Outbreak at Sandals - Yes, you can get COVID-19 at a resort
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.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X miles | Earn 2X miles per $1 on every purchase, everywhere |
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Pros
- Simple earning structure
- Bonus categories
- Annual credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Flexible redemption options, including transfer partners
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- Fewer bonus categories than some competitors
- Lacks premium perks
- Limited-time offer: Earn up to 150,000 bonus miles—75,000 miles once you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months, and an additional 75,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won't expire for the life of the account
- Receive up to $220 in credits: Receive an annual $50 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel, up to an annual $50 statement credit for purchases at qualifying advertising or software merchants, plus up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® every four years. Terms and conditions apply
- Unlimited 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel
- Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
- $95 annual fee
- Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
- Top rated mobile app