COVID-19 Pune: 70 hoteliers seek approval to convert facility into quarantine centres; PMC not ready yet

Pune: About 70 hoteliers in the city have sought permission from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to convert their existing set up into paid-facilities for quarantining COVID-positive patients, but the PMC is still deliberating on their proposals.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has already given permission to six private hotels to operate as paid quarantine centres. The hoteliers also have a tie-up with several hospitals and organisations to provide good quality healthcare services to patients who are given admission in their facilities.

Vikram Kumar, Commissioner, PMC said, “We have received proposals about starting COVID Care Centres in hotels. We are deliberating over what should be the rates, what facilities should be included and how to provide medical services in emergency situations. A decision will be taken in this regard soon.”

Sharan Shetty, President, Pune Hoteliers Association said, “Several members of the association have sent proposals regarding starting COVID Care Centres in their hotels. We are taking follow-up with the PMC on behalf of the interested members. We hope a decision will be taken soon.”

"Hotels in the city are closed since the lockdown was imposed in March month. If the PMC allows them to operate as paid quarantine centres, then hoteliers can survive in the lockdown period and burden on administration in terms of hospital beds will also be reduced," Shetty added.

Paid quarantine facilities in PCMC are charging Rs 2,000 per person per day. If two or more members of the family are to be quarantined at the same facility, then they are charged Rs 2,800 or Rs 3,000 per person per day. These charges include tea, breakfast, and lunch for two times a day along with internet connection, hot water supply, television and other entertainment facilities. Discounts are also offered if booking is made for a seven days or 14 days package.

All rooms are sanitised every day. Only patients who are stamped for home quarantine or those who can produce a COVID test positive report are given entry in the centre. A letter from a doctor is also made mandatory for admission. The patient has to coordinate with his doctor regularly and take medicines as prescribed by his doctors.