Quarantine hotels restrict deliveries but conditions vary

CORONAVIRUS | Hotels that engaged by the government to serve as temporary Covid-19 quarantine centres have started imposing restrictions on items that can be delivered to the people undergoing quarantine in their premises.

Checks with several hotels in the Klang Valley returned with a similar answer, that the restriction order was imposed by the authorities.

However, the list of items that are allowed into the hotels seemed to be different between hotels, with at least two having gone as far as barring the guests from ordering outside food using the food delivery services.

Malaysiakini was contacted by one of the overseas returnees placed at a hotel in Bandar Sunway, who said that the guests there were told this morning that food delivery services are no longer allowed starting today.

"As of 2pm today, there won’t be the option of food delivery services like GrabFood anymore for us here.

"It was announced by the hotel this morning," she said.

The guest also shared an image of a notice that the hotel had put up near a delivery table in front of its premises, listing the items that have been barred from being delivered to the people under quarantine.

She said the image was sent by a relative who went there to deliver her some milk and bread.

Among the items listed are instant noodles, cooked food (both hot and cold), carbonated drinks, flavoured chips, pre-prepared beverages (air bancuh), 'jeruk and asam' (pickles), fruits, vegetables and eggs.

Alcoholic beverages, cigarette and vape juice, as well as knife and 'benda tajam' (sharp items) are also prohibited.

Following this, Malaysiakini contacted the hotel for confirmation and comments.

"This came from the authorities. It is from the Health Ministry," said the employee, who identified herself as Florina.

Malaysiakini is withholding the names of the hotels pending comment from its management.

Another hotel located in Petaling Jaya also banned food delivery services for those under quarantine.

However, the restriction seems to cover only cooked food and wet food items such as meat and fish.

A staff member of the hotel who received Malaysiakini's call said they allow dry food items like chips and instant noodles.

"Wet food items we are not allowed to accept. The authorities are the one that prohibits this.

"Wet food such as meat, fish... They are not allowed to prevent problems like food poisoning and such," said the female employee.

She also confirmed that food delivery services are not permitted to deliver meals to the guests under quarantine.

Enforcement by NSC, Nadma

A three-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, meanwhile, said the items on their prohibited list are only limited to contrabands and alcoholic beverages, as well as tobacco products.

"There is no restriction on food delivery. The guests can order food from outside, but they need to be passed through the Civil Defence Department personnel here, who will deliver the food to the rooms.

"But there are certain time frames when they can get the food delivered to the hotel," said a staff member.

When asked about the restrictions, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Health Ministry's role was only to issue advice on safety and health.

The enforcement, however, falls under the National Security Council and National Disaster Management Agency.

"From the health side, it's from MOH. We are looking into all issues with regards to safety.

"So we will give the safety advice and health advice, but other than that - in terms of what they can do and what they can’t do - follow the NSC and Nadma," Noor Hisham said during a press conference in Putrajaya. - Mkini