The tourism industry has been largely affected following lockdowns and travel restrictions in various countries.
The hospitality industry has also taken a big hit. Restaurants have been ordered to stay closed, save for take-out services.
Some hotels have resorted to shutting down and suspending operations due to a reduction in number of guests at the facilities.
Here are some of the hotels that have closed down:
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1. Serena Hotels
The Serena Hotels has been forced to shut down a total of 10 lodges and camps in Kenya and Tanzania until June 15, 2020. They have 24 properties.
“As we navigate this unprecedented crisis and build on the Company's resilience and adaptability, whilst keeping destination Kenya and Tanzania in the minds of the business and leisure sources markets, it is with a 'heavy heart' that we advise that the Serena Lodges and Camps will temporarily cease operations until 15 June 2020,” read a letter from the Serena Hotels.
The hotels closed include, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge and Lake Elementatita Serena Camp in Kenya.
In Tanzania, Lake Manyara Serena Saari Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Kirawira Serena Camp and Mbuzi Mawe Serena Camp have been closed.
“Never in the 40-year history of Serena Hotels has any event of this breadth and scale impacted the global hospitality industry, than COVID-19. We have been following the COVID-19 situation very closely and its emerging impact on our business model and portfolio in Africa. It is indeed impossible today to calculate the human and financial impact that COVID-19 will have on the global hospitality industry,” said Serena Hotels.
2. Weston Hotel
Weston Hotel also issued a temporary closure notice which will begin from March 30, 2020 until further notice.
"In view of the precautionary guidelines in response to curbing the spread of the COVID-19, with your health and wellness being our utmost priority; we would like to inform you that we will be temporarily closed as from Monday 30th March 2020 until further notice,” said Weston Hotel.
3. Enashipai Resort and Spa
Enashipai Resort and Spa will remain closed from March 27, 2020 until further notice.
"As our responsibility to be part of the national solution to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, we have taken the diicult decision to temporarily suspend all our hotel operations from Friday, 27th March, 2020 until further notice. We don't know how long this pandemic will last, but we will continue to monitor the developments and updates from the Government of Kenya," said Enashipai Resort and Spa Director, James Mwangi.
4. Ole-Sereni Hotels
Ole-Sereni Hotel and EMARA Ole-Sereni closed its doors on March 24, 2020. The hotels will remain closed until further notice.
"We have made the tough decision to susped all operations at EMARA Ole-Sereni and Ole-Sereni effective March 24th, 2020 until further notice," said Ole Sereni Hotels.
5. DusitD2 Nairobi
DusitD2 Nairobi has shut down all its operations including restaurant, bar, meeting and event reservations among other services.
"In light of COVID-19, the hotel has temporarily ceased normal operations and is currently not accepting room, restaurant, bar, meeting, event and other reservations until further notice," said DusitD2.
6. Sopa Lodges
Sopa Lodges has resorted to shutting down four of its lodges in Kenya until further notice.
These are, Amboseli Sopa Lodge and Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge from March 26, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge from April 1 and Lake Naivashsa Sopa Resort from April 15, 2020.
"We have taken the most difficult decision to suspend the operation of our lodges in Kenya ... Due to the fluidity of the situation and ever changing information to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are at present unable to communicate a definite date as to when we will resume services, we all hope and pray that this situation changes as swiftly as possible and we will keep you informed in regards to any new developments accordingly," said Sopa Lodges in a statement.
7. White Rhino Hotel
The White Rhino Hotel in Nyeri has also taken a hit and will be suspending operations from March 27, 2020.
"With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we have had to make a difficult decision ... It is with great dificulty that we notify you that we have resolved to close ALL our facilities from 27th March, 2020. Since this is a developing situation globally, we are not in a position yo state when we will resume our operations, However, like everybody else, we hope that this pandemic ends soon," said The White Rhino Hotel.
8. Maiyan
Maiyan, in Nanyuki, will not be taking any more guests.
"In light of the outbreak of COVID-19, Maiyan has temporarily ceased normal operations and is currently not taking any reservations until further notice," wrote Maiyan General Manager, Omar Ikram.
