Berjaya Hotel apologizes for failing to prevent traveler from skipping quarantine

The Berjaya Makati Hotel, the hotel where a returning overseas Filipino was reported to have skipped her quarantine, on Saturday apologized for the incident, saying it was a "very serious breach" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Berjaya Makati hotel management confirmed reports that a Filipino traveler from the United States did not undergo hotel quarantine and even attended a party in Makati.

The OFW then tested positive for COVID-19, and so did the other party attendees.

"Although she and her friends are reportedly only mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic, this was a very serious breach given the pandemic's disastrous impact on lives and livelihood," it said.

"Any employee found errant by commission or omission will be dealt with severely to deter a repeat of what happened," the management added.

The Berjaya Makati Hotel said it strives to be fully compliant with the government's COVID-19 rules and protocols.

"The Management sincerely apologizes for failing to stop the guest from jumping her quarantine. This was the only incident of its kind in the nearly two years that we have served as a quarantine hotel, and we will make sure that it is the last," it said.

The Berjaya Hotel said it was fully cooperating with all government agencies investigating the incident.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the individual was able to skip the five-day mandatory quarantine due to "connections."

Puyat added that the returning Filipino was even able to attend a party, which was held the day after she arrived from the US.

The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) said a complaint was "ready" against the woman. — DVM, GMA News