Berjaya Hotel appeals for kindness following quarantine violation mess

The Berjaya Makati Hotel — suspended by the Tourism Department after a guest skipped quarantine to party — on Wednesday came forward and appealed for kindness, saying it does not tolerate violators amid public concerns on the establishment’s protocols.

The hotel said it stands “sincere and true” to its comment and service, as it continues to support government agencies for all protocols which it has supported “faithfully” in the past two years.

“We don’t tolerate violators nor entertain thoughts of being a connection,” it said in a statement.

“We find it unfortunate that people are casually citing allegations without proper investigations and facts and without thought to how misinformation can damage lives,” it added.

Official Statement of Berjaya Makati Hotel. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/uXsIP0sYsK

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) January 5, 2022

The DOT earlier suspended the accreditation of the hotel after a certain returning overseas Filipino from the United States — identified as Gwyneth Chua — was found to have skipped hotel quarantine to attend a party and visit restaurants in Poblacion, Makati City.

Chua arrived on December 23, and tested positive for COVID-19 on December 27. Some of her companions during the party, along with patrons and staff of a restaurant also later tested positive.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has already filed a complaint before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office against Chua, her parents, five hotel personnel, and her boyfriend for the violation of the current health protocols.

Prevailing guidelines mandate returning Filipinos to undergo quarantine upon arrival at a facility, and test negative for COVID-19 before they are allowed to be released from quarantine.

According to Berjaya, the latest conversation on the violation “is becoming out of hand,” as it has brought doubt to its clients, business partners, associates, and existing guests.

“If there’s anything that we need to correct, we humbly take it. 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 abruptly being judged,” it said.

“As we try our best to survive and remain afloat in business in this continuing pandemic, 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,” it added. — RSJ, GMA News