'Amman's Everest Hotel closed down over safety, health violations'

AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has closed down Everest Hotel in Amman over public safety violations, a GAM official said on Thursday. 

GAM Spokesperson Izzedin Shammout said the place served as a hotel although it did not meet the tourist regulations for that purpose. 

"They do not provide hosting services and a hotel should do that," he told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

The municipality official said Everest Hotel only has entertainment facilities including a swimming pool, an events hall and a gym.

He noted that Everest also served expired meals that jeopardise public health. 

"We are concerned about people's health and we cannot accept this." 

Shammout said the municipality gave Everest Hotel with a grace period to address violations that were recorded last year, but it did not do so. 

"In order to reopen the place, they have to pay the fine, which is JD20, and get the approval of the Civil Defence Department, because the hall does not meet safety requirements," he added. 

The publicity of the hotel's closing for not following safety and health regulations should provide a motive for other business owners to abide by the rules, Shammout said.