It’s a tough time to run a business during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially if you’re in the customer-facing line like F&B and hotels.
On one end, you have to make do with staff shortage, ensure that all rules are kept to and keep your customers and the authorities happy.
On the other end, you have to deal with customers who (sometimes) seems to make it their life mission to do your business in.
2 RWS Hotels Suspended Booking for a Month After They Failed to Follow COVID-19 Rules
On 21 Dec 2020, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) revealed that they’ve told two of RWS’s hotels to suspend bookings for a month.
They are the Beach Villas and Equarius Hotel.
The period of suspension will begin today, 22 Dec 2020, and last until 21 Jan 2020. They will only be allowed to accept bookings again the next day on 22 Jan 2020.
Which is, honestly, a killer since many are now booking staycations with their S$100 SingapoRediscovers Vouchers.
This, however, doesn’t mean the hotels are closing shop.
According to STB, while the hotels are unable to take in new reservations, they are still allowed to fulfilled whichever bookings that were previously made before the suspension.
“The two hotels are not permitted to accept new bookings for the duration of the suspension. However, they are still permitted to fulfil existing bookings.”
Failed To Keep To Covid-19 Measures
STB’s investigations revealed that on 10 Oct 2020, at least 15 people gathered at a two-storey villa at Beach Villas. Only four of the guests had registered with the hotel.
On 17 Nov, at least 16 guests had gathered in a guest room which was registered to three people.
Further findings include the hotels’ failure to ensure SafeEntry check-ins and temperature-taking for said individuals.
Investigations are still ongoing for both the hotels and individuals, and enforcement actions may be taken against them, STB added.
Not The Only Hotels In Trouble
While the RWS hotels suffer a heavier penalty, they’re not the only hotels caught by STB.
According to the agency, 10 other hotels and hostels were caught and fined for failing to ensure SafeEntry check-ins and collecting the contact details of their guests.
They are:
- Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
- Furama Riverfront Singapore
- Gap Year Hostel
- Hotel 1887
- Hotel Supreme
- Kim Tian Hotel (Han)
- One Degree 15 Marina Club
- ST Signature Jalan Besar Hotel
- ST Signature Tanjong Pagar Hotel
- Thad’s Boutique Hostel
It was highlighted that they take a strong view of such situations and will not hesitate to take “strong” enforcement actions against errant businesses and individuals.
The agency further urges everyone to keep to the Safe Management Measures to prevent another Covid-19 cluster outbreak.
It was added that more enforcement checks will be carried out by the government as Singapore prepares to enter Phase 3.
The pax limit for gatherings in Singapore still remains at 5 until 28 Dec 2020, the agency reminded.
More Measures Introduced
On 1 Dec 2020, more measures were introduced due to such incidents and the upcoming festive season.
- Guests must be informed about group size limits and penalties for non-compliance via pre-arrival email, at the point of check-in or through other forms of communication. Guests must document their acknowledgement of the information.
- Signs about group size limits and penalties must be shown clearly at lift lobbies
- Every visitor to the guest room must be pre-registered by the guest before their arrival at the hotel. Visitors must register themselves at the front desk before they can go up to the room
- The entry of every visitor must be monitored
- Records of pre-registration and monitoring of visitors must be kept for at least 28 days
- Adjoining guest rooms must deny entry to any other person if there are already 5 people in the room.
- Security patrols must be deployed to check and monitor for any suspicious behaviour observed through CCTV
First-time offenders who are caught breaching Covid-19 rules can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.
For businesses, they could face fines, temporary closure and even prosecution. They might also find themselves ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates, or any other form of assistance.
Moral of the story? Follow the Covid-19 safe management measures, if not for your own sake, then for the place you’re going to.
Feature Image: Christian Heinz / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)
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