The industry had offered rooms to quarantine health workers and meals for the needy to lend a helping hand to the government. Recognizing the vital role of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs during the pandemic, the CM extended thanks to HRAWI for being support in this challenging phase.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India conducted a web meeting with the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray regarding the reopening of the industry. HRAWI assures the Ministers as well as the Chief Secretary/Travel Secretary and the CMO that it is safe to restart the operations of the hotels and restaurants.

Further, the association informed that they will be taking all the necessary precautions and launch of COVID-19 Food Safety Training and Certification free training programme by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)/HRAWI and also about the desktop audit programme which deals with all required compliances for its members.

Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, President, HRAWI said, “The re-opening of hotels in the State was a much needed move and we thank the Government for it. Hotels have been presently allowed to operate at 33 per cent capacity on condition of additional arrangements that are meant to ensure customer safety. We are sure that we will be allowed to operate with additional capacity in the very near future. There are approximately 10,500 hotels in the State and the decision to allow them to re-open will bring a big respite to the hotel owners whose businesses have remained shut for the past 4 months with Zero revenue. Hotels and restaurants are the Corona Warriors of the pandemic and the HRAWI has been at the forefront for advocating the re-opening of the industry."

"The Association applauds its members’ efforts in putting together a most comprehensive SOP for hotels and restaurants on safety guidelines to follow after re-opening. In our latest meeting with the Hon. CM and Tourism Minister, they took note of the launch of COVID-19 FoSTaC free training programme organized by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) along with the HRAWI which further convinced the Government about our commitment towards guest safety. The industry wishes to assure guests that they are in safe hands and invites them to experience the warm Indian hospitality once again,” he added.

HRAWI has called for government’s support on certain affairs to revive the industry such as Bar opening, Property Tax, Excise Fees, Electricity Bill issues & Industrial Tariff, blanket permission to use open spaces during the pandemic, relaxation in restrictions to operate so they are able to minimize the losses & support from Employees' State Insurance Corporation in order to pay salaries to the employees.

The industry had offered rooms to quarantine health workers and meals for the needy to lend a helping hand to the government. Recognizing the vital role of Hoteliers and Restaurateurs during the pandemic, the CM extended thanks to HRAWI for being support in this challenging phase.

The CM assured the association that the government is working on reopening protocols and has appealed the Industry to take the necessary precautions. It is also expected that all the categories of hotels, be it 5 stars or restaurants have to comply with the government protocols. The tourism minister addressed the member of the association assuring them full support to the industry to revive completely as soon as possible. "We will reopen in a phased manner to avoid any backlash," said Thackeray.