Coronavirus: Trump Organization shuts down Mar-a-Lago, golf courses and fires staff after federal mandates
President Donald Trump's company has reportedly closed Mar-a-Lago, and fired its staff. Reports state that the firm has also shut down the bars at its luxury hotel in Washington D.C. amidst the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
A spokesperson for the Trump Organization released a statement, saying: "Various facilities are temporarily closed given local, state and federal mandates. We anxiously await the day when this pandemic is over and our world-class facilities can reopen," the Daily Mail reported. The company, however, did not answer to queries about whether it would apply for a financial aid bailout under legislation being passed by Congress and signed by President Trump.
The White House has pushed for a $1 trillion package, including $200 billion for the airlines and other key industries affected by the coronavirus directly, like the hospitality industry. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a close friend of Trump, on Friday, issued an executive order, directing all restaurants and gyms in the region to close. Restaurants, however, are permitted to do take-outs. Similar measures have been taken by lawmakers across the country in an attempt to stem the spread of the deadly disease.
DeSantis' orders also affected Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Winter White House, in Palm Beach, which became Ground Zero for the Trump administration and the virus after a Brazilian official who attended a dinner event there on March 8 tested positive for coronavirus. Trump was also present at the dinner along with multiple members of the administration and the first family. After the president came in close contact with at least two of the Brazilian officials who tested positive for the virus, Trump underwent a coronavirus test and his results came negative.
The club was shut earlier this week for deep cleaning, while other guests from the March 8 event had to undergo the coronavirus test. Reports state that at least three cases of the virus have been linked to the attendees at the event. Trump generally spends his weekends at Mar-al-Lago at this time of the year, where he enjoys dinner with his fellow club members.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, earlier this week, also ordered the closing of all restaurants, bars, and clubs in the area to help contain the outbreak. The directive also resulted in the closing of the restaurant and bar at the Trump International Hotel Washington D.C. The hotel, which is just blocks away from the White House, is a popular watering hole for Republicans.
The president's son Eric Trump, who took over heading the company after his father's election, in a statement to the New York Times, said: "As an organization, we are following federal, state and local direction and guidance very carefully."
Reports state that the Trump Organization significantly cut its staff, at least 40, from its New York hotel and nearly 95 percent from its Washington location. The company also closed golf courses in Los Angeles and Miami area.
The general manager of Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York, Matthew Vandegrift, in a letter to owners of units in the establishment warned of a "significant shortfall in revenues."
"While we recognize that hope is not a strategy, I can assure you we are thoroughly analyzing expenses. Strategies have been deployed to mitigate the expected financial losses as a result of COVID-19," Vandegrift wrote in the letter.