Select hotels reopen in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly 6,000 rooms in 13 rated hotels across Metro Manila were reopened for leisure bookings by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to restart the accommodation industry in the region.

The DOT yesterday announced that a total of 5,986 rooms in 13 hotels in Metro Manila are now allowed to take in recreational guests in line with the region’s downgrade to general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.

Under the rules set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), specialized markets for tourism are permitted to resume their activities in GCQ areas as long as they comply with minimum health standards.

Aside from leisure hotels, outdoor attractions may now reopen to visitors at 30 percent capacity. Restaurants are also authorized to receive indoor dining at 20 percent capacity, while al fresco options may operate at 50 percent capacity.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reminded both workers and visitors to observe the health and safety protocols applied by authorities. She said compliance with regulations should be put first in the reopening of tourism in Metro Manila.

“These staycation hotels, all of which are star-rated, have the capacity and have been inspected and oriented on the new normal protocols to ensure this,” Puyat said.

The hotels in Metro Manila authorized to accept leisure bookings are: Grand Hyatt Hotel, Okada Manila Hotel, Shangri-La at the Fort, Nobu Hotel, Joy Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila and EDSA Shangri-La Manila.

Solaire Resort, Hyatt Regency and Nuwa Hotel of City of Dreams, The Peninsula Manila, Aruga by Rockwell, Sheraton Manila Hotel and Hilton Hotel are likewise permitted to take in guests.

Visitors who plan to stay at the hotels must come from within Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. Likewise, guests must not be below 18 or above 65 years old to gain entry into the establishments.