SAN DIEGO — The beloved Hotel del Coronado is temporarily suspending all hotel operations as of Thursday, News 8 confirmed with the hotel Wednesday night after it was reported by the Coronado Times. The paper posted a letter to its website from the general manager of the hotel Harold Rapoza Jr. saying the impact of novel coronavirus/COVID-19 is causing them to halt operations "for the first time in its 132-year history."
"This difficult decision is reflective of the current business environment and not a result of illness or confirmed cases at the hotel. Our hotel security team will be on-site 24/7 to ensure this National Historic Landmark remains protected for our future guests," the letter read in part.
The letter, addressed to the community of Coronado, went on to say they were in the process of notifying guests and anyone with upcoming reservations should contact Hilton Reservations and Customer Care.
Construction on Hotel del projects will continue within the limits of "California Governor Newsom’s orders and in accordance with the health and safety policies of our general contractor."
The Hotel del Coronado was built in 1888 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977. It has been the backdrop for several movies over the years including "Some Like It Hot" with Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis which filmed on Coronado Beach in 1958 and is a treasured part of San Diego County to residents and visitors alike.
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BACKGROUND:
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you’re not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask.