I have watched the unfolding saga between the Minister, his Chief Medical Officer and Sandals Grenada — and if there ever was a case of How NOT To Handle A Crisis in these COVID times, the Minister is the perfect example. A cluster of 26 cases has been linked to Sandals Grenada. Commentary: Sandals, Grenada & COVID-19: What NOT to do in a crisis! The county isn't even open and the resort won't open until October, 2 months. Company officials have challenged the reports, the first to connect any of the all-inclusive resort giant’s properties, which have resumed operations in nine countries since the pandemic, with a coronavirus outbreak. In an address to the nation the Prime Minister said there would be no lockdowns. Jillian Dara is a freelance travel writer and fact checker. The Sandals worker and her family of 13, including children, who tested positive for COVID-19 clearly did not appear to be at the forefront of the Prime Minister’s mind. ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – The government of Grenada and ministry of health COVID-19 update on Sunday, December 13, was beyond the ordinary for many, informed the public that “a cluster of 26 positive COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed, originating from the Sandals Resort.” How can Sandals justify during a pandemic not returning my money? My parents had a butler suite. But it gets even better – or worse…. PointsandTravel Luxury Hotels from Around the World! 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. Self-quarantine helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 which can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without showing symptoms. In a press conference on Sunday, officials in the Caribbean nation of Grenada confirmed a coronavirus outbreak at the all-inclusive Sandals Grenada resort, linking 26 cases to the property. Sandals, Grenada & COVID-19: What NOT to do in a crisis! 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. Minister Steele had also repeated the allegation during a media briefing on December 31st and in another statement after the resort demanded concrete evidence to support his claim. In an article on identifying the source of an infection by Public Health England and published on the GOV.UK site on December 18th, it stated clearly: ‘Common exposures identify links between cases and possible outbreaks, but they do not provide definitive information about how transmission occurred.” The article added further: “What might appear like a workplace outbreak from the common exposure data could, for example, turn out to be people who each got infected because they share a home or travel together to work.”. 1 of 2. It is therefore sad to see such a powerful legacy being jeopardized by what seems to have been a panic response by the Health Minister and the CMO. Level Contributor . The Sandals Grenada is closed until Feb. 3 after several cases traced back to the resort played a role in triggering a partial lockdown of the island in mid-December. Those affected include 13 people from the same household as a staff member, according to prime minister Keith Mitchell, quoted in The Washington Post. Gordon “Butch” Stewart's Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has offered the Government a 52-room hotel and has helped to finance 40 ventilators at a cost of $20 million to be used to treat COVID-19 patients.. Sandals has also decided against laying off its permanent workers, opting to pay 40 per cent of their basic salary fortnightly and retain benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation leave despite … Now, England has had more experience than most in dealing with COVID, particularly this new strain, so they should have a good idea what they are talking about. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell says the adjustments come after confirmation that a cluster of COVID-19 cases has been found at the Sandals All Inclusive Resort. Share on Facebook . The COVID-19 pandemic in Grenada is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached Grenada on March 22, 2020. Grenada stunned by 26-COVID-19 cases 'originating from Sandals Resort', unyielding to recovery. Quarantine is used to keep a person who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Are COVID-19 tests required to travel to Grenada? It's unclear how the outbreak occurred and the Ministry of Health is actively investigating the situation to determine its cause, be it a flaw in the resort's protocols or a breach of them. CORONAVIRUS ANNOUNCEMENT For nearly 40 years, Sandals and Beaches Resorts have been continuously preparing and strengthening protocols to deal with any kind of situation, from natural events to health emergencies. Bei Tripadvisor auf Platz 1 von 1 Hotel in Pink Gin Beach mit 4,5/5 von Reisenden bewertet. Barbados Today reports one of the tourists is being investigated for allegedly falsifying Covid-19 documentation. For a resort chain that promises “a no-worries vacation,” Sandals Resorts seems to be plagued with them. But despite the outbreak, Grenada, which has seen zero deaths from the virus, will not re-enter a total lockdown. Copy and paste: Cluster of 26 COVID-19 cases at Sandals Grenada. This was achieved by the introduction of the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, one of the … I think Mr Meranski makes some very thoughtful and considered comments on Grenada’s management of the Corona virus. Re: Sandals . Grenada is famous for its scuba diving sites that are close to shore. Sandals has closed its Grenada resort to new guests after 26 people tested positive for Covid-19 at the all-inclusive hotel. Anyone arriving to Grenada over the age of 5, will be required to present a negative PCR test, no older than 3 days. Sign … Credit: Sandals. Hotels. The Sandals in Granada had a major outbreak, and is closed until Feb 3. By Shannon McMahon. Sudbury, Canada. We have requested for a full refund as numbers of COVID cases are at their highest, yet Sandals refuses. In the meantime, the hotel has closed, over 600 people are no longer at work, and Grenada is making international headlines for all the wrong reasons. Known as the "Spice Isle," Grenada is a mesmerizing island with some of the most incredible natural wonders in the Caribbean from stunning beaches and waterfalls to … Sandals cannot guarantee that guests will be permitted to visit a different resort during their stay. Today, December 17, a further nine cases were diagnosed, bringing the total of active cases to 45. New measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 have been implemented in Grenada. We hope the below step-by-step guide, including links to official sources of information, helps you plan, book and safely enjoy your escape to paradise here in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. But all is not lost and the situation can still be hopefully fixed. Further, seven guests at Sandals Grenada who tested positive, have since left the island. So, how could the minister and the CMO have arrived at that conclusion, if, according to his own Prime Minister, breaches were taking place at other institutions? Grenada … In Grenada and Saint Lucia, health officials have tied COVID-19 outbreaks to Sandals properties. I have watched the unfolding saga between the Minister, his Chief Medical Officer and Sandals Grenada — and if there ever was a case of How NOT To Handle A Crisis in these COVID times, the Minister is the perfect example. In an interview on MTV News on January 4th Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, while discussing ‘the Sandals situation’, said there were other quarantine facilities on the island that hosted holiday events, in violation of protocols. (EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was submitted before the death of Sandals Resorts International Founder and Chairman Hon. A COVID-19 outbreak, pissed-off customers, and a public fight with local government. Dec 14, 2020, 12:17 PM. That’s an astounding revelation by none other than the Prime Minister, at a time when Minister Steele had stated, leaving no doubt, that Sandals WAS the source. As of last night the measures are in effect. We will have to dispute through our credit card and bank. Newsletter. State of Grenada Yacht Entry Protocol - 04 Dec 2020. Sandals And Beaches Resorts Elevates Its "Travel With Confidence" Program By Offering Complimentary COVID-19 Testing To All Guests On-Resort Prior To Departure | Nachricht | finanzen.net COVID-19 updates. More than 1,000 individuals including minors are part of contact tracing for Sandals cluster; 4 days after disclosing that 9 guests at the Sandals Resort in Grenada had positive PCR Covid-19 test results, 7 of them have left the island without the permission, knowledge or medical clearance from Government’s health authorities. December 18, 2020. Those affected include 13 people from the same household as a staff member, according to prime minister Keith Mitchell, quoted in The Washington Post. Edited: 2:06 pm, December 14, 2020. Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based travel writer with over six years of experience. I have watched the unfolding saga between the … For a resort chain that promises “a no-worries vacation,” Sandals Resorts seems to be plagued with them. This new cluster accounts for nearly one-third of all cases on the island since March (71 in total, including the Sandals cluster). Sandals has closed its Grenada resort to new guests after 26 people tested positive for Covid-19 at the all-inclusive hotel. "It will get worse before it gets better,” Dr. Shawn Charles, acting chief medical officer, said during the conference, noting that Grenada had prepared for such a scenario. So, at this stage the facts are that: One, the investigation and contact tracing had not yet started when the Minister and CMO accused Sandals of being the source; and Two, the Prime Minister himself has revealed that there were issues with other quarantine facilities. This week, officials in Grenada are tracing the contacts of 26 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 that stem from a single all-inclusive resort, the Sandals Grenada. Caribbean & Central America . 12/14/2020 7:11:01 PM. That, at least, is a problem Prime Minister Mitchell can himself correct — and one which, for the sake of Grenada’s future, he will hopefully correct swiftly. Your email address will not be published. They will keep your money. TRAVEL THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA! Sandals Grenada is an exotic, unspoiled hideaway that offers a romantic, authentic Caribbean experience while providing the Luxury Included amenities and exceptional service that have come to be associated with the Sandals Resorts experience. By Caribbean News Global . Our resorts have always been scrupulously cleaned and sanitized every hour of every day. North America. This new cluster accounts for nearly one-third of all cases on the island since March (71 in total, including the Sandals … 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. In an address to the nation late Monday, Prime Minister Dr Keith … But the disclosure was met with pushback from the gentleman’s family, questioning the circumstances of his death, resulting in Minister Steele and the CMO cancelling a scheduled press briefing stating that ‘the Ministry is still in the process of ascertaining all the facts surrounding the island’s first COVID-19 related death’ due to the ‘absence of all the necessary information at this time.”, Curiously, I have learned that Sandals Grenada was not afforded the same courtesy, so one can therefore wonder why Minister Steele and the CMO, at the very onset, even before contact-tracing had begun, went on official public record alleging that ‘Sandals Grenada’ was the source of the outbreak — at a time when they would have also been ‘in the process of ascertaining all the facts.’, This whole episode carries an important lesson for all Ministers of Health and all CMOs throughout the Caribbean, of what NOT to do in such situations. Sandals Resorts International has announced it is offering complimentary COVID-19 testing beginning January 26 th to all registered guests across its Sandals and Beaches Resorts on-resort prior to their departure. REWIND: This past summer, I took a family vacation to Grenada to celebrate my parents and their 33rd Wedding Anniversary. Reply. The COVID-19 pandemic in Grenada is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached Grenada on March 22, 2020. We typically host 40 divers a day, and scuba diving is included in the Sandals all-inclusive package. Massy United Insurance staff…giving despite the odds, Bay Gardens Resorts invites Locals to Get Away, Saint Lucia Records forty one new cases of COVID-19 and two recoveries. ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – The Health Ministry here confirmed that a frontline healthcare provider became its first medical professional to receive a positive COVID-19 test. 3 days ago. Officials say resort guests remain despite “isolated” occurrence. 10 helpful votes. Required fields are marked *. Sandals Resorts International was prominent in travel news this week following a COVID-19 outbreak in Grenada that local press reports linked to the company’s Sandals Grenada property. Sandals Resorts International was prominent in travel news this week following a COVID-19 outbreak in Grenada that local press reports linked to the company’s Sandals Grenada property. Sandals Grenada cancelled and rescheduled our trip twice and, now that we can't go on the current selected date, they want to keep 50% as a penalty for a trip that is 70+days away. A cluster of 26 new cases of the coronavirus … Save. Sandals Grenada and the Government of Grenada have always enjoyed a healthy relationship, as the Prime Minister himself revealed. 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. Therefore, as of December 16, there was a total of 36 active cases on island. Prime Minister Dr. Mitchell said: ‘Sometimes I hear some people criticizing the situation at Sandals, but some of the places that were supposed to be quarantine places and people you would expect to be responsible, in some of the places that we had, they were having activities which they know was not appropriate for a quarantine place — in fact, they had to be spoken to… they themselves did not live up to their promises.” In a press conference on Sunday, officials in the Caribbean nation of Grenada confirmed a coronavirus outbreak at the all-inclusive Sandals Grenada resort, linking 26 cases to the property. Grenada's Ministry of Health says a Covid outbreak has been discovered at Sandals Grenada with 26 positive cases linked to the resort. Sandals in Grenada forces a partial island lockdown after 26 covid-19 cases are linked to the resort. Sandals Grenada Refutes Reports of COVID-19 Outbreak. Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa: Covid - No refunds - Caution - See 4,027 traveler reviews, 5,647 candid photos, and great deals for Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa at Tripadvisor. No cases are seriously ill. The positive cases include guests and employees, as well as their contacts. Sandals Grenada wishes to provide the following update on our team members and guests who were recently tested and retested for COVID 19. In the meantime, international travelers are still allowed to visit Grenada, as long as they present a negative PCR test taken within three days of their arrival in the country, then quarantine at their hotel for the duration of their stay. Grenada’s Health Minister Nickolas Steele is playing a very dangerous game at a very dangerous time, which, if left unchecked by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell, can have very dire consequences for Grenadians. However, cases continued to decline through May, and by June 18, the Ministry of Health … 10,110 posts. Read up on the latest travel restrictions. View on travelpulse.com. Known as the "Spice Isle," Grenada is a mesmerizing island with some of the most incredible natural wonders in the Caribbean from stunning beaches and waterfalls to … (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Your email address will not be published. Many times, we have seen Sandals and the Grenada Tourism Authority holding hands and working together to promote Grenada and there can be no doubt that Grenada has benefitted tremendously from that successful relationship, built up over nearly a decade by the hard work of many extraordinary persons, the late great Sir Royston Hopkin being one of them. With a stay at … We also have to pay $150 each to get tested down there. Sandals Grenada General Manager, Peter Fraser said in a statement: “We take this COVID-19 pandemic very seriously, and we implore that the dissemination of information to the public be rational and based on facts.” I tried to give you a link to newspaper reports regarding Sandals and covid infections but TA deemed it … 13. Grenada's Ministry of Health says a Covid outbreak has been discovered at Sandals Grenada with 26 positive cases linked to the resort. Public transportation in Grenada is operating. Sign … The Ministry of Health announces the laboratory confirmation of two new imported positive cases of COVID-19 in Grenada. Adam Stewart, the chain’s deputy … They also have a Sandals-related call center on the island employing over 300 more persons. The country has, however, canceled upcoming public events and officials have asked residents to avoid social gatherings for the next week or two. 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