City Lodge Hotel Group and aha Hotels & Lodges are some of the accommodation establishments that have announced that some of their properties will now open to provide support to essential and critical business continuity services.

CEO of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa), Lee Zama, said all essential service companies and those in other sectors allowed to operate since the beginning of level four lockdown, could book directly with the establishments or via a travel agent.

“The booking method is pretty much the same as pre-lockdown. As per the Tourism Act, the properties are required to keep personal information as instructed by law,” said Zama.

“Currently the accommodation providers are required to get a permit from the Department of Tourism. They are required to apply the hospitality safety protocols to limit the spread of the coronavirus.”

Both City Lodge Hotel Group and aha hotels & Lodges explained in their announcement that in order to allow their hotels to accept bookings, an Essential Services Certificate must be produced as per the regulation.

Zama said Fedhasa was awaiting the government to update with new regulations and protocols for the hospitality sector to possibly operate in level three of the extended lockdown.