The arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine might be raising hopes for a return to normalcy for Central Texas businesses – but it s also creating confusion and uncertainty for employers and employees alike as they deal with the uneven rollout and try to navigate a sea of conflicting state and local guidelines.
Companies large and small – across a range of industries – are grappling with how to handle the vaccine s distribution for their workforces.
Experts say in many cases employers can require workers to receive the vaccine, but there are exceptions, such as for medical or religious reasons, or a disability.
In the case of a disability, the employer would have to try to make an accommodation, such as continued work from home or continued mask wearing, said Tony Stergio, a Houston-based attorney specializing in employment law.
Downtown Houston s Euro-inspired luxury hotel suddenly shutters
Downtown Houston s Euro-inspired luxury hotel suddenly shutters The Hotel Alessandra has closed.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Alessandra
UPDATE: Real estate developer Midway provided CultureMap with the following statement, via Robert Williamson, of its Investment Management team. “With the unprecedented challenges faced by the hospitality industry in the COVID-19 era, ownership and its capital partners have decided to temporarily close Hotel Alessandra, along with its dining concepts, Lucienne and Bardot Bar. We view this as a unique opportunity to reevaluate operations, explore ways to enhance our offerings, maximize value and reopen with minimal impact while the industry slowly recovers. Providing an unrivaled hotel and dining experience remains our top priority and we look forward to serving our guests in the near future.”
Partial tourism recovery expected in 2021
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A lone vehicle zips down Houston Street near the Grand Hyatt in May. Canceled conventions and hotel bookings are straining the hospitality industry, with experts predicting the recovery won’t begin till late this year.Kin Man Hui /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
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Aerial view of downtown, the Tower of the Americas, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and Grand Hyatt San Antonio Friday May 20, 2016.Edward A. Ornelas, Staff / San Antonio Express-NewsShow MoreShow Less
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SeaWorld San Antonio, ablaze with lights during the holidays, plans to remain open on weekends in January and February.Tom Reel /Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
From visits with Santa to yoga classes and even tango performances, local hotels are hoping innovation will bring a boost to the industry. With out-of-state vacations discouraged, typical tourists cancelled trips amid the pandemic. But some hotels are pivoting to attract people within driving distance to enjoy events, amenities and workspace options.
In this episode of Commerce Street, a business podcast from KENS 5, we talk to a hotel industry research group and consultancy firm and one of the many hotels thinking outside the box and finding ways to engage with customers safely.
Listen to the full conversation below or download it from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.
Houston hotels enter holiday season under crushing weight of pandemic, debt
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A Hilton Americas-Houston staff member takes care of a guest from behind a protective glass on the check-in counter of the hotel, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Houston.Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
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Miraj Patel, president of Wayside Investment Group, poses for a photo at the Best Western he s about to open near Bush airport Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, in Humble.Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
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Hilton Americas-Houston guests have coffee on the hotel lobby, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, in Houston.Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less