19th March, 2020
The Managing Directors/CEO’s/Directors/Partners/General Managers
All FHRAI Members
CC: All Members of the Executive Committee
All Regional Associations
Sub:- Advisory to hotels and other accommodation units not to discriminate foreign tourists – Outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID – 19)
Dear Member,
Please find below an email and attachments received from Ministry of Tourism regarding an “Advisory to hotels and other accommodation units not to discriminate foreign tourists - Outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID -19)”
Submitted for your information and necessary action please.
With kind regards,
Rahul Lall
Secretary General
_____________________________________________________
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India
Regd. Off.: B-82, 8th Floor, Himalaya House, 23 K.G. Marg, New Delhi - 110 001
Tel.: 011-40780780, 40780717 (D), Fax: 011-40780777
Email: fhrai@fhrai.com, Website: www.fhrai.com
From: HRACC Division <hraccdivision@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 6:39 PM
To: Monika.arora@tajhotls.com; Vijay Sharma <vijay.sharma@oberoigroup.com>; ajay.vora@hilton.com; manishadukia@juniperhotels.com; navinshaily@rediffmail.com; crowneplazaokhla@cpokhla.com; mumgmsecy@thelalit.com; legal.executive@saharastar.com; res@orchidhotel.com; hrd.delhi@pridehotel.com; info@hoteltheroyalplaza.com; MUKESH.KUMAR2@hilton.com; rochak.gupta@theleela.com; simon@hotelkohinoorcontinental.com; ANILMATHUR19@gmail.com; nitin.rathore@hilton.com; DelhiReservationsCentre@radissonhotels.com; delhi.regency@hyatt.com; lalit.bisht@theleela.com; mehttab@ghvgroup.com; accommodation@theashok.com; fhrai@fhrai.com; Secretary General <sg@fhrai.com>; preeti.legal@fhrai.com; hai@hotelassociationofindia.com; CHARULATA <charulata@hotelassociationofindia.com>; hotel association of india <info@hotelassociationofindia.com>; taai@taai.in; IATO <iato@iato.in>; ed@icpb.in; secretariat@faithtourismindia.in; Vineeta Dixit <vineeta.dixit@airbnb.com>; Siddhartha Dasgupta <siddhartha@oyorooms.com>; INDIATOURISM CHENNAI <indiatourism.chn@nic.in>; India Tourism Delhi <goitodelhi@nic.in>; indiatourism-mum@nic.in; Indiatourism Kolkata <indtour6100@dataone.in>; IND Tour Guwahati <indtourguwahati@nic.in>; sanjeev.s@itchotels.in
Cc: bibhuti.dash72@gov.in; meenakshi.sharma63@gov.in
Subject: Outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19)-Advisory to hotels and other accommodation units not to discriminate foreign tourists.
CIRCULAR
As aware, Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) is spreading rapidly all over the world and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in coordination with State Govts/UT Administration and other stake holders is taking all possible steps to prevent further spread of Covid-19. In this regard, advisories /guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have also been issued from time to time and Ministry of Tourism has forwarded those to all hotel associations and stake holders to generate awareness amongst hotels as to how to deal with the issue.
2. Despite this Ministry’s circular dated 05.03.2020 and 11.03.2020, few cases of discrimination have been reported and harassment has been noticed. It is against the spirit of hospitality to repeat such behaviour despite clear-cut instructions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as Ministry of Tourism. It has been informed by some Embassies that they have come across some cases of discrimination against several tourists. In the light of such cases, the they have requested the Ministry of Tourism to issue a public advisory advising hotels /commercial establishments not to adopt discriminatory behaviour against the foreign tourists rather report the symptomatic cases to the health authorities.
3. Hence it is again being reiterated to strictly follow the protocol related to dealing with the tourists. A copy of guidelines for prevention of transmission and disinfection of hotels/ lodging facility where suspect/ confirmed COVID-19 cases have housed, are enclosed.
4. Any deviation/ violation/ instance of harassment to the tourists will be viewed seriously and stringent action including legal/ penal action will be initiated against such hotels/ accommodation units, irrespective of their classification status.
Yours sincerely
(B.B. Dash)
Directory (Hotels & Restaurants Division)
Ministry of Tourism
Government of India
Tel. 011-23358656
bibhuti.dash72@gov.in