Delhi to transform 25 luxury hotels into Covid-19 care centres

Key Take Away

Staff at luxury hotels in Delhi are to start welcoming guests not with traditional garlands but with a medical gown. Amid growing concerns that there are not enough hospital beds to cope with the rising number of cases, the Delhi government has become the first in the country to requisition its hotels. Each hotel will be linked with the nearest COVID-19 hospital.

Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has predicted that the capital needs 150,000 beds by the end of July when cases are estimated to rise to half a million

Hotel owners and management, already reeling from huge losses, are privately fuming, particularly as they were not consulted by the government on the decision to turn their facilities into hospitals or the 5,000 rupees (£53) per night tariff, inclusive of all meals, that has been fixed by the government.

For More Information Click Below :

www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/22/delhi-to-transform-25-luxury-hotels-into-covid-19-care-centres

NRAI launches New Chapter in Chandigarh, appoints Sunveer Sondhi as the Head

Key Take Away

National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) represents the interests of 500000+ restaurants across India. The Indian Restaurant Industry’s leading Association India launches New Chapter in Chandigarh and appoints Sunveer Sondhi as the Head of NRAI Chandigarh Chapter

Commenting on his new role as Head of NRAI’s Chandigarh Chapter, He said, “It is my honour to take up the responsibility as the Head of NRAI Chandigarh Chapter. “

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bwhotelier.businessworld.in/article/NRAI-launches-New-Chapter-in-Chandigarh-appoints-Sunveer-Sondhi-as-the-Head-/03-06-2020-194118/

Hospitality sector alarmed by orders from state authorities, not getting paid for services rendered

Key Take Away

The hospitality industry has raised concerns about 'high-handed' state government orders to requisition hotels as quarantine or treatment centers, and hoteliers not being compensated for the services offered through the lockdown.
On May 29, the Delhi government requisitioned five hotels through an order to convert them into extended Covid-19 hospitals, a move that took hoteliers by surprise.

The court directed the government to appoint an expert committee to examine the issue and to deal with the petitioner's representation. The matter stands adjourned to June 9.

The head of a hotel chain said his entire hotel has been taken over by state authorities in Madhya Pradesh and he had not been paid.

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economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/hotels-as-quarantine-facilities-for-coronavirus-patients-hospitality-sector-alarmed-by-state-orders/articleshow/76202953.cms

International quarantine rules ‘another blow’ to tourism and hospitality industry

Key Take Away

From June 8, anybody arriving in the UK from an international country via plane, train or ferry, will be required to isolate for two weeks, with fines of up to £1,000 given out to those breaking the rules announced by the Home Secretary  Priti Patel.

The idea of ‘air bridges’ is also being championed, which would see agreements made with countries with low R numbers to let passengers travel between them without going into quarantine.

For More Information

www.boutiquehotelier.com/international-quarantine-rules-another-blow-to-tourism-and-hospitality-industry/

Drafted As Quarantine Centres, Punjab Hotels Stare At Losses, "Stigma"

Key Take Away

Hoteliers demand that the state and central governments announce a special economic package to help them tide over this crisis

The government decided to offer their hotels as quarantine centers to Non-Resident Indian (NRI) evacuees has their left hotel owners in Punjab fighting a dual battle-of financial losses and the stigma of having operated as a coronavirus quarantine center.

For More Information

www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/drafted-as-quarantine-centres-punjab-hotels-stare-at-losses-stigma-549705www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-lockdown-punjab-hotels-turned-quarantine-centres-fight-losses-stigma-2234313

Govt withdraws order against docs’ stay in hotels

Key Take Away

In a big relief to many doctors and paramedical staff posted in Covid-19 ward at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi government withdrew its recent order canceling quarantine facilities for them in hotels.

LNJP issued the vacate order on May 20 in the wake of the direction issued by the Delhi government on May 18. The government’s order stated that “regular quarantine of healthcare workers after performing duty in Covid-19 areas is not warranted.”

For More Information

hospitality.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hotels/govt-withdraws-order-against-docs-stay-in-hotels/75883188

Vande Bharat Mission: Authorities seek hotel rooms across the country

India begins its biggest repatriation exercise to bring back 14,800 nationals stuck in 12 countries, the government is earmarking a range of hotel rooms across the spectrum, from one star properties to plush five-stars, for quarantining these travellers who will be landing in different cities
Hotels newly earmarked in Delhi include the Taj Palace Hotel, Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel and Le Meridien, according to people aware of the matter. Besides Taj Palace, the Indian Hotels Company Limited ..
(IHCL) has earmarked rooms in five of its hotels in Bengaluru for the exercise, including in Taj MG Road, Taj West End and the Vivanta hotel in Whitefield.

“We are glad to be able to offer support and care for our community,” said a Shangri-La spokesperson. “The hotel will accommodate some of these returning travellers as and when required. During this period, we will take all necessary precautions and strictly abide by the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,”.

“We have got 200 rooms. The Delhi government had approached us. As per the instructions that we have received, all the guests are supposed to pay for the rooms. The government is not footing the bill. In our case it’s Rs 4,000 for a single room and Rs 4,800 for a double room, inclusive of meals plus taxes,” said Tarun Thakral, Chief Operating Officer at Le Meridien. “I think they are giving options to arriving passengers to choose from hotel categories and rates.”
The Delhi government has reportedly allocated 1,200 rooms in Delhi and National Capital Region for the purpose.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) said it has been in constant touch with the authorities in Maharashtra and has arranged more than 1,500 rooms at discounted rates in Mumbai across categories
At IBIS New Delhi Aerocity, there are 200 rooms which have been committed for the repatriation exercise
Lemon Tree Hotels said it has been approached by different state authorities on room availability and quotation in locations like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Alleppey, Kochi, Amritsar and Lucknow.
Besides IHCL, hotel chains such as Lemon Tree, Accor and Radisson Hotels have been offering quarantining services for asymptomatic people during the lockdown.

How Each Hotel Department Can Start Preparing for A “New Normal” Re-opening

By the way, this list is based on the scientific process of baseless, wild speculation, while waiting out the quarantine.

F&B and Restaurant

• Re-draw your floor plan so that there is a minimum of 6 feet between tables.

• Research which food costs will increase when you order less volume.

• Move kitchen stations (if at all possible) to create more space.

• Create a re-opening menu with items that limit the number of cooks in the kitchen

Front Office/Reservations

·         In expectation of occupancy restrictions, add “Covid19 Out-of-Order” designation in your PMS system. These rooms will be tracked differently than regular OOO rooms.

·         Decide which rooms you will take out-of-order to ensure social distancing and limit elevator use.

·         You may have to read the temperature of all guests when they check-in so decide on whether that will happen at the front door or front desk. You may want to start writing an SOP for this.

·         Start talking to your GM about the possibility of requiring a Covid19 affidavit to be signed at the front desk where guests confirm that they have not been close to anyone with virus symptoms.

·         Start crafting a Covid disclosure for Phone Reservations to read to each guest and to post on the website (with an electronic “Agree” button).

·         If your credit card scanner does not accept contactless cards, get one that does.

Finance/Revenue Management

·         Add a new line for “Covid19 Out-of-Order” rooms to your Pace, Forecast, and Yield reports. This will allow you to better compare Year-over-Year results this year and next year. If you bundle all the OOOs together you will affect the variances.

·         If there are occupancy limitations, you may be sold-out or close-to-sold-out every night, so you have to find alternative metrics to track the strength of the market. Try putting together data from your POS or CRM to track KPIs like average guest spend for all outlets year-over-year

Marketing/Sales

• Compile “Best Guests” list from your CRM to send personalized messages. A simple email blast will be lost in everyone else’s email blast.

• Redraw your meeting space floor plans for social distancing requirements. Load the new floor plans to your website.

• Divide your Sales contact list by group size. Large groups may not be able to commit to events for a while because of logistics, but small groups are very manageable.

Youth walks over 1600 km to reach Kashi from Mumbai

Ashok Keshari works at a hotel in Nagpada area of Mumbai. With his hotel shut in view of lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, he decided to head towards his home in Varanasi on March 30.He walked over 1600 km for almost 14 days to reach Varanasi from Mumbai on Sunday night.

“I walked along the rail tracks on roads and remained hungry for most of the time. On way, some generous people gave food that helped me survive,” said Ashok, who reached Cantt station, Varanasi

He then walked to district hospital where doctors cleared him of coronavirus symptoms and he said the doctors advised him to stay in home quarantine for 14 days as a precaution.

A resident of Saptsagar Dawa Mandi area in Varanasi, he was, however, allowed entry into his house after he underwent screening at the government hospital and was found asymptomatic for coronavirus.

Red Roof Opens Doors to First Responders As Part of Room in Your Heart Program to Show Love for Essential Workers Across the Country

Room in Your Heart: Opening Doors to First Responders shows love and provides assistance and support for essential workers on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19

The country's first responders, including dedicated nurses, doctors, firefighters, police and emergency medical providers, are fighting tirelessly to combat COVID-19 while selflessly putting their own lives at risk. Many are also self-quarantining away from their homes and spending time apart from their families to protect their loved ones.  Through May 31, Red Roof is donating a limited number of available rooms to these brave heroes, giving them a place to sleep and stay in between shifts at participating properties across the country.

Rooms can only be booked directly at participating hotels. Each guest must provide valid medical, firefighter, or police identification.*  In addition, many Red Roof locations are exterior corridor properties where separate hotel room doors open to the outside of the building, instead of an interior hallway. After check-in, guests drive to their room instead of walking through the building, reducing contact with interior touchpoints.

Rooms have free WiFi and a communication package that includes free local and long-distance calls, fax, flat-screen TVs and a workstation, as well as complimentary, in-room coffee in most rooms. One well-behaved domestic pet - cat or dog - is always welcome to stay at no charge.

Chefs Offer Online Cooking Demos During Coronavirus Pandemic

As people stay home to #flattenthecurve and prevent the spread of coronavirus, several chefs and industry professionals have found a way to engage with social-distancing viewers via virtual classes.

Some, like Massimo Bottura and Antoni Porowski, have been posting videos with guided cooking demonstrations and helpful tips for viewers looking to make the most of pantry ingredients. Some of the demos will cost you, but for a good cause—Sean Brock is offering paid virtual classes so he can continue to support his staff as restaurants are forced to close.

The Queer Eye star and cookbook author has started a mini-series of lessons called “Quar Eye: Cooking Lessons in Quarantine” on his Instagram page. The idea is based on “preparing good food that’s good for us, and that makes us feel good,” using ingredients that you likely already have. In the first episode, Porowski talks about how he wanted to make huevos rancheros, but couldn't get all of the ingredients—so he pivoted and made an omelet served with black bean salsa. Other meals demo’d so far have been "zoodles" with meat sauce and spinach, salmon and squash, chicken strips, and more.

Kwame Onwuachi

The Food & Wine Best New Chef is starting a series of live demos on Instagram called "Eat Clean While Quarantined." He'll post a recipe—the first is a chorizo and white bean stew with charred shrimp—with the ingredients listed, and then, viewers can follow along on Instagram live.

Lena Sareini

As people stay home to #flattenthecurve and prevent the spread of coronavirus, several chefs and industry professionals have found a way to engage with social-distancing viewers via virtual classes.

Some, like Massimo Bottura and Antoni Porowski, have been posting videos with guided cooking demonstrations and helpful tips for viewers looking to make the most of pantry ingredients. Some of the demos will cost you, but for a good cause—Sean Brock is offering paid virtual classes so he can continue to support his staff as restaurants are forced to close.

If you're spending more time than usual in the kitchen, check out these short cooking demos and get cooking.

Antoni Porowski

The Queer Eye star and cookbook author has started a mini-series of lessons called “Quar Eye: Cooking Lessons in Quarantine” on his Instagram page. The idea is based on “preparing good food that’s good for us, and that makes us feel good,” using ingredients that you likely already have. In the first episode, Porowski talks about how he wanted to make huevos rancheros, but couldn't get all of the ingredients—so he pivoted and made an omelet served with black bean salsa. Other meals demo’d so far have been "zoodles" with meat sauce and spinach, salmon and squash, chicken strips, and more.

Giada De Laurentiis, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Valerie Bertinelli

Giada De Laurentiis, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Valerie Bertinelli hosted a "progressive dinner party" on Instagram, where they each filmed a demo cooking a different dish. De Laurentiis made aglio e olio pasta with bacon, Guarnaschelli made chicken thighs with peppered carrots and onions, and Bertinelli made a warm kale caesar.

Jewish Food Society

Last week, the Jewish Food Society announced “Tradish,” a series of pantry-forward cooking demos, step-by-step videos, new recipes, and more in the hopes of providing comfort during unsettling times. So far, the Society’s culinary director, Arielle Nir Mamiye, has signed on to demo her family’s recipe for Moroccan harira soup, and program director Amanda Dell highlighted paprika potatoes. Baker and pastry chef Zoe Kanan also walked viewers through her go-to challah recipe. You can find the stories saved on the Jewish Food Society’s profile. The Society encourages viewers to reach out to older relatives and ask them what they ate growing up.

“Our goal is that Jewish Food Society can be a place where our community can sparkle and be a beacon of hope and understanding. We look forward to staying connected and hearing all about your #Tradish,” the post says.

Kwame Onwuachi

The Food & Wine Best New Chef is starting a series of live demos on Instagram called "Eat Clean While Quarantined." He'll post a recipe—the first is a chorizo and white bean stew with charred shrimp—with the ingredients listed, and then, viewers can follow along on Instagram live.

Lena Sareini

Lena Sareini, pastry chef at Selden Standard in Detroit, has shared a tutorial for easy homemade sourdough on YouTube, as well as guide for making cultured butter.In both, she's joined by her brother, Ali.

For more information please visit below mention link:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B91vbU8l68Z/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B90Oo5lHxYv/?utm_source=ig_embed

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-GFvZXHSTM/?utm_source=ig_embed