Hotel Entrepreneur Compares Covid-19 Pandemic Period to Weekly Work-from-Home

Hotel entrepreneurs have spoken out regarding the government’s planned work-from-home (WFH) policy for civil servants (ASN) and private sector workers, intended to save fuel consumption. This responds to the domino effect of the intensifying Iran War in the Middle East, raising concerns about a global energy crisis.

General Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Maulana Yusran, stated that the WFH policy to be implemented has both positive and negative impacts.

“The WFH policy that the government will implement actually has both positive and negative impacts. Because we also experienced times like that during Covid-19, when there was also a WFH policy,” said Maulana to CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

From the negative side, he said, this policy will impact hotel restaurants, where usually many workers spend money on breakfast at hotels.

“Taking the example from during Covid, we observed in Bodetabek alone, many people working in Jakarta leave early in the morning and arrive at the office early. They usually spend at restaurants providing breakfast. But during Covid, they didn’t go to the office, so many restaurants closed,” continued Maulana.

In addition, meetings at hotels will also decrease with the WFH policy.

“Business people’s activities as well. They often hold meetings at places like restaurants, cafes, and hotels. With the WFH policy, it will certainly lead to a decline,” explained Maulana.

However, from the positive side, the WFH policy can encourage the hospitality and restaurant sectors to innovate to attract customers, even if they don’t have to visit in person.

“But from the positive side, perhaps restaurants and hotels can increase their innovation, such as delivering food and drinks at hotel restaurants or other innovations,” he revealed.

His side has not yet determined the exact impact of the policy’s implementation, as it still needs to see the policy and other aspects.

“But what the impact will be, we don’t know yet; it comes back to it, there will definitely be impacts from WFH. Especially since it’s reportedly only once a week,” said Maulana.