Experiences and Concerns of Female Hotel Housekeepers in the First Stages of the Covid-19 Lockdown in the Balearic Islands (Spain): A Qualitative Study

Strongly enforced mobility restrictions to deter the spread of COVID-19 severely impacted tourism, a pivotal economic sector Balearic Islands. Little is known about experiences most economically affected groups, such as hotel housekeepers. This study aimed explore and concerns housekeepers (approximately 13,000 worked in Islands before pandemic) during first stages lockdown. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone April 2020. Thematic analysis was used for interpretation. Eighteen interviewed. Main identified were: (a) distress due employment status situation, (b) children’s education, (c) health-related concerns, mainly regarding possibility infecting someone, (d) feelings related home confinement (e.g., sense security against infection, tedium, boredom). Uncertainty permeated all discourses, generating fear distress, particularly general situation. Our findings shed light on impact public health measures control different areas life housekeepers, one occupational groups. The trade-off between economics must be considered future decisions health.