Atlantis Paradise Island announced Thursday that The Bahamas property will welcome guests to The Royal and Harborside Resort beginning July 7, and The Cove on July 14, as part of a phased reopening.
The resort partnered with the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and launched the Atlantis Clean & Safe Promise to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of resort guests and Atlantis team members. The program will ensure the resort's cleaning and sanitization policies meet or exceed operational standards. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas Ministry of Health has reported zero active cases of the disease on Paradise Island.
Physical distancing and enhanced cleaning practices will be in place. Most of Atlantis' amenities will be open, including the Atlantis Casino, 20 indoor and outdoor dining outlets, miles of white sand beaches, pools, non-motorized sports, golf, tennis, fitness center, Mandara Spa, Aquaventure slides, Dolphin Cay, The Dig and other offerings. Group and meeting opportunities, including weddings and other events, will also be available to guests.
"We're thrilled to welcome guests and team members back to Atlantis," Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of the Atlantis Paradise Island, said in a release. "Nothing matters more than the health, safety, and well-being of our guests, team members, and the local community. The Atlantis Clean & Safe Promise is our commitment to working with global health experts to provide a safe and healthy environment for everyone who enters our doors. We can't wait for guests to join us again for the unforgettable Bahamian experience that sets Atlantis apart as the most remarkable destination resort in the world."
It's official, Sunny Days Are Ahead, we are reopening on July 7th, 2020! #PositivelyParadise #OpenForBusiness
— AtlantisBahamas (@atlantisbahamas) June 12, 2020
Click here for all the amenities that will be available during phase one: https://t.co/M59zkm7v3h pic.twitter.com/5AfPTk1R5h
The company said that Atlantis Clean & Safe Promise initiative's policies and procedures meet or exceed guidelines set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Bahamas Ministry of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and World Health Organization.
Atlantis' Safety and Cleanliness Council, a cross-functional team of experts, consulted with Dr. Theodore Turnquest, Medical Director of Atlantis, and a team of medical experts from Cleveland Clinic to develop comprehensive internal and external health and safety guidelines and materials. Atlantis and Cleveland Clinic will continue to collaborate on new approaches and precautions on an ongoing basis.
Per the Atlantis' program, guests are encouraged to expedite the check-in process up to 24-hours prior to arrival via their smartphone, and to wear masks in all indoor public areas throughout the resort. In certain instances, such as riding in elevators and playing at casino table games, masks will be required. Also, guests will be advised to practice physical distancing by standing at least 6 feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them, including in any area where guests or team members queue.
Hand washing and sanitizing stations with no less than 60% alcohol-based sanitizer will be available throughout the resort. There will be signage reminders to guide and remind guests and team members of the enhanced protocols such as washing hands, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and avoiding touching their faces.
Atlantis has increased the frequency of deep, daily cleaning and sanitization throughout the resort, with a focus on high-touch surfaces in common-areas, using EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants for use and effectiveness against COVID-19, bacteria and other infectious pathogens. Electrostatic sprayers will be used to help apply disinfectants more effectively for full-wrap around coverage to defend against the virus for up to 60 days. Atlantis is also using UV-C light technology as an additional protection measure against COVID-19.
Atlantis Clean & Safe Promise extends to all Atlantis team members, contractors, and suppliers, helping to keep them and their workplace safe along with Atlantis' guests.
The reopening of Atlantis will coincide with the fifth phase of The Bahamas' COVID-19 de-escalation plan and the resumption of international commercial travel, including flights by major U.S. airlines to The Bahamas, on July 1. Guidelines from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation will require travelers to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test upon arrival.