PHILADELPHIA—After two years, the City’s dedicated hotel to house vulnerable populations who cannot safely isolate or quarantine is closing. As a result of a decline in utilization and the City’s evolving response to the pandemic, the hotel is being closed. The hotel was able to provide safe isolation or quarantine space to more than 2,400 people who each stayed for an average of more than eight days each.

“To be able to provide safe spaces for our most vulnerable residents has been one of the more challenging but most rewarding parts of the Health Department’s response to the COVID pandemic,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. “I want to thank every person who has contributed to this effort, including our staff, our partners, and every Philadelphian who donated items to ensure that our guests were well taken care of.”

The City’s Isolation and Quarantine hotel operations began on March 30, 2020 and will be closing on March 19, 2022. Hotel operations were first located at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown-Philadelphia and then moved to the Rodeway Inn. The more than 2,400 guests stayed at the hotel for an average of more than eight days. More than 118,000 meals were served at the hotel, including meals specifically created for people with diabetes, meals that kids would be excited about, and meals tailored to Afghan refugee guests. On November 11, 2020, isolation and quarantine staff successfully and safely evacuated the 24 guests in the hotel in response to a fire. Health Department staff were supported by staff from the Office of Homeless Services, Gaudenzia, DBH Peers, CATCH, GHR nurses and ELCO.

Isolation and quarantine space for Philadelphians who do not have homes will be provided at the City’s Office of Homeless Services CRIS (COVID-19 Recovery and Isolation Site).

In gratitude to everyone who supported the isolation and quarantine hotel effort, the Health Department published a thank you video, available on the Health Department’s YouTube channel.