ESTERO, Fla. -

Hertz is looking to make sure medical personnel in one of the U.S. locations hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic have reliable transportation.

This week, Hertz started to provide free vehicle rentals to New York City healthcare workers via a program set to run through April 30. The company said healthcare workers can reserve a vehicle at 19 New York City-area Hertz locations so they can continue providing critical care to the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“With New York City having the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, healthcare workers are dealing with extremely challenging circumstances,” Hertz president and chief executive officer Kathryn Marinello said in a news release. “It’s vital that healthcare 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,” Marinello continued. “We’re starting in New York City with healthcare 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.”

To immediately have an impact, Hertz said it is working with Mount Sinai Health System to make vehicles available to its employees throughout New York City and is also supplying the Health System with free cargo van rentals to transport ventilators and other medical supplies to support the crisis.

“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,” said Kenneth Davis, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System.

“We thank Hertz and the growing number of community and business organizations who have pledged their support during this critical time,” Davis added.

The news release mentioned how Lindsay Davis, who is a certified child life specialist in the NICU at Mount Sinai Hospital, is also thankful for the support. She picked up a free rental vehicle from Hertz this week after growing more concerned about getting to and from work.

“A large part of my job is providing emotional support to families in the NICU, so it’s important at a time like this for me to be able to get to work,” Davis shared. “I’m grateful that Hertz is helping me do so safely.”

New York City healthcare workers who would like to reserve a Hertz vehicle from through April 30 should visit Hertz.com for more information.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Hertz said it will try to be of service in the community. Hertz is providing vehicles to its partner Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster response organization that is currently serving communities across the country by providing assistance such as delivery services for food-insecure populations, and coordination and logistics support for those in temporary quarantine through its #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors initiative.

In New York City and nearby New Rochelle, N.Y — both hot zones for the pandemic — Hertz is helping power Team Rubicon’s veteran-led support by donating vehicles to serve at-risk populations in need of essential healthcare.

Additionally, Hertz is supporting Team Rubicon’s efforts with Feeding Westchester by giving Team Rubicon volunteers (known as Greyshirts), vehicles to transport food supplies from food banks in New Rochelle to mobile pantries to help ensure those in need receive proper nourishment.

“Those on the frontline of this crisis — healthcare workers, government agencies and relief organizations — need everyone’s support more than ever,” Marinello said. “Hertz is proud to show our appreciation for the important work they’re doing by providing a valued resource during this difficult time.”