Rental car giant offers free vehicles to NYC health care workers

ESTERO —Hertz, the Southwest Florida car rental giant, is offering free vehicle rentals to New York City health care workers so they can continue providing critical care to the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hertz officials, in a statement, say the free rentals will be available immediately, through April 30, at 19 New York City-area Hertz locations.

“With New York City having the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, health care workers are dealing with extremely challenging circumstances," says Kathryn Marinello, Hertz President and CEO, in the statement. "It's vital that health care workers have safe and reliable transportation during this time, and we are eager to help. The dramatic decrease in travel means we have more vehicles to serve the most critical needs of the community. We're starting in New York City with health care workers and we'll continue to see how we can help during this crisis. It gives all of us at Hertz a sense of purpose and pride to lend our support as much as we can during this very difficult time."

Hertz is working with Mount Sinai Health System to make vehicles available to its employees throughout New York City. It’s also supplying the Health System with free cargo van rentals to transport ventilators and other medical supplies to support the crisis, the release states.

"Mount Sinai Health System and our community of physicians, nurses, trainees, students and other health care professionals are working tirelessly to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and save lives," says Mount Sinai Health System President and CEO Dr. Kenneth Davis. "We thank Hertz and the growing number of community and business organizations who have pledged their support during this critical time."

Hertz, in another coronavirus pandemic move, also recently lowered the age required to rent a vehicle from 20 to 18 years old, to help displaced college students and other young people.