Hotel industry urges gov’t to reconsider PCR test mandate for visitors

AMMAN — Representatives of the hotel industry have urged the government to reconsider the new mandate for hotel visitors to conduct a PCR test, as it has already negatively affected the industry and is expected to further decrease reservation rates, according to sector representatives.  

“Hotel reservation cancellation rates have exceeded 70 per cent after the government imposed the obligatory PCR test for hotel visitors,” President of the Jordan Hotel Association Abdul Hakim Al Hindi, told The Jordan Times. 

Hindi noted that conference and bazaar attendants are exempt from the PCR test, however, attendants of New Year’s Eve and wedding parties’ have to show evidence of a negative PCR test that has been taken no more than 48 hours prior to the event.

“A number of New Year’s parties, in addition to pre-planned weddings, have been cancelled after the government’s decision,” Hindi added.

According to a Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities statement, locals and foreigners attending official events in the Kingdom have to show proof of a vaccination, in addition to a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to the event. 

“There is a real concern from our industry that business owners, who are already struggling to recover and who are now facing the most critical period of the year, will be the ones who must enforce the new government decision,” a hotel owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Jordan Times.

He added that evidence shows this will negatively impact footfall and increase costs during the most important time of the year.

“As one of the most heavily impacted industries, and the one singled out repeatedly for restrictions, we are facing an unknown future. Our industry will have to fight to save businesses,” Kareem Ramahi, a wedding hall owner, told The Jordan Times. 

Ramahi stated that in his opinion, a proof of vaccination should be enough for wedding attendants. 

According to Ramahi, it is “not acceptable to invite people to a ceremony and ask them to undergo a PRC test prior to the ceremony”.

He added that conducting a privately run PCR test costs at least JD15, which is over the daily wage for the majority of Jordanian employees. Oftentimes, the free-of-charge government-run PCR tests do not come back without 48 hours.

Jordan is currently listed on the “red” travel lists in most of the EU countries, Hindi noted, adding “therefore, European tourists are not encouraged to visit the country due to the obligatory quarantine that will be imposed upon their arrival to their countries”.