The Kamloops Accommodation Association says there have been conversations among different hotels in the city to see if they're prepared if the government comes calling for rooms (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

COVID-19

Kamloops Accommodation Association says hotels assessing preparedness for workers, patients during COVID-19 crisis

Mar 31, 2020 | 4:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — The president of the Kamloops Accommodation Association says there are a few other hotels in the city that are preparing for potential government requests to utilize their spaces if the COVID-19 crisis worsens in Kamloops.

Tyson Andrykew says preparations are being made currently in town to welcome more frontline workers. He says local hotels could also be used for people to isolate if necessary, and even welcoming hospital patients, similar to what the Vancouver Convention Centre is becoming, as a place for non-COVID-19 patients.

“There’s a few hotels that I’ve discussed this with and they’re talking primarily around just being in that same sort of planning stage if the government comes and asks for rooms for first responders or for any sort of emergency personnel, or a temporary site like they’ve been setting up in other areas of the province,” noted Andrykew. “I believe hotels are just thinking about that and analyzing if that’s something they’re capable of doing.”