In compliance with the Indonesian government’s regulations, international travelers are required to self-isolate for 5 days upon their arrival in the city. And thousands of hotel rooms in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta used to quarantine asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and those with mild symptoms.
According to Maulana Yusran, secretary-general of the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI), some 3,711 rooms in 27 hotels in Jakarta are ready to be used to accommodate patients.
The organization worked with the government on the plan as virus cases have spiked in the capital and the country.
“Preparations have been made in coordination with the authorities to ensure that the number of available rooms is sufficient and in accordance with the government’s requirements and basic health protocols,” he said.
According to the official, there are 1,605 rooms in 11 hotels in Central Jakarta, 557 rooms in five hotels in South Jakarta, 587 rooms in four hotels in East Jakarta, 602 rooms in five hotels in West Jakarta, and 360 rooms in two hotels in North Jakarta.
He said the rooms will be used if the occupancy rate at the Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, the city’s main COVID-19 treatment facility, hits 80%.
The PHRI had previously advised the government to rent the entire building to avoid creating new clusters.
“The selected hotels will not be allowed to receive regular guests and they will implement the same protocols as Wisma Atlet,” said Krishandi, the association’s chairman.
Family members and friends will also not be allowed to visit the quarantined patients, he added.
The plan, according to the official, also aims to support Jakarta’s hotel business, which has greatly suffered due to the pandemic.
The government has assured citizens that it would bear the cost of quarantine facilities in hotels.
The minister of tourism and creative economy, said 100 billion Rupiah (USD 6.7 million) have been allocated to cover all costs, including accommodation charges, food, drinks, and laundry services.
“The participating hotels can accommodate up to 14,000 COVID-19 patients. Each patient is required to spend 14 days in quarantine,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry will provide medicines, ambulances, and health workers to monitor patients and ensure that health protocols are properly implemented.
Besides Jakarta, the program is also set to be rolled out in four other provinces, namely Bali, North Sumatra, West Java, and South Kalimantan.
Of the total 27 hotels, there are some 3,700 rooms available for self-quarantine. The following is the list of the hotels:
Four hotels in East Jakarta, viz. Max One Pemuda, Ibis Cawang, Jakarta Teras Kita Hotel, and Balairung Hotel.
11 hotels in Central Jakarta, namely Max One Sabang, Oria hotel, Red Planet Jakarta, Losari Hotel, Nite And Day Jakarta, Maxone Kramat Jakarta, Yello Hotel Harmoni Jakarta, Paragon Wahid Hasyim, U Stay Mangga Besar, Oasis Amir Hotel, and Triniti Hotel
Two hotels in North Jakarta, namely POP Hotel in Kelapa Gading and Zia Sanno in Pluit Jakarta
Five hotels in West Jakarta: Maxone Signature Glodok Jakarta, Royal Palm Cengkareng, Nite And Day Jakarta, Augusta Hotel, and Fave Hotel of LTC Glodok
Five hotels in South Jakarta, namely Pomelotel Jakarta, Popi Hotel in Tebet, Sofyan Hotel, Kuretakeso Hotel in Kemang, and GP Mega Kuningan.