Hotels that pivoted into quarantine sites during the pandemic are beginning the tough transition back to regular trade.  

The state government has ended hotel quarantine amid the launch of its Wellcamp facility in Toowoomba.

But the hotels that participated in the quarantine program can’t shift back so easily, left with extensive damage from lobby to penthouse.

Hotel Grand Chancellor General Manager Peter Yared told Sofie Formica the aftermath is worse than you’d think.

First, there’s the issue of a staff shortage after workers were cut back to a skeleton crew.

“People are staying 14 days so you didn’t clean the room every day.

“Check-ins and check-outs are only every 14 days … so we didn’t have a lot of reception staff.

“With food and beverage, basically we put food in a paper bag and delivered it outside your door.”

It means the hotel will need to find and train almost an entire roster.

The Hotel Grand Chancellor also suffered plenty of physical damage.

“There’s lots of collateral damage from being used as a quarantine hotel,” Mr Yared continued. “Everything’s just about got to be redone.”

Press PLAY below to hear why there was more wear and tear over the last 18 months 

Image: Getty