Inspection of hotels for Covid-19 safety compliance starts

Inspection of hotels across Uganda to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)  put in place by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in the wake of Covid-19 has started.

The inspection is being conducted by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Hotel Owners Association (UHOA).

The SOPs aim to provide health and safety protocols for all hotels and accommodation facilities and create confidence amongst domestic and international visitors as Uganda readies herself for tourism revitalisation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister of state for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Godfrey Kiwanda while addressing the media noted that the inspection was a critical part of the recovery process for Uganda’s tourism sector.

"Today, we kick off the inspection of the implementation of the SOPs. This exercise not only demonstrates the steps being taken by Uganda’s tourism sector in readiness and recovery but the commitment by both government and private sector to ensure the safety of both our citizens and tourists." Kiwanda said.

According to a recent report released by the UN World Travel Organisation, health and safety will be a key determinant for travel by tourists across the world as the global industry recovers.

The minister also noted that each hotel will be required to have an emergency isolation room for those suspected to contracted Covid-19 as well as formulating an on-ground emergency task force which should also be in contact with the ministry of health.

“In addition to maintaining the recommended health and safety measures of social distancing, sanitisation and wearing of masks, every hotel going forward will be required to have an isolation room, formulate an on-ground emergency task force and have a COVID-19 resource center accessible to all,” he added.

He also noted that Uganda is still a safe destination since it hasn't had any deaths related to Covid-19 and the recoveries are high.

UTB Deputy CEO, Bradford Ochieng, highlighted that the board in fulfilling of its mandate ensures quality assurance across all tourism facilities and ensuring implementation of the SOPs is a key strategy in the revitalization of the sector and ensuring safety and confidence of the visitors- a key decision making factor in travel, going forward.

“Ours is a promise that quality assurance in Uganda’s tourism facilities will be upheld across travel, accommodation, amenities and experience,” Ochieng said.

He noted that UTB was in the process of developing a tourism sector recovery plan that will hopefully rebirth the sector.

The Chairlady of the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, Ms. Susan Muhwezi, called on the association members and the hospitality sector to uphold the SOPs put in place by the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities.

She said, “We understand that hotels have had to increase their operational costs to fit into what is now the new normal that led to the creation of the tourism Sector SOPs. We are hopeful that the government will support private sector investment in this process through the stimulus package. This will go a long way in support the recovery of our hospitality sector.

The inspection will traverse the whole country starting with Kampala City and Entebbe town this week.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Kiwanda noted the key role played by the hospitality sector since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Uganda. He said that hotels supported the institutional quarantining process and acted as the model centres for the hospitality SOPs which are key in the quality and health assurance of our hospitability sector.