A BELFAST hotelier who offered free accommodation to key health workers has revealed all rooms have now been snapped up.
Rajesh Rana, who heads the Andras Hotels group, made his Cordia serviced apartments on the Lisburn Road available to anyone working in the health service who felt that they needed to be away from home due to coronavirus.
The apartments are located close to the City and Royal Hospitals, and a short journey from the Mater Hospital.
The hotelier, who is also president of Belfast Chamber, said his company is now keeping a waiting list.
“We felt it was the right thing to do to offer up apartments for NHS key workers with no charge,” said Mr Rana.
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“We received a lot of requests from NHS staff, which does open one’s eyes to the pressures they are under. The allocation is now full unfortunately but we are keeping names on a waiting list if apartments become available in the next few weeks.”
The Macklin Group in Belfast, which owns care homes and the Malone Lodge Hotel, has made a similar offer to its care staff.
The group’s hotel and apartments are being used for staff who wish to self-isolate whilst working in their roles within the group. Macklin’s homes include: Our Lady’s, Belfast; Arlington, Belfast; Parkmanor Oaks, Dunmurry; Milesian Manor, Magherafelt, Leabank, Ballycastle; and Ratheane in Coleraine.
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