Duterte orders LGUs to tap hotels that can house COVID-19 patients

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte ordered local government units on Monday to select hotels in their area that could be used as facilities for COVID-19 patients.

Duterte noted a “dearth in space” in quarantine facilities, especially for people still waiting for the results of their swab tests or those who would not need to be hospitalized.

“I leave it to the city government, and we will talk about it later. These vacant hotels — after all, when [the pandemic] ends, you can always decontaminate the rooms. We will do it for you. Arrange [it] with the hotels that can be used temporarily at this time,” he said, speaking partly in Filipino.

He also asked owners of hotels, inns, and even motels to offer their establishments to be used as quarantine facilities, assuring them that they would be paid on time.

“I will see to it, I will ask Congress. I will plead with them to find a way to pay you. I will personally see to it that you are paid on time,” the President said.

“The local government units are put on notice that I have directed you to make necessary arrangements with the hotels, motels that they allow COVID patients to live there,” he added.

Establishments that would be tapped as quarantine facilities would then be off-limits to travelers, Duterte said.

[atm]

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.