Ever since the national lockdown was initiated on March25 to prevent spread of the coronavirus, all forms oftransport, including air, have been suspended while manybusinesses have been closed.
The lockdown has totally altered the hospitality sectorlandscape making the hotels focus on their social commitmentrather than wooing guests.
With the usual buzz missing, the pandemic has made thehotel staff wear masks, use sanitiser and request the gueststo frequently wash their hands and remain safe in their rooms.
"We are using thermal scanners to check our guests.Pilotsfrom the cargo flights are also checked for temperature andrequested to take all precautions," sources at the Le MeridienHotel, close to the city airport, said.
The Ascott's accommodates expats based in India, thosewho are in the city for medical treatment and guests affectedby closure of borders due to the lockdown.
They had to celebrate Easter and Tamil New Years daywithout the usual fanfare.
Ascott Somerset Greenways and Citadines OMR offered ahome away from home experience to the guests, with themanagement rolling out various initiatives to keep the moraleof guests and staff high during this tough phase.
The feature standard rooms and suites with a fullyequipped kitchen allowed guests to cook for themselves if theywished, or order from the in-room dining menu.
The guest services team provided grocery shopping toensure that the guests stayed indoors.
Apart from providing food to the medical professionalsinvolved in treating COVID-19 cases, GRT Hotels and Resortsoffered food to migrant workers.
"Since the lockdown was announced, we prepared over15,000 food packets daily across our hotels and distributed tothe people who were extremely poor and had no resources toturn to.
These meals were also delivered to our courageousheroesthe community of doctors, nurses, numerous hospitalstaff and policemen who have put themselves in harm's way,"Vikram Cotah, Chief Operating Officer, GRT Hotels and Resorts,said.
The employees also reached out to over 100 stray dogs bycooking over 13 kg rice and four kg meat daily, he added. COR SA APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH