The press release by the Ministry of Health, Grenada, to the general public last Friday, 13 March was reckless and irresponsible in singling out the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort by name in relation to St Lucia’s confirmed case of Covid-19.
Why was there no mention of the British Airways flight, other companies, venues, or cricket matches the victim attended? By sharp contrast, the Chief Medical Officer in St Lucia handled it professionally by refusing to name the resort where the same coronavirus victim stayed.
The publication by the Ministry of Health did nothing more than deliberately inflict severe economic and reputational damage on the resort; its committed and hardworking employees who sustain nearly 200 families; and the hundreds of suppliers who depend on the resort. The ministry’s actions have instilled unnecessary fear and prejudice in the public against our employees, their immediate families and the property itself. Yesterday, we were informed by a member of the Ministry of Health, that as the victim’s husband tested negative, the transmission risk is very low.
Given the rapid global spread of this viral pandemic, and the continued arrival of hundreds of travellers through our air and sea ports, we must prepare for this invisible threat with solidarity and compassion for each other.
The Radisson Grenada Beach Resort therefore urges and makes a special appeal to the Grenadian public to stop victimising our hardworking employees by refusing them transportation to work, exerting verbal or other pressure on them to dissuade them from attending work, or engaging in more hideous acts such as spraying them with disinfectant. We further appeal to the public to remember that our employees are victims of this situation and are not responsible in any way for the irresponsible way the Ministry of Health has chosen to handle this matter.
We wish to firmly reassure our employees, resident and non-resident guests, and our suppliers that we have implemented and are enforcing the highest and strictest protocols in accordance with the updated measures issued by the relevant international health organisations, like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), and our local Ministry of Health. We fully intend to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and guests, and this remains and will remain our priority.
Since the disclosure by the Ministry of Health, they have engaged in testing and continuous monitoring and are pleased to report that there are no positive tests for the virus. We will continue to rigorously monitor this situation and provide any further updates, as necessary, to the public.
We take this opportunity to thank our employees, guests and members of the public who have been supportive and understanding through this difficult time. Radisson Grenada Beach Resort’s commitment to you remains stronger than ever as we face the Covid-19 pandemic, united together.
Peace be with you,
Daniel Nicholas
Managing Director
Radisson Grenada Beach Resort
The Radisson should not have allowed groups into the hotel from the Cruise Ships.
It’s possible that the lady caught the virus from them.Ruth
First of all it’s ok for the quest of the hotel be notify about the mater as it is fully contagious. That’s is the hotel obligation even though at the time that person was feeling ok till she got to saint Lucia. In north america they said where the quarantine centers are located and in which city they had conferences etc and that someone was in that conference tested positive and must be quarantined. It’s safety for everyone. People dont go crazy about knowing that.
The people that treated the workers bad even the transportation is unbelievable. That’s is rude discriminatory and shameful. A lot of Grenadians are ignorant especially the generation that’s exciting now. In my opinion they have no class. Grenadians does say Grenadians are a brunch of stupid people with no sense. They suppose to be friendly as they known for years and caring. Grenadians be mindful, show humanity, help your people in times of crisis. Dont condemn dont discriminate. Karma going come back and bite your ass.
So saying I understands fully well and respect the opinions but one must be mindful not without saying we all have to be aware but remember how one word could damage a reputation especially where hotels and different business in grenada depends on tourism one should be mindful this could cause much harm to the facilities plus workers and transportation as described there was a false alarm in petit martinique conveying the same behavior on national radio someone called and made a mess which wasn’t true this caused the place to be under quarantine and loosing costomers please let’s deal with this stuff more responsibly thank
So lets think about this and the public impact….So the hotel had a confirmed virus positive guest on the property for one day or maybe several days. They used all the facilities and potential exposed other hotel guest and staff to the virus. Have all the hotel Guests that stay at hotel during this time period been notified? Has the hotel property been sanitized? Some guest may have picked up the virus and traveled home (on an airplane) to other countries thus spreading the virus to others. The guests that stayed at this hotel should so have been informed And asked to self quarantine for 14 days. This is perfect example of how a highly contagious virus is spread around the region and globe. The hotel Management as a responsibility to their staff and the public. This should not be covered -up but told to all and the guest that stay at this hotel during this period should be notified. ASAP.
I support Radisson 100 percent. I too was surprised when the hotel was named .. and here we see the repercussions of this reflected in the victimization of their staff .. the hotel’s management and staff are owed an apology. Here in st. Lucia the public is irritate that the hotel’s where the infected persons stayed weren’t named.. but bravo to the Government and CMO for protecting our citizens from the abuse being faced by the grenadians.
I fully support and endorse the Radisson’s statement. The MOH was reckless, irresponsible and unprofessional in this matter and they ought to issue an immediate apology to all whom their actions have put in harms way whether, physically, reputationally and financially.