In a letter to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), the country’s apex hotel and restaurant association, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), suggested making necessary changes to the vaccination guidelines to include banquet halls in hotels as venues for mass immunization of the corporate sector.
According to the FHRAI, banquet rooms at hotels are more fitted for the purpose than schools, colleges, or community halls. It went on to say that during the first lockdown, many hotels were requisitioned by local authorities to house doctors and medical workers as well as quarantine COVID patients and that as a result, they are fully aware of all safety protocols and capable of conducting mass vaccinations at their locations.
Vice President, FHRAI.
“Our country is carrying out one of the world’s biggest vaccination drives. Time is of the essence and the quicker we manage to vaccinate the entire population, the better it will be for the nation. The availability of vaccines is anticipated to only increase from here during which safe and controlled environments will be required to accommodate and vaccinate citizens. Banquet halls in hotels offer just the right kind of venue that will facilitate and expedite the vaccination drive. We request the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to consider our suggestion and make necessary changes in the vaccination guidelines to include banquet halls in hotels as venues for mass immunization of corporates,”
says Mr. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.
The total revenue of the Indian hotel business plummeted by over 75% in the previous fiscal year. In FY 2020-21, the industry will lose close to Rs.1.30 lakh crore in income, compared to Rs.1.82 lakh crore in FY 2019-20.
The hospitality industry’s income was less than 20% of pre-pandemic levels at the start of 2021, and it hasn’t even passed 5% since April 2021. Due to the epidemic, the country’s hospitality sector is engulfed in large losses and growing debts, resulting in an extremely bleak economic scenario.
“Hotels have been at the frontline and have been serving doctors and other health workers since the first lockdown and are fully aware of operating with the required safety guidelines. The financial repercussion of the lockdown has dealt a severe blow to the industry. We were the first sector to be affected by the pandemic and will be the last to revive.
The Hospitality sector in the country is waging a battle for its existence today. Under these extraordinary circumstances, we are hoping that the Government could extend its support by allowing us to open banquet venues for mass vaccination. This will give our industry some source of revenue while contributing to the nation in its vaccination drive. The Hospitality industry is committed to following all the health and safety protocols issued by the Government and it has our unwavering support in its efforts to combat the present pandemic,”
concludes Mr Kohli.
The FHRAI has voiced concern over some hotels renting out space to private hospitals for corporate mass immunization programs. It has warned all of its member hotels not to engage in any activities that are in violation of the National COVID19 Vaccination Guidelines.
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