Barbados: Sandals delisted as quarantine facility over alleged breaches

Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic
Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic

(Barbados Nation) Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George has delisted Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa as a designated quarantine hotel effective January 5, 2021, and three tourists have been held for questioning by police, according to a media statement on Tuesday.

“This action was taken after several verified complaints of breaches of the COVID-19 protocols taking place at the resort with respect to visitors in quarantine.

“Additionally, police have held for questioning at least three tourists in relation to alleged breaches of COVID-19 protocols related to quarantine,” the statement noted.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness takes the issue of breaches of the COVID-19 protocols very seriously and will take similar action if other designated quarantine hotels and villas refuse to uphold the rules and regulations that have been put in place to protect workers in the hotel sector and, by extension, the rest of the country.

The ministry has advised designated quarantine hotels to “immediately review the standard operating procedures with respect to the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Barbados”.

On Monday evening Minister of Health and Wellness Jeffrey Bostic warned that authorities would take firm action against any businesses or individuals that breached protocols.

Bostic was speaking during a press conference on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic at Ilaro Court.