Oyo discounts rooms for health staff while other Asia hotels close

BANGKOK -- As the coronavirus pandemic deals a devastating blow to hospitality companies in Asia, Indian startup Oyo Hotels & Homes is providing rooms to those fighting the disease at a deep discount while many of its rivals shut their doors.

Oyo hopes to turn the unprecedented crisis into a branding opportunity. The budget chain backed by SoftBank Group offered free or discounted accommodations to local governments for medical professionals and quarantined patients.