01 Apr 2020

Some hotels in Kasane have pledged to accommodate people who will be quarantined following government’s decision to institute a mandatory 14-day quarantining rule for returning citizens and residents to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The general manager of Chobe Marina Lodge, Mr Kenneth Mukuwa said the decision was taken looking at the prevailing situation, as there were few isolation centres in Kasane.

“We are also part of the hotels that have pledged support during this difficult times,” he added.

He said the lodge had pledged 29 rooms. He also explained that government, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, would foot the bill for accommodation and meals, adding that it was subsidised accommodation.

On other issues, Mr Mukuwa said the lodge had managed to retain its 88 employees despite the outbreak of coronavirus which was threatening to collapse the hospitality industry.

“We have managed to keep them, those who are not in are on normal leave,” he added.

Another hotel that heeded the call is Big 5 Lodge in Kazungula, which has pledged 27 rooms for accommodation.

Human resources assistant, Mr Gaone Mabotseng said the hotel decided to join others to support government with accommodation for quarantined residents and citizens.

“This is a painful situation which requires all concerted efforts in order to eradicate the scourge,” he said.

He explained that government would pay for accommodation and meals for the quarantined people, adding that the district commissioner’s office had been providing food for the guests all along.

He added that the hospitality industry was under threat of collapsing, and that giving a helping hand could alleviate the problem hence the need for hotels to pledge to accommodate those quarantined.

Unfortunately, Mr Mabotseng said the lodge had lost 29 out of the 37 employees it had hired due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

“We only managed to retain eight which is less than we initially employed to fight unemployment in Botswana,” he added.

He said the retrenchments were caused by cancellation of bookings by tourists, adding that some demanded refunds which the lodge obliged.

“It is a pity. We did not want to lose anybody, but circumstances were beyond our control,” he added.

Other hotels that have pledged accommodation are Travel Lodge, which is currently accommodating close to 30 people. Bush Lodge has also pledged two rooms and expectations are that more lodges will follow suite should the situation get out of hand.

Meanwhile, some organisations have donated food to some of the hotels that have pledged to provide accommodation for those quarantined.

One such hotel is Big 5 Lodge, which received dozens of eggs from HATAB. Mr Mabotseng said the hotel would start to provide meals for clients this week. ENDS