The new coronavirus and the consequences for hospitality

I have read a lot about the topic that is on the rise at the moment, the coronavirus epidemic, and I note that all sources always repeat the same information, with numbers that are updated every day about new people infected by the virus.

The fact is that, although there are situations happening, the coronavirus has been raising concerns of several nations, putting everyone on alert. But what is the relationship between the coronavirus epidemic and the hotel industry? That’s the reason for this article. And you know why?

Brazil is one of the most sought after destinations for international tourists. Given this, it is worth the concern and, as a consequence, some actions have already been taken by the hoteliers.

The role of professionals who work with the provision of services, especially the hotel industry, is always to keep the staff informed and that this, in turn, reassures its guests. This attitude applies not only to those who work in the hotel sector, but the recommendations should not only be when this type of situation arises, but always.

Hotel with permanent flow of people

It is good to remember that hotel does not close and works every day of the year, 24 hours a day, welcoming people from all over the world. See what I’ve been reading and most likely you’ve also come across one of those headlines that spread alarm and widespread panic!

Example: Redouble cleaning care. You’re serious, right? Clean the rooms thoroughly? Better care for governance hygiene? Guide A&B staff to keep well-sanitized crockery and cutlery? Well-cooked meats and eggs?

Really if we are preaching this as information only when a possible epidemic occurs, we are very late and regret this attitude applied by some professionals. That’s a basic task, isn’t it? And it must be done daily, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Prevention is everyone’s obligation

Sorry for the sincerity in this article, but campaigning only when such a situation occurs is unfortunate. Raise awareness of employees and guests to help with prevention? Obviously so, but not just when a situation like the current one occurs, which involves the coronavirus.

Care is permanent and vigilance, cleanliness, hygiene of any environment, is the obligation of all of us.

This virus is obviously the main theme today worldwide and everyone should, yes, be on alert on this important issue. It is obviously worth remembering that it is transmitted by lung infections (as far as I understand it is a respiratory disease, but the new virus is still unknown by the medical community?).

Since December 2019 China has been suffering from these contagions that occur in the country. Hotels should, yes, stay in a state of permanent attention and prevent possible contagions between guests and staff.

Impeccable hygiene of the environments

It was expected that governments are working to develop a vaccine against the virus, but so far I believe it has not occurred. In Brazil? How many suspicious cases? Danger, so to speak, is imminent. The origin of this virus? I leave it to the most understanding of the subject.

Symptoms? Everyone who reads about it, already knows about it, we don’t need to stick to it here. What is really more important now, in my opinion, are the preventive measures that the informed people have also sought and already know how to try to avoid such a situation, in particular to keep the hygiene of everything around them, in an impeccable way.

The losses are considerable in chinese hospitality. There are many hotels that are closed. That’s exactly what you’re reading – many hotels are being closed in China.

Damage to the hotel sector

Now think about the loss of the hotelier, shareholders and investors, but before that think about health and safety. I believe that the real impact that corovavirus has generated for the global hotel market cannot yet be fully measured. However, the recovery will take place in the long term.

All associations that work in tourism and hospitality agencies in Brazil have already taken numerous prevention measures and there is no reason to splurge in relation to this situation.

Prevention is the key word and the measures are generally related to what we bring from home, which is hygiene with us and respect for the collectivity. Sneezing by placing your forearm as a shield is, let’s say, a matter of education. Either you have it or you don’t.

However, if the person did not receive from home these basic hygiene care, it is necessary to acquire the habit with more effort, but nothing impossible. Washing your hands thoroughly, going to the bathroom and then hygiene your hands, among other measures widely disseminated, are habits that we should have learned at the time of another epidemic, that of H1N1, which still surrounds us. When are we really going to do our homework and get through the year without having to go through new outbreaks and scares? Here’s the reflection.