In addition to our normal news coverage, What Now Atlanta is tracking ways Atlanta’s businesses are adapting to the novel coronavirus and the challenges it brings to brick-and-mortars.
Downtown’s iconic Atlanta Marriott Marquis over the weekend started lighting up its empty rooms in the shape of a heart.
The local hotel is the latest to join Marittot properties around the world creating hearts with unsold rooms in a show of appreciation for workers on the frontline battling the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a company spokesperson.
Midtowner Jane Kalmbach captured the moment in the above photo during the neighborhood’s nightly cheering session for the City’s first responders.
Occupancy for the company’s hotels across the board are under 25 percent as compared to 70 percent this time last year, Marriott said in a statement earlier this month.
“As travel restrictions and social distancing efforts around the world become more widespread, we are experiencing significant drops in demand at properties globally with an uncertain duration.”
That decline in occupancy is likely to increase as Americans “stay at home” through at least April 30 as part of updated national social distancing guidelines announced by President Donald Trump on Sunday.
The updated guidelines, expected to be finalized Tuesday, advises older Americans to stay at home and urges citizens to avoid groups of more than 10.
The City of Atlanta has a similar order in effect until April 7.
[Editor’s note: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving as is its effect on Atlanta, and the City’s businesses and its residents. Click here for What Now Atlanta’s ongoing coverage of the crisis. For guidance and updates on the pandemic, please visit the C.D.C. website.]
