Monrovia – Several persons under precautionary observation for the Coronavirus at the Kailondo Hotel have complained about the condition of the hotel, telling FrontPageAfrica that the facility is “unhygienic and unclean”.
As part of the Liberian government’s measures to avert any possible case of the novel virus from being imported to the country, travellers returning to Liberia from any country with active cases of the virus are require to be under observation for a period of 14 days.
During the observational period, health authorities are required to ensure the wellbeing of those being observed.
But several persons phoned FrontPage Africa to express their dissatisfaction with the condition of the Kailondo Hotel. Some complained that the bathrooms were unsanitary while others claimed that they couldn’t get soap or towel.
Despite the complaints about the condition of the hotel, the National Public Health Institute insists that the place is conducive and was approved by the government to serve as a precautionary observation center (POC) for the Coronavirus.
“It’s a private facility which was being used for commercial purpose and approved by the government. The facility is conducive and the government decided to use it,” said Joseph Wiah, Communications Director of NPHIL.
Mr. Wiah added that the government is working to expand the POC at Star Base, and once that is done anyone that will be under observation will be moved there instead of staying in private hotels.
This will cut down expenses on the government because the POC at Star Base on the Bushrod Island will have a better capacity, he said.
Currently, the number of persons at Star Base is 19 and NPHIL has decided to keep that number until more bathrooms are added to augment the current eight bathrooms, said Dr. Mosoka Fallah, acting Director General of NPHIL.
He told FPA that there was a complaint from a resident that in between her moving in and a discharge of an outgoing guest, the place was not cleaned.
“But we went in and ensure it was cleaned. I also went in to look at the rooms and the water situation. We have people at four sites including Star Base,” Dr. Fallah.
Meanwhile, Mr. George Kailondo, owner of the hotel, told FPA on Sunday that the management if renovating five of the 35 rooms at the facility.
He also denied claims that the hotel is unclean, saying 30 rooms were booked for those under precautionary observation while the other five rooms are under renovation. He said one said there was mixed up with one of rooms under renovation.
NPHIL has faced criticism for its handling of the POCs including a recent speculation that people at the Star Base facility were unsatisfied with facility. That prompted NPHIL to invite several reporters to tour the Star Base and do independent reports about the condition of the facility.