With the threat of Covid-19 people are hunkering down and sheltering in place. Governments all around the world are enforcing strict stay ah home orders and asking the public to practice social distancing. The government in Pakistan is employing similar measures to protect the public and contain the spread of the disease.
Traveling has been mostly banned including to other cities. And of course, this has greatly affected the tourism industry all around the world.
PC hotel has come up with a way to offer discount packages during coronavirus
The hotel is offering ‘Distancing In Comfort’, which is basically you staying in their hotel rooms for a luxurious experience of social distancing. They have the offer up on their website, and packages start from PKR 10,499 + tax per day!
But they have generously offered 3 complimentary meals a day, hand sanitizer and a mask each guest! What a bargain right?
People don’t seem very happy about it though and rightly so. Daily wage laborers and other lower income households are struggling to make ends meet. You can feed 3 families of 5 people each for a month in the amount of money a night at PC would cost! Imagine.
When we are going to start eating the rich, it is imperative to start from the Pakistani elite. All elite are shameless in the same way but Pakistani elite are shameless in a singularly insensitive way. People don't have anything to eat, but life of the elite must go on: pic.twitter.com/ZjiR21IB6a
— Hurmat Ali Shah (@iconcoclastary) April 5, 2020
People were shocked that this was even an offer…
Rs.10,400 can get you monthly staples for two under-privileged families.
If not even a pandemic then what else would rake up the conscience of the elites? https://t.co/cL9ZRCAlZP— Ali (@a_aliabbas) April 6, 2020
Dukh hota hay aisien chezien dekh kr. https://t.co/P89Xzyqqpz
— S (@heytheresaif) April 6, 2020
HOMYGOD. Shut down this disaster capitalism right fucking now, and turn Five Star hotels with zero occupancy into isolation centers right goddamn now. This is actually beyond disgusting @Hashoo_Hotels https://t.co/RxAomQJ0pQ
— Kala Kawa (@kaalakawaa) April 6, 2020
Others were upset because the hotel had allegedly let go of staff and had done cuts to run its facilities but was clearly trying to make more money off of guests
https://twitter.com/xmahsud/status/1247222762495791104?s=20
Some hoped hotels would be turned into isolation centers instead of these luxury “quarantine” vacations for the rich
Hotels should be turned into isolation centres. And govt should pay to keep people there or perhaps the elite can pitch in some from their next travel allowance. But I guess that’s a very unrealistic solution during a pandemic when you can make 10,499 per night. https://t.co/zuuGu2aoXG
— leena #FreePalestine🇵🇸 (@Leena_Ghani) April 6, 2020
Some people did point out that the hotel had specified those who were from outside of the city were not allowed
Well, maybe that’s one way for the hotel to try and ensure that their discounts don’t start a “tourism” craze during lockdown?
*city residents only – agla hi koi level hay bhai!
— Umer Farooq (@umerasks) April 6, 2020
Others suggested that calling out the hotel was silly because we should let people choose how they want to spend their own money
Plus it would help hotel staff keep their jobs. But is it a good thing that the hotel staff has jobs but is put at risk by having to interact with guests who could potentially give them the virus?
It's your prerogative on how you spend your money. None of anyone's business. As long as the taxes and other dues are paid it's no one elses concern
— Smr (@umysmum) April 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/acerbtrenchant/status/1247437425695232000?s=20
While it is everyone’s personal choice on how they choose to spend their money, PC hotel trying to profit of such a situation does seem a little tasteless. Especially since the terms and conditions state that you can make a booking for a maximum of 3 days and then extend it day by day… are they really thinking of helping people isolate in comfort or just how to maximize profits from the situation?
What do you think of PC hotel’s quarantine deals? Let us know in the comments below.
