As it has always been, the safety and security of our guests and associates remain our highest priority. We have been closely monitoring the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar statements regarding the corona virus (COVID-19) situation in Myanmar.

Specific steps we are taking include:

Hand Hygiene: Proper and frequent hand washing is vital to help combat the spread of viruses. In our daily meetings, our teams are reminded that cleanliness starts with this simple act. It’s important for their health and that of our guests.

Cleaning Products and Practices: Our hotels use cleaning products and protocols which are effective against viruses, including:

Guest Rooms: Hotels use cleaning and disinfecting procedures to clean rooms after guests depart and before the next guest arrives, with particular attention paid to high-touch items.

Public Spaces: Hotels have increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting in public spaces, with a focus on the counter at the front desk, door handles, public bathrooms, and even room keys, parking area, hotel entrance, lobby, restaurant, Golf Equipment, and Spa.

Back of House: In the spaces where associates work “behind the scenes,” hotels are increasing the frequency of cleaning and focusing on high-touch areas like staff lockers, storage rooms, all back offices and staff offices.

Ongoing Training: In addition to training on housekeeping and hygiene protocols, hotel associates are also completing enhanced COVID-19 awareness training.

We take standards for hygiene and cleanliness very seriously and are taking additional steps to ensure the safety of our guests during in the property. On a daily basis, our hotel team are working to ensure that they meet the latest guidance on hygiene, social distancing and cleaning processes.

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When it appears that the COVID-19 disease is more deadly than seasonal influenza, it is obvious that your guests are afraid to travel or consider any other accommodation option safe. 

But, as a hotel, you can adopt a few preventive measures, and assure a safe stay for your guests. 

Well, we have covered the what, why and how of COVID-19 and which preventive measures hotels should take to assure a safe stay to your guests. 

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others circulating among animals, including camels, cats and bats

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made a dedicated page that has comprehensive information on COVID-19. You can explore more of this outbreak from here.

How does it spread?

Coronaviruses in human spread just like the flu or a cold (from person to person). Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others.

• Through the air by coughing or sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it
• Occasionally, faecal contamination

What are its symptoms?

The basic symptoms of the COVID-19 can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 
• Runny nose

The symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Reported illnesses have ranged from people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. 

How to keep your hotel safe from Coronavirus?

As a hotel, you should act immediately and start introducing preventive measures. Following are mandatory actions that you should immediately bring into practice:

1. Keep your staff aware of the disease

Though 99% of your staff must be fairly familiar with the outbreak to some extent. We would still recommend you to arrange a meeting and make them aware of it to all corners.  

Educate them about the preventive measures that they should take on your hotel premises. Also, brief them about the guidelines provided by the local health authorities.

2. Check whether any of your staff or guests have been infected

Have the infrared thermometers at your frontdesk to conduct temperature checks on all guests. Your staff can request all your newly arrived guests to measure their body temperature via a thermal scanner placed near the entrance. 

If you find any guests who are unwell with any symptoms of fever, flu or respiratory problems, ask them to consult a doctor immediately. Ask the sick suspicious guests to get their check-up done at the nearest clinic, checking in to the hotel. Take extra care while catering to international guests.  

3. Ensure cleanliness in every corner of your hotel

The COVID-19 virus spreads through the surface as well. So make sure every corner of your hotel is cleaned. 

Especially the surfaces or areas which are used frequently by your guests and staff members such as, the doors, the reception area, the front desk, lift or elevator buttons and so on. You can also apply plastic insulating films on the lift and elevator buttons, and change it every day to avoid germs spreading. 

Above all, if you have an in-house restaurant, ensure the cleanliness of your kitchen. Ask your chefs to wear surgical masks and wash their hands frequently.

All buffet or semi-buffet food should be served in smaller portions. It should be replaced or replenished every 30 minutes to avoid contamination. The crockery and utensils used at the buffet counters, including tongs, spoons and under liner should be changed and sanitized.

Besides, ensure that tableware including salt & pepper shakers, toothpick holders, sugar container, tent cardholders, menus and bill folders are being cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis.  

In addition to this, the main entrance and carpets at the hotel’s lobby are sprayed with qualified disinfectant every hour.

4. Use sanitizers and masks 

Provide your staff members with surgical masks, alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) and gloves to wear. Ask them to always wear masks and use sanitizer frequently.  

If it is feasible, try to install the alcohol-based disinfectant hand rub dispensers at your front desk, reception area, in-house restaurant, cafe, meeting rooms or hotel lobbies. If you can’t, then at least keep big bottles of sanitizers at all these places. 

Keep sanitizers and surgical masks in each hotel room. Encourage your hotel staff as well as your guests to use sanitizers frequently. 

Keep helpful signs of washing hands and using sanitizers in common areas of your hotel.

5. Avoid handshakes. Do ‘Mingalabar’

Well, the handshake is a great way of transferring different microbes like viruses and bacteria from one person to another. So for the time being, ask your staff members to avoid shaking their hands with guests. Also, they should avoid frequent physical contact internally. 

Even the health experts warn that shaking hands is a prime way to spread the coronavirus. You should adopt some different methods of greeting people, like elbow bumps or Mingalabar. 

6. Maintain records

You should maintain accurate guest records. This includes maintaining guest registration records (name, ID Proofs, and other details), data of electronic locks, and security camera tapes. This is especially important if someone in your hotel has been diagnosed with the virus.

These records should be kept for a minimum of 90 days.

7. Check where your supply is coming from

Keep a tab on your suppliers and other outsourcing agencies. 

Ensure megastores from where you are getting inventory for your in-house restaurant is safe from COVID-19. None of your food or beverage should be sourced from Hubei province or Wuhan city, where the Novel Coronavirus originated from.

Besides, check whether the laundry services agencies are taking some preventive measures. 

So, this was all about how you can keep your hotel safe from corona virus.

And most importantly, when you are taking all these measures, keep your guests posted about the same. Highlight these measures being taken at your hotel in real-time on your website and social media pages. So, your guests can know that their stay at your hotel is going to be safe and pleasant. 

You have to take these measures sincerely, to be safe from this outbreak. Along with, as a hotel owner/manager consider these preventive measures for yourself too and be safe.

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This year 2019 is 160 years of Mandalay City, as the memorial day, the Royal families members organized and celebrate the donations with Mandalay citizens.

Hotel by the Red Canal family participate the donation to 160 monks with the Royal Families and the Mandalarians.The donation held in the “Thudhamma Zayats”, at the footage of Mandalay Hill are the most notable Zayats.

When King Mindon first laid foundation for building Mandalay Yadanabon, the Royal City, The Thudhamma Zayats are included together with Royal Palace, Moat, Kuthodaw (known as world biggest book and UNESCO Heritage site), the Congregation Hall, the Incomparable Monastery (AH-TU-MASHI) and Pitakataik (Library).

This shows how much Myanmar People care about well-being of their guest.Zayat for visitors are available in almost all the villages of Myanmar. Any visitors are welcome to stay in any monastery if they prefer.

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May I kindly explain about our “Thingyan –Water Festival”. Thingyan, Myanmar Water Festival, takes place toward the end of the hot, dry season and ushers in the Myanmar New Year. This festival is also celebrated in neighboring Theravada Buddhist countries; Songkran in Thailand and Laos, Chaul Chnam Thmey in Cambodia.

The festival lasts three or five days. Standing on bamboo stages erected along the streets, people splash water on passersby. Powerful water pipes douse people driving by in jeeps and trucks.Children use water pistols to drench their friends, relatives, and anyone else in range – only monks and the elderly are safe. The water symbolizes the washing away of the previous year’s bad luck and sins. On New Year’s Day itself, all the water-throwing ends. This day is celebrated by releasing captive fish and birds as acts of merit, and special feasts are held for monks.

We would like to announce for the transportation and limousine services inconveniences during “Thingyan_Water Festival”. Everyone is enjoying and there can be difficult to find out transportations services/taxi services and traffic will happen this time.

Alert for your Safety

When you visit around the town please keep close your car wind shield mirror and leave your passports and important documents at hotel safety box or safety place. Pickpockets might be everywhere during these period. Please take care well yourself to be safety.

Beware of health hazard

Parents should ensure that their children consume food and drinks that are safe, clean and freshly cooked.

Especially, people with weak immune systems should avoid participating in water activities or going to crowded places.

According to dermatologists at skincare centres, the number of patients with sun-related skin conditions usually increases during this season as the temperature rises.

People are urged to use an umbrella when walking during the day, or wear a hat with a large brim.

Myanmar’s traditional thanaka cosmetic paste can also provide a measure of protection against the sun.

We hope that you were able to enjoy your holiday with us.

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Every people enjoy “Thingyan-Water Festival” and our hotel is going to celebrate “Water Festival” infront of the hotel with traditional mandat of coconut leaves and around our swimming pool side.

Serving with Myanmar traditional desserts and traditional dance performances and singing myanmar “Thingyan” songs within 3:00pm to 5:00pm during Thingyan Period. We are cordially invited you to stay with us and enjoy with us.

We are doing our best services to fulfill upon our valued guest. We hope that you were able to enjoy your holiday with us.

With Best Regards,
Hotel by the Red Canal Family

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Visitors may observe life-styles of six Naga ethnics such as Tangkhul, Makury, Para, Koka, Laungphury and Khiamniungan residing in Leshi Township and will have the opportunities to interview those people of Naga ethnics directly.

“The traditional houses of Naga ethnics were built with the aim of enabling the people to know their life-styles. After showing them as showrooms at the festival, the houses will be maintained by local tribes” said U Aung Htut.

Naga ethnic people will live at the traditional houses after the festival as part of maintenance. The local and foreign guests to Leshi Township ma stay at these traditional houses together with Naga ethnics.

Source: Yadanabon Newspaper

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MANDALAY,MYANMAR – YEAR 2018– HOTEL BY THE RED CANAL, the Beauty of Mandalay today extends congratulations to SPICE GARDEN RESTAURANT AND PRANA SPA local businesses that have earned the 2018 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its 12th year, the achievement celebrates businesses that have consistently earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Recipients of the Certificate of Excellence include accommodations, restaurants and attractions of all sizes that have continually delivered quality customer experience.

“We are delighted that so many local businesses in MANDALAY earned the 2018 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Mr. Kumar, General Manager of Hotel by the Red Canal “The recognition helps to set the benchmark on hospitality operational and service excellence in Mandalay and ensures that the industry is continuously striving to achieve customer service that is best-in-class for our visitors and the community.

“TripAdvisor is excited to announce the recipients of the 2018 Certificate of Excellence, which celebrates businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers,” said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition allows us to publicly honor businesses that are actively engaging with customers and using feedback to help travelers identify and confidently book the perfect trip.”

The Certificate of Excellence takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

Hotel by the Red Canal, Mandalay
the Beauty of Mandalay

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Knowing from one of the baskets makers said that this is a home-based job opportunity for them. They buy raw materials from the plastic factory in Industrial Zone 1 in the region, paying Ks 1,200 per Kilo.

They woven baskets for their survival and this is a family business in the region. Most married women working from home. There is a regular demand for the handmade woven plastic baskets, which are available in different sizes, designs and colors.

A woman makes handmade plastic woven baskets for selling in Amarapura Township, Mandalay. Photo: Tain Ta Man

They have mostly been sent to Shwebo, Myitkyina and Mandalay markets. The wholesale price for a basket is Ks 1,500. In the retail market, the price rose to Ks 2,000 from Ks 3,000. A local basket maker receive wages of Ks 500-Ks 600 per basket based on size.

Handmade baskets are one of the popular accessories of people for shopping groceries, flowers and meats at local markets and are boost income in Mandalay.

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According to the directorate of hotels and tourism, Mandalay hosted 203,145 foreign travelers between January and August.
This time last year, a total of 194,520 tourists entered the region. The majority of visitors are from China, Thailand, India, Singapore and Viet Nam. Citizens of Japan, Austria, New Zealand, Britain and the US also visited the region through border points of entry. They trips to Bagan-Nyaung U, Buddhist archaeological site, Mandalay Cultural Zone, the Ava ancient city continue all year round.

A scenic hill town PyinOoLwin is one of attractions in Mandalay and it is always crowded with visitors at home and abroad.
The directorate of hotels and tourism estimates that tourists arrivals in Mandalay is likely to increase than that of previous year.

Source—Global New Light of Myanmar ,Maung Pyi Thu (Mandalay)
Photo-Supplied

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Research programme has been continued by the Forest Department, Wildlife Conservation Society’s Myanmar Program and Turtle Survival Alliance in Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary, observing natural characters of star tortoises and their health.

Situated in Minbu Township, Magway Region, a total of 150 star tortoises (Geochelone Platynota), a critically endangered species, are naturally living in the sanctuary, according to a report of the Myawady Daily issued on Sunday. All of the total numbers, small radio transmitters have been installed on the back of 42 turtle’s upper shell to provide information for follow-up healthcare to those land-dwelling reptiles in the sanctuary. Altogether 50 tortoises have been placed in each 2.5-acre wide plot. Recording, mapping and calculation have been conducted by research team thrice a month.

The rare species is native to the dry and deciduous forests in the country. It can be found in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway regions. This kind of tortoise normally eats grass, weeds, leaves, flowers and other fibrous plants as well as earthworms and snails. The tortoises normally lay eggs up to four times a year.

There are three protected areas for star tortoises in the country: Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Bagan; Shwesettaw Wildlife Sanctuary in Minbu Township and Minsontaung Wildlife Sanctuary in Natogyi Township.

Source:Global New Light Of Myanmar
Photo: Supplied

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