Africa-Press – Lesotho. Mpilo Boutique Hotel has temporarily closed its operations due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus, which continues to surge around the globe. This is according to a statement released by the
hotel this week. The hotel management said, “the year 2020 has proven to be the most challenging to all businesses globally and this is due to an outbreak of the Coronavirus.
” The statement further reads in pertinent part,
“Lesotho’s economy, same as the rest of the world has felt the effects of this
pandemic and difficult decisions have to be taken to combat this monster virus. Individual companies have been forced to adopt different strategies and Mpilo
Boutique Hotel is no exception. ” This temporary closure, is attributed to the government’s imposed lockdown measures which resulted in limited movement and
closure of non-essential rendering services and businesses. The management said, “this affected businesses, therefore profits. ” It further says, the gazette limited “hotels from a
full operation and we are unable to survive with only restaurant operation that are also limited to only take outs. A hotel survives through tourism, therefore
lodging and dinning, these functions we are unable to perform. ” The hotel management went on to say that once the ‘thorough’ review had been made the hotel staff will be prioritized during the
reopening and will make a comeback in phased approach without specifying date it said “when the time comes. ” Reacting to these developments the President of the
Lesotho Hotels and Hospitality Association, ‘Marethabile Sekhiba said as the association this has been nerve-racking news. She went on to say it is not only Mpilo Boutique
Hotel that will close down, some of their members are likely to follow suite due to poor business climate. She also remarked that they are proud of the
hotel as it is owned by Mosotho and that it is an upscale hotel. “If the property is idle, it becomes dilapidated” she said adding that lodging establishment is costly to maintain.
The President said, it could take about a year before they get on their feet as hoteliers. Sekhiba further appealed to government to come to their rescue through availing heavy relief funds, adding that the promised M20,
000 grants for hoteliers will help but will not be sufficient; she said they
will not cover their payroll. She also urged the government to relax the criteria for accessing these funds when they come. Attempts to get solicit reaction from the Minister
of Tourism, Environment and Culture failed to materialize as his mobile was not answered. Mpilo Boutique Hotel is a subsidiary establishment of Matekane Group of Companies (MGC).
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