Hoteliers, recreation centers want taste of lockdown ease

By Sunday Ogundiran

Hoteliers as well as other recreation centres have again expressed worry over exclusion in the additional 14 days (2 weeks) gradual easing of lockdown as their business continue to suffer.

When the government announced the extension of the lockdown ease last week, hospitality business was still not included among the business that could operate even with stringent guidelines.

Jotted by the persistent loss of revenue while some other sectors enjoy ease of lockdown, the hoteliers have poured out their grievances, appealing to the government to include them in the new phase of the lockdown ease as a need for their survival.

As part of the yearnings, the hoteliers operating in Oshodi-Isolo said hotels should also be allowed to partially operate as other businesses.

The Managing Director of Beesam Hotel located in Mafoluku Oshodi, Mr. Akinyemi Gboyega, during a virtual conversation with ECHONEWS, explained that the hotels at the local community have been greatly suffering due to COVID-19 pandemic and their closeness to the international airport.

He stated that they have been enduring since the inception of the general lockdown, through the first phase of the partial lockdown ease, while they have to continue to suffer at the second phase of the lockdown ease.

“Now that another 14 days of gradual ease of lockdown has been added, hoteliers will appreciate if they can be granted palliative stimulus to ease the damage caused to the business,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr. Lawrence Festus of Encore Hotel appealed to the government to allow their business to operate partially so that they could redeem the damage.

He said: “Laundry which is part of the reservation services should be allowed. No booking of room except food restaurant service with not more than twenty customers, which will be helpful to remedy the present state of the business as we watch and see what next after the partial operation.”

He noted that bars and restaurants whose part of service is offering drinks for sale could render only outdoor food sales for residents who would buy in disposable take away.