NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – The coronavirus pandemic has forced Fairmont The Norfolk and Fairmont Safari Club to close shop indefinitely and fire its entire workforce.
In a statement, the company’s Country Manager Mehdi Morad said the coronavirus pandemic is preventing the hotel chain from carrying out its contractual obligations, compelling it to close down as well as terminate the services of all its employees.
“Since this pandemic is an event which is outside the control of anyone person or
organization and has resulted in preventing our Hotels from carrying out their contractual
obligations,” Morad said.
Adding that “we are compelled to close down the properties and halt all operations as per the directive from the Ministry of Health and the Government of Kenya, in order to allow and
facilitate the precautionary measures recommended to contain the spread of the virus and
for everyone to stay at home until further notice.”
With the decision, the company will, therefore, cease to operate its 2 hotels. The company operates the Nairobi-based Fairmont The Norfolk and the Fairmont Mara Safari Club.
The company has also blamed the recent flooding at Fairmont Mara Safari Club for their decision to close.
“These unprecedented natural causes have resulted in the disruption of our business now and in the foreseeable future. Due to the uncertainty of when and how the impact of the global Pandemic will result in the business picking up in the near future, we are left with no option but to close down the business indefinitely.”
Morad said employees will hence be entitled to one month’s pay in lieu of notice, and will be entitled to their pension as per the rules of the Scheme.
“Employees will receive their termination letters with the terms stipulated above by end of day June 05, 2020.”
