Makati gov’t closes Berjaya Makati Hotel over quarantine breach

The Makati City government serves the closure order on Berjaya Hotel Makati. (Photo by Chona Yu/Radyo Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City Government on Thursday closed the Berjaya Makati Hotel following a breach in health protocols that involved a Filipina from the United States who skipped her quarantine at the hotel and later tested positive for COVID-19.

Atty. Don Camiña, head of the Makati City Law Department, said the city will enforce the three-month suspension order that was imposed by the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“Considering that Berjaya’s DOT Accreditation has been suspended, City is closing it since only hotels with DOT accreditation can operate at this time under relevant DOT and IATF guidelines,” Camiña told reporters in a Viber message.

The city government’s Business Permit and Licensing Office served the closure order on the hotel.

Camiña added that the DOT also slapped the hotel’s management with a P13,200 fine.

The hotel’s management on Wednesday said it “humbly accepts” any public criticism over the breach of quarantine at the hotel in what has now become known as the “Poblacion girl” incident. It however also  appealed to authorities and to the public to be “kind enough.”

“That’s how we learn and we improve. All we ask is that we are given the full opportunity to state our case and implement corrective action before being abruptly judged,” the hotel said in a statement.

“We hope authorities and the public will be kind enough and consider that we don’t just protect Berjaya, we stand for our employees, stakeholders, guests, reputations, and of course our families.”

“Poblacion girl,” who was later identified by authorities as Gwyneth Anne Chua, along with her parents, boyfriend, and five employees of the Berjaya Makati Hotel were charged before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday.

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