in Plateau state.
Some of the hoteliers interviewed said that despite the lull in their operations, they are fully complying with directives from the authorities to contain the spread of the virus.
Manager, Crest Hotel Jos, Mr. Thomas Willie, said that the pandemic has adversely affected the hotel and hospitality sector, as business was on an unprecedented downturn.
“Most of the reservations were either postponed or cancelled outrightly because of the coronavirus issue.
“With the lockdown of the state in the last one week, the situation is even worse as nobody is coming in at all.
“The few guests we have at the moment are military personnel or health workers that came into the state,” he said.
Willie however, explained that prior to the lockdown, the hotel had put in place some preventive measures to safeguard the staff and guests.
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The manager explained that hotel provided running water and soap at the gate for hand washing as well as hand sanitisers.
He added that face masks were also provided by the hotel for those that do not have.
According to him, social distancing was equally maintained by staff as they attend to customers.
As a result of the lull in business, Willie said that the hotel management allowed half of its staff to stay at home while half work and they took turns weekly.
This, he said was particularly to reduce the crowd since the number of guests had drastically reduced.
The Manager, Elim Top Suites Jos, Mr. Dauda Tahir, said that the hotel management had to ask the hotel staff to stay at home during the total lockdown period.
Tahir said that only security and some few hands, especially the house keepers, were around to ensure that the place remained clean and safe.
“All the guests left, except a handful of military personnel and health workers that are in the state for special assignments,” he said.
According to him, the hotel also keep close watch on the guests for any signs of ill-health related with COVID-19.
Mr Nanmier Zamkek, manager, Plateau Hotel, said that the hotel is on complete lockdown and not receiving any guest till further notice.
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