OYO makes more than 2,000 rooms available for key workers

OYO Hotels and Homes has announced it is to open its doors at many of its UK hotels to accommodate key workers who are unable to work from home and are in need of places to stay close to their place of employment.

The company has introduced significantly reduced fixed rate pricing across its UK properties to remove unpredictability, allowing individuals and businesses to accurately budget for contingency accommodation.

The government’s guidance on key workers outlines private as well as public sector workers who have been identified as critical to keeping supply chains functioning and maintaining public safety and national security.

Hotels under the OYO brand remain independently owned and the majority of the 200+ properties are also independently operated. 

Rishabh Gupta, head of OYO UK said: “A number of hotels under the OYO brand have already partnered with NHS Trusts and councils to offer rooms to those in need – something we are still exploring with other hotel owners and will announce more on soon. 

“More immediately, these fixed rates are available to key workers in any sector who might need to cut out lengthy commutes or avoid returning home each night to a household they might share with more vulnerable individuals.” 

He added: “This is not an exercise in profitability. Rates have been set on the assumption of longer stay guests and to cover the minimum costs of keeping these hotels operational under the current circumstances. 

OYO works with small- and medium-sized, independently-owned hotels and we are grateful to our owners for their cooperation and their efforts in making sure the doors stay open for key workers during these times.”