As Pandemic Rages On, Hotels Begin Turning Into ‘Halfway Hospitals'

If the global pandemic spurred hospitality players to pivot to offering staycations and delivering food to consumers in a bid to keep their business engines from coming to a grinding halt, the second Covid wave has brought them even closer to the battle. Some hotel operators are tying up with hospitals to offer their properties as ‘halfway hospitals’ for patients battling Covid-19.

- Pavan Lall

ITC hotels have designated four locations so far for repurposing. An official says, “Most of these hotels have a reasonably large inventory. The intention is to support the cause and help add to the supply of rooms/beds. It is need-based and will be evaluated from time to time.” The way it works is that guests who wish to avail of this facility are guided to the affiliated hospital, which assesses their condition and validates the level of care, medical attention, or treatment needed. “Asymptomatic guests are then assigned by the hospital to Welcomhotels.”