TST Hotel Guests Evacuated 'due To More Covid Cases'

A Tsim Sha Tsui hotel was on Friday evacuating all of its guests following reports that more of its employees have tested positive for Covid-19.

The news comes as sources told RTHK that the city is expected to report eight new coronavirus cases on Friday, which includes employees at the Royal Garden Hotel on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui East.

The hotel said it received a notice from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on Thursday night, and said all the guests will need to be evacuated before noon on Friday.

The hotel posted on its website that they would temporarily suspend operations until October 22, and the premises will be disinfected in the meantime.

It said it will help evacuated guests arrange for stays in other hotels upon request.

Tens of guests were seen in the lobby checking out of the hotel before noon on Friday. It is understood that about 57 hotel staff have been sent to quarantine centres.

One female guest told RTHK she was staying at the hotel temporarily because there were renovation works being carried out at her home.

She said had received a letter and a call from hotel management the previous night that they would have to be evacuated, and said the hotel have already arranged for her to stay at another hotel nearby and the arrangements were smooth.

One male guest said he was not worried about getting infected because staff at the hotel always wore face masks and he also kept his mask on.

On Tuesday, health authorities confirmed that a waiter at a Vietnamese restaurant at the hotel called Le Soleil had contracted the virus. The source of infection was unknown.

The CHP has already quarantined hotel staff who had been in close contact with the waiter, and also offered tests for guests and other staff.