In the constant race to provide adequate beds for the increasing COVID-19 cases, the civic body issued a circular on Thursday to form linkages between hospitals and 4- and 5-star hotels where patients not needing emergency care would be moved.

Amid the increasing instances of people not requiring hospitalisation or emergency care but occupying beds, especially in private ones, the civic body has issued a circular to keep such patients to nearby 4- or 5-star hotels. As per BMC’s circular, it will work with hospitals to identify closely located hotels and form links with them to set up step-down facilities.