Călin Ile, president of the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation, stated that “we have a set of recommendations that we provide to all hotels, a document that analyzes, for example, the risk points in a room—there are about 15 such risk points. We are removing extra pillows from rooms, removing all materials, and removing the in-room menu. There are hotels that decide to keep a room vacant for at least 24 hours once used. There is also a strong push toward digitalization, with check-in and check-out being done online to reduce interaction between employees and clients. However, there is still a need for commitment from the authorities.”
Emil-Răzvan Pîrjol, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Business Environment, stated on May 13 during a webinar organized by TrendsHRB regarding the commitment from authorities and the reopening date that there is a major fear at the government level regarding a second wave that might be even stronger after this relaxation on May 15. The last two weeks of May should be viewed as a kind of test because the reopening of terraces and restaurants starting in June is at stake, as hotels are theoretically already open, because there are concrete proposals to approach reopening in progressive relaxation stages of 2 weeks each until normality is reached. He also expressed concern regarding finding a balanced approach, seen through the eyes of guests and clients, so as not to put them in a situation where they give up services due to overly strict rules imposed by authorities.
The European Commission also published on May 13 a set of recommendations to help member states gradually phase out travel restrictions and allow tourism businesses to resume activity while respecting the necessary health measures.
Gathered at a conference on the coast on May 12, representatives of tourism employer associations stated that they would not close hotels if a COVID case were discovered among tourists, but would instead isolate the patient, warning that if the law forces them to close, they prefer not to open the hotels at all this season.
Nicolae Bucovala, president of the Mamaia Constanta Employers’ Organization, stated that on each floor of the hotels there will be 5-10 empty, isolated rooms, and at the first sign of illness, the tourist will be led there, from where they will not leave until the ambulance picks them up for tests.
Mohammad Murad proposed, in turn, that everyone coming to tourist resorts be tested, saying that seaside hoteliers are willing to bear the costs of these rapid tests. In contrast, he warns that hoteliers cannot check if all tourists wash their hands when leaving the bathroom, as that would mean having one employee for every tourist.
Also, hoteliers cannot control tourists to ensure they wear masks because, Murad says, they are not “secret services.”
A week ago, the prefect of Constanta County, George Niculescu, announced that authorities are considering several measures to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 on the Romanian coast, and one of these is testing all tourists arriving at seaside resorts.
Representatives of tourism employer associations also specified that seaside hotels will lose over 30 million EUR for each day they remain closed after June 1st.
They are requesting a meeting with the Government by May 15 to clarify how tourism will function beyond this period, and if they do not receive an answer, they threaten strikes and not opening hotels this season.
Mohammad Murad, president of FPTR, stated that among the demands is that for three months, 60% of tourism employees’ salaries be covered by the state. Employers also request a reopening bonus for guesthouses of up to 1,000 EUR, as many of these are small family businesses that cannot restart without help. Another request is a 75% reduction in local taxes compared to last year, with Murad claiming that in Mangalia, hoteliers are asked to pay the promotion tax even though they cannot operate. To these requests is added the suspension of the specific tax this year.
Tourism employer associations sent 15 proposals and requests to the Ministry of Economy and the Government and, according to their representatives, received three responses, either negative or evasive.
NEWS UPDATE – May 18, 5:30 PM: Ludovic Orban, the Prime Minister of Romania, was present on Saturday, May 16, in Vama Albița (Vaslui County) to welcome the team of Romanian doctors and nurses returning from their mission in the Republic of Moldova. He stated that “from May 15, hotels are open; the only restriction is related to the non-use of common dining areas. Kitchens can open, but meals will be served via room service, in the room” and “regarding the summer season, we will likely regulate this sector after June 1st. Our intention is that, as long as there is no higher number of infections, under very well-regulated conditions, we will allow the summer season.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hotels in Romania currently open?Yes, hotels have been theoretically open since May 15, but indoor restaurants remain closed, with meals served only via room service.
What safety measures are being applied in hotel rooms?Recommendations include removing non-essential items (extra pillows, menus), digitalizing check-in, and leaving rooms vacant for 24 hours between guests.
When will terraces and restaurants reopen?Authorities estimate that the reopening of terraces and restaurants could take place starting June 1st, depending on the evolution of infection cases.