Luton hotel remains open during coronavirus lockdown for NHS and emergency workers

The Luton Travelodge, on Dunstable Rd, has remained operational for NHS workers and emergency workers and they have put a number of safety measures in place.

The hotel has floor markings highlighting the correct distance where customers need to stand in reception, signage advising customers and staff on the importance of washing your hands and social distancing, they are monitoring how many customer can check in at any given time and they have perspex screens and hand sanitisers at the reception desk.

Hotel mananger Cornelia Rotaru has worked for Travelodge for 13 years and joined the Luton team last year, she says she is proud to serve the town's community during the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: "I am stringent that we are all following public health and government instructions.

"We have a lot of NHS workers staying with us at the moment as our hotel is very close to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital.

"The NHS workers are arriving at different times throughout the day and night so we have to ensure that we have a constant supply of clean rooms and comfy beds available for them.

"I think it is also worth noting, although the Covid-19 breakdown is one of the hardest experiences that we have had to go through as a company and team, we are also learning a lot and gaining insight and experience in a crisis that no one had foreseen.

"As our Travelodge is the closest hotel to Luton and Dunstable University Hospital we do have a lot of NHS workers staying with us.

"They are checking in throughout the day and night and our mission is to ensure that they have a comfortable stay and a get a good sleep and leave our hotel feeling revitalised.

"In addition we also have other emergency workers staying with us too.

"I have housekeeping team members working at night now to ensure that we have a constant supply of clean rooms available for our customers.

The company has ensured that all staff have gloves and hand sanitisers to use whilst working and staff are constantly sanitising all areas within the hotel, office and all equipment.

The 39-year-old added: "At Travelodge, we love a challenge but operating in a pandemic is a mammoth task and we have embraced it by working as one team with dedication and passion to succeed and deliver our best service.

"We love going the extra mile and putting a smile on our customers faces.

"The biggest challenge is keep everyone's spirits up. You have to come to work with an extra burst of energy to ensure team morale is high.

"We are operating in unprecedented and uncertain times. This is very tough!

"We have to keep positive, be safe and focus on moving ahead – It’s the only way to beat this horrible virus and keep a sense of normality.

"I feel extremely proud to be part of Travelodge’s Front Line team and to support the Luton community – especially the NHS and other critical group workers.

"It is such a privilege to play a small part in our country’s history. At Travelodge we are just one big massive family that spreads across all corners of the UK and the united support you get is so overwhelming.

"The company is stringent on health and safety and we have the correct polices in place to ensure that everyone is safe to work which gives you the confidence to come into work.

"We love going the extra mile and putting a smile on our customers faces."