A hotel group has opened some of their partner hotels in the Mindanao to accommodate medical frontliners and other workers who are finding it hard to go home because of the threat they are facing as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.
In a statement, the management of OYO Hotels and Homes its move is in support of the medical workers who have been assigned as among those treating patients and other activities in related to the pandemic.
The hotel brand assured that they are strictly following the protocols imposed by the government.
“It is part of our responsibility as a provider of essential services and a key stakeholder in the tourism and travel industry to ensure that those who are in need of clean and comfortable living spaces have access to this necessity, especially during this challenging situation,” said Ankit Gupta, country head of OYO Hotels & Homes in the Philippines, in a statement.
To support medical and health COVID-19 frontliners in Mindanao, OYO is offering discounts to practitioners from hospitals within a five-kilometer radius of its partner properties.
The company is also closely coordinating with call centers and other business process outsourcing and other similar businesses for the accommodation requirements for their employees as well as foreigners who have been affected by the lockdown order.
OYO management also said that this deed is in response to the need for more accommodations raised by individuals on social media and also the appeal of some local government units and non-government organizations.
It added that 24 of its properties in Mindanao were reopened.
“OYO has 500 rooms available for occupancy in the region, and the company is currently working on the possibility of opening more should the need arise,” it added.
The brand has started accepting clients from hospitals and companies that needed accommodation for their employees since March 25.
Among the accommodation properties are Humberto’s Hotel, Sunny Point Hotel, Dads Bayview Pension
The West Inn, Deck 360, Braveheart Residency, Anisabel Suites, Capital O Asrodel, Diakopes Inn, Davao Airport View Hotel, Circle B Suites, Chateau Cinco Dormitel, D’ Abirus Inn, Yellow Pad, Sharana Pensionne, Capital O World Palace, Samantha’s Apartelle, Stonewood Hotel, KTI Travelers Inn, Pensionne Alonso, Kathy’s Home Garden Suites, Sakura Suites, Edilberto’s Bread and Breakfast. Vines Ape Nap.
Meanwhile, the brand said it does not encourage walk-in guests to ensure the safety of both its customers and staff.
“It is part of our responsibility as a provider of essential services and a key stakeholder in the tourism and travel industry to ensure that those who are in need of clean and comfortable living spaces have access to this necessity, especially during this challenging situation,” Gupta cited in a statement.
Gupta has also expressed his gratitude to OYO’s partners, saying, “OYO is fortunate to be working with these kind and caring souls, and I would like to thank them for responding to our call for help quickly. When we reached out to our partners and requested their support to do our part to help the Philippines during these unprecedented times, everyone wholeheartedly agreed.”
Offered rooms at OYO partner hotels are within close proximity of hospitals.
OYO also hopes to alleviate some of their burden and ensure they have ready access to quality living spaces to “rest and refresh themselves before continuing to save more lives.”
OYO has also expressed their salute to these medical frontliners for the continuing the hard work.
All other services and facilities at the hotels such as swimming pools, gyms and spas are closed in compliance with the government regulation to practice social distancing.
OYO also assured that sanitation is well-observed in their facilities and both staff and guests are encouraged to wear masks.
To avail of this service, hospitals and companies just need to provide the names of the employees and their personal details.
