By Jamie Lynn Connors
While most are avoiding those connected to the coronavirus at all costs, the Best Western Plus Morristown Inn has welcomed them.
For the last month, the hotel has offered rooms to nursing staff from Morristown Medical Center.
Owners of the Inn reached out to the Atlantic Health System last month and offered lodgings to ease the nurses’ commutes and limit the spread of the virus.
“We were fortunate,” said Susan Yates, director of sales and marketing and co-owner of the South Street establishment. “They took all of our rooms.”
The Best Western housed 60 medical professionals, concluding on Wednesday.
With limited travel during the pandemic, the Inn struggled with business and had to face layoffs.
“We were looking for alternate sources of opportunity,” Yates said. “There was really no business to be had [since] nobody’s really traveling.”
The Inn had to alter its cleaning and dining options to limit contact with its medical guests.
Cleaning supplies and a vacuum cleaner were provided in each room and garbage cans were parked outside doors. Dining services were strictly grab-and-go.
The Morristown Inn is willing to continue accommodating medical professionals, since things are likely to be slow for awhile.
“We wanted to do something to be helpful to the hospital during this difficult time,” Yates said. “It’s definitely not business as usual.”
When they say “offered”, does that mean on a complimentary basis? Even “at cost” would be fair.
How thoughtful and keen-minded for the Best Western Motel. Thoughtful, since many medical professionals working really hard shifts exposed to the virus were wary of bringing any sickness into their homes to infect their families. Keen-minded, since they quickly arranged their “Innkeeping” model to be enabled to give jobs to their staff. Great Job!