Outbreak at Sandals – Yes, you can get COVID-19 at a resort
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Editor’s note: This post has been updated after TPG got a statement from Sandals Resorts International.
A growing outbreak of COVID-19 at Sandals Grenada has the government there scrambling to find out what happened and guests wondering what to do next.
The Ministry of Health confirmed a cluster of at least 26 cases including guests of the all-inclusive resort, employees and some of their contacts. That brings the country’s COVID-19 caseload to 71, and that number is expected to rise.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more travel news
I reached out to the resort, and they told me they wouldn’t answer questions, and were not talking to media. Later, however, we received a statement from Sandals Resorts International who told TPG:
“Grenada’s situation is an isolated one, the asymptomatic individuals were quickly identified, and we are collaborating with public health authorities to develop key learnings further. Out of an abundance of caution, the government has asked that we pause the acceptance of new arrivals for the next several days; however, the resort is currently open and fully operational for guests to enjoy.”
The news was first reported by The New Today newspaper in Grenada.
Grenada’s health minister Nickolas Steele reportedly ordered the evacuation of the resort on Sunday, but later backed away from that order as the resort is apparently being considered a “place of screening and assessment.”
More: A country-by-country guide to reopenings
Steele said they were investigating, “why, when and how the virus was able to spread at the hotel.”
Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell is scheduled to address the nation on Monday night.
According to published reports, guests at the luxury resort are not required to undergo regular testing while on the property, but all arrivals in the country do need to show they have proof of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival on the island.
We do not know exactly how the virus is being spread, but some reports suggest staff and guests have frequent interactions at the property. Like many Caribbean resorts, Sandals Grenada has multiple outdoor common spaces where guests congregate. Being outdoors much of the day, however, may not be enough by itself to protect guests from the virus.
Sandals says on its website that they are screening guests on arrival with temperature checks, but TPG couldn’t find mention of a mask requirement for guests. Staff are required to wear masks.
At a news conference on Sunday Dec. 13, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shawn Charles said that hundreds of additional tests are pending and the case loads are expected to climb, “It is very likely that this number will increase significantly.”
Still, the Minster of Health said in a statement the country would not go back into lockdown, “We have prepared for this eventually. We cannot afford to close our borders.”
Related: Grenada reopening
The resort remains open for future bookings.
Related: The Caribbean is reopening; recovery depends on you
Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Plus earn up to $50 in statement credits towards grocery store purchases.
- 2X points on dining at restaurants including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out and travel & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 2x total points on up to $1,000 in grocery store purchases per month from November 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021. Includes eligible pick-up and delivery services.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.