There are several legal issues hoteliers must be mindful of as they ramp up operations.

As customers return, hotel owners and operators will need to rebuild their workforces, presumably by recalling furloughed employees—a process that must be handled with care.

Likewise, hotel employers are obligated to do what they can to ensure the health and safety of their workers, requiring meaningful workplace policies and protocols. In addition to these personnel matters, hoteliers will likely face an onslaught of contractual problems linked to the coronavirus, particularly ones involving large booking and event cancellations.

Surely, the possibility of legal exposure is very real as the pandemic comes under a modicum of control and hotel doors are reopened to employees and guests. Here, we answer questions that hoteliers may have about how best to minimize the specter of liability.