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As Oahu braces for the return of tourism and the opening of schools, Honolulu will be using the Park Shore Hotel and the Waikiki Beachside Hostel as quarantine and isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients, according to a city news release.

The two additions mean Honolulu and the Hawaii Department of Health have up to 452 rooms for COVID-positive island residents who don’t have anywhere else to safely isolate and recover, the release states. City first responders can also use the facilities if they come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.

A city contract with the Park Shore reserves up to 221 hotel rooms from Oct. 15 through Dec. 30, according to the release. The city can “activate” rooms in phases of 80, 150 or all 221 rooms as necessary with five business days’ notice to the hotel. The rooms won’t be paid for unless the city needs them.

Under an agreement with DOH, clients will have access to health services including assessment, intake, transportation, meals and overnight monitoring, the release states.

“We want to prepare for any possible increase in COVID-19 cases and to keep impacts controlled to ensure that the City can support the opening of businesses and the restart of the island economy,” Mayor Kirk Caldwell said in a statement.

The Waikiki Beachside has 46 apartment units – 42 one-bedrooms and four studios – with on-site parking and laundry facilities, the release states. That facility is aimed at serving “unsheltered and vulnerable” people with COVID-19 symptoms who are awaiting test results, the mayor said.

“The brief stay provides stabilization services and an opportunity for more stable long-term services and housing,” Caldwell said.

At a press conference, the mayor was asked how much the hotels cost in federal CARES dollars. He said he didn’t know. A follow-up request for that information sent to his office on Monday was not answered. DOH funds will cover the wraparound services.