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OYO Hotels forms COVID-19 fund, founder waives his salary

Previously the company offered free rooms to medical personnel in the U.S.

Ed Brock
By Ed BrockApr 06, 2020
Ed Brock
Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently assistant editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
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OYO HOTEL OWNERS have created the OYO Welfare Fund to help employees at OYO properties and partner companies affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or the consequent social restrictions worldwide. Also, Ritesh Agarwal, OYO Hotels and Homes founder and group CEO, is foregoing his entire salary for the rest of 2020.

Money from the India-based company’s Welfare Fund, to which OYO owners and employees donate, also will go to help communities surrounding OYO hotels. The company will donate $3.5 million to the fight against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

“The current situation world over is deeply concerning to each and every one of us,” Agarwal said in a statement. “I honestly believe that it is our responsibility to come together and give back the love and support we have always received from everyone.”

The company announced on March 24 that all of its hotels will offer free stays to medical workers who are traveling to fight the virus.

“All of us at OYO are grateful for the bravery and sacrifices all the medical personnel are making to save lives and stop the spread of Covid-19,” Agarwal said.  “Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this terrible illness.”

Reservations can be made at 628-213-7020 with the code OYO4FIRSTRESPONDERS.

“Since the disease started, OYO has been distributing masks, sanitizers and other personal protective gear across markets to ensure the safety of its colleagues who were on the frontline before country-specific lockdowns,” the company said in a statement. “OYO is encouraging the highest levels of hygiene across our buildings and extended all possible support to our asset partners as they navigate through these tough times.”

The company also features regular information updates on the COVID-19 pandemic on its blog.

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