A pandemic that has bruised all industries - hospitality and aviation the most, has brought to the forefront examples of hotel owners as well as frontline staff and their valiant efforts in fighting COVID-19.

With the COVID-19 outbreak spreading across 210+ countries and territories, the world is faced with one of the most difficult times in human history. Talking about India, there has been unprecedented support pouring in from various corners of the country to support first responders, stranded domestic and international tourists and essential service professionals who are at war with the virus at the frontlines.

A pandemic that has bruised all industries - hospitality and aviation the most, has brought to the forefront examples of hotel owners as well as frontline staff and their valiant efforts in fighting COVID-19. Some of these stories from OYO Hotels & Homes in various cities will deepen your faith in humanity and urge each one of us to do our bit in this fight against the pandemic together.

Vikram Rajput of Ahmedabad has two properties in the city where guests are staying currently. In one of his properties, there are 5 guests staying at present. Sensing that the payment for stay during the extended lockdown would be difficult for his guests, Vikram has not charged his guests for the accommodation and also provided them with hygienic food and water free of cost strictly on humanitarian grounds. Vikram is also serving 1200 food packets to the needy every day. His hotel has been converted to a quarantine center, now available to anyone who feels the need to isolate themselves in this situation.

Another OYO asset owner, Harshal Sharma, owner of Golf Stays has two properties in Gurgaon. Harshal was one of the few to provide accommodation to migrant workers. He also donates close to 200 meals every day to the less fortunate stranded tourists and workers in Gurgaon.

Virendra Ghabane of Nagpur has also been extending a warm stay for his stranded corporate guests from Punjab. At White House Regency, an OYO Hotel, he has housed guests from Punjab at minimal fees as they were stranded by the precautionary lockdown.

Another very inspiring story is that of Vanessa Sequeira - She is not an asset owner. She is a 21-year old frontline executive at OYO Townhouse in Goregaon, Mumbai. In her capacity, Vanessa’s whole-hearted efforts have ensured that guests feel safe, secure and well-rested during these difficult times. Vanessa says that she is proud to be a part of OYO and salutes the spirit of each and every colleague and all those who are at the frontlines making it possible for millions to stay safe. Like Vanessa, Manish Kumar Singh and Shailesh Kannaujiya are two members of OYO’s team (front desk executive and housekeeping respectively) who are selflessly ensuring the health and safety of guests at OYO Townhouse Kandivali, Mumbai; a hotel that has been converted to a quarantine facility for symptomatic individuals.

At present, OYO, as well as many other travel and hospitality companies, are focussed on supporting the government in its efforts to curb the pandemic. These stories from across the country bring to the front a deep sense of solidarity and social responsibility displayed by the hospitality industry, which is one of the worse impacted sectors in times of COVID-19.