UPSCALE HOTELS IN Shanghai catering to business travellers are taking the bird flu threat seriously. They are closely monitoring developments, enforcing strict requirements on employee hygiene and buying poultry products only from certified producers.
Some hotels have even set up contingency plans for a bird flu outbreak in the city and, if necessary, for a pandemic.
'Marriott has been monitoring the avian flu situation for several months by keeping in touch with scientists and health organisations around the world,' said Kelly Sum, director of communications at the JW Marriott Shanghai. 'Marriott has a company-wide Pandemic Preparedness Task Force, with plans and procedures in place to deal with a variety of influenzas and viruses.'
The plan covers the hotel chain's 26 properties in China and Hong Kong. Staff meet with local and national agencies regularly to ensure requirements are followed.
The Portman Ritz-Carlton's corporate office has developed a similar plan. Its Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan is adapted to each hotel's specific needs.
Ralph Grippo, vice-president and area general manager of The Portman Ritz-Carlton, said the plan covered everything from housekeeping, human resources and hygiene supplies to employee training.
A 29-year-old migrant worker in Shanghai died of bird flu last week, the first human case in China's largest commercial city.