Beaches Turks and Caicos says it will reopen on Wednesday, June 13th, instead of Saturday June 9th 2012 to ensure that the property is fully sanitised, following information released from the Ministry of Health announcing that ten cases of Norovirus had been confirmed in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
A press release from the resort said that based on information received from both international experts and local health authorities, the resort felt that it was in the best interests of its guests, team members and residents of Turks and Caicos Islands to complete an extensive sterilization program while the resort was completely unoccupied.
In the week commencing Monday, May 21st, only 1.35 % of the resort’s guest and staff (39 persons) complained of experiencing gastrointestinal illness. The following week, commencing Monday, May 28th, only 3.15 % of the resort’s guest and staff (94 persons) complained of experiencing gastrointestinal illness.
According to Beaches, the comprehensive disinfection includes a complete sanitization sterilization of all public areas, complete stripping and sterilizing of all accommodations, sterilizing of all cushions, mattresses and couches, the removal and isolated sterilization of all linen, curtain and drapes as well as the quarantining of all rooms to ensure that no traces of the virus remain.
Adam Stewart CEO of Sandals Resorts International said in a statement released by the resort that Beaches Turks & Caicos consistently follows a protocol of best practices to provide a resort setting and experience that meets the world’s highest standards of health and safety.
“The health and safety standards under which we operate our resorts are considered to be among the highest in the world. Beaches Resort is like many of the other resorts on the island, we are working with local authorities and international experts to make sure that we continue to function at this level.”
“We are committed to ensuring that Beaches delivers the best possible vacation experience and visitors leave with a wonderful impression of the Turks and Caicos Islands. As a result, we have compensated and rebooked all guests. Beaches Resorts we understands the disappointment and sincerely regrets the inconvenience that this will cause to guests and we are ,working hard to assure visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands that they can do so with peace of mind and excitement. This is essential to ensuring the long term reputation of the country.” said Stewart who is the son of hotel owner Gordon “Butch” Stewart.
As a result, the resort is offering the following options to its guests:
• Guests have the option of travelling to another Beaches Resort over their originally scheduled dates pending space availability, and will receive resort accommodations for the same number of days of travel of the original reservation. Beaches will also cover any airline change fees up to $150 per person, and any increase in fare up to $300 per person.
• Guests that want to reschedule their resort stay for a later date at Beaches Turks & Caicos will receive a replacement land vacation for travel up to one year from their original dates (excluding holiday blackout dates). Beaches will also cover any airline change fees up to $150 per person, and any increase in fare up to $300 per person.
• Guests who wish to cancel may do so, and will receive a refund of the cost of the land portion of their vacation.
“At the first report of illness, the resort we took additional precautions to educate guests and staff on every day steps they could take to prevent the spread of the easily transmitted Norovirus, which is reported almost as frequently as the common cold.” Stewart added.
Despite the closure, to date, all of the resort’s staff remain fully employed and have been receiving their full base salary.
Beaches Turks and Caicos is the largest resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands, currently boasting 633 rooms and suites that are spread among the Caribbean Village, the French Village and the Italian Village. It can accommodate up to 2500 guests and it has 16 restaurants and 12 bars and boasts one of the largest waterparks in the Caribbean. It is also the largest private sector employer in the country, with a staff of around 1250.
By Hayden Boyce, The Turks & Caicos Sun
