The largest hotel company in the world has begun furloughing employees as the business adapts to the coronavirus pandemic.
The move by Marriott International, which is suffering under government restrictions on travel and overall concern about the coronavirus, and is expected to affect tens of thousands of employees, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Marriott employs 175,000 people, including 130,000 in the United States, and has nearly 1.4 million rooms available for booking worldwide.
The demand for hotel rooms has hit a historic low, according to hotel owners and executives. Hotels across the U.S. are operating with 80% or more of their rooms vacant. Many hotels are expected to close in the coming days and weeks as owners and executives attempt to ride out the coronavirus outbreak.
In response to the growing health crisis, President Trump unveiled new guidance Monday on avoiding restaurants, bars, and gatherings of more than 10 people for the next 15 days.
State and local governments have started instituting strict emergency regulations to slow the spread of the disease. Private and public schools and universities across the country have sent students home or recommended that they do not come back to campus from spring break. Lessons have been transferred to online only.
