Making Holidays COVID-Safe: Outrigger Fiji’s Clean Commitment!

As the world opens slowly to travel and life again, there are justified concerns about how safe it is to travel again. So, Outrigger Fiji and Castaway Island Resort lead the way in how they’re going the extra mile to ensure travellers’ health and safety against COVID-19. Both resorts have recently been felicitated as ‘Best Family Resort in Fiji’ in the annual Out & About With Kids Readers’ Choice Awards in 2020!

To ensure international travellers as well as staff members’ heath and safety when travel restrictions are lifted, the Outrigger Group has implemented increased hygiene monitoring and measures. Working with Ecolab, one of the world’s foremost companies in hospitality sanitation and services, the hotel chain has developed its multi-point programme to combat the novel coronavirus (n-COVID19). 

The Outrigger Group has based the ‘Clean Commitment’ programme on five pillars of clean certification, increased cleaning, host health checks, frequent hand-washing and social distancing. This has been implemented across all Outrigger properties, including Outrigger Fiji and Castaway Island Resort in Mamanuca Islands.

Points on Guest Safety

What are the immediate measures to protect guests? All Outrigger properties across the world will use cleaning Ecolab supplies, which have recently received American agency EPA’s COVID efficacy certification. All resort areas will undergo increased cleaning and sanitation. 

Thirdly, paperless interaction – the resorts will boost efforts in eliminating any unnecessary collateral and implementing touchless key card distribution across its room inventory. Hand sanitizers will be placed at entrances, exits as well as various locations throughout the property for immediate access. In-room items such as compendiums, glassware and toiletries will be replaced after each instance of guest stay.

And finally, with respect to health and safety reminders; physical distancing and health guidelines are posted throughout the property. Clear signage will be placed around resort areas to mark appropriate physical distancing guidelines.

Keeping Hosts’ Well-Being

As a part of Outrigger’s ‘Clean Commitment Certification’, all hosts have to pass mandatory training and certification on the resort’s new safety and sanitation standards. There are daily temperature checks to be noted as hosts report to work. Then, all hosts are required to wash their hands or use sanitiser every 60 minutes (washing for duration > 20 seconds) and after any activity using their hands. Shared equipment (like trays, glasses, trolleys, maintenance equipment, etc) will be sanitised before, during and after each shift or anytime the equipment is transferred to a new host. All housekeeping staff have been equipped with CDC-recommended supplies and protective wear, including gloves, gowns/aprons, masks and eye protection.

Physical Distancing & Increased Cleaning

As mentioned earlier, the resort will be using EPA-approved Ecolab sanitation products for disinfection and cleaning – these products have been tested to kill the COVID-19 virus. Then, UV wands will be used for front desk and guestroom items; while electrostatic sprayers will be used for all public areas for heavy-duty sterilisation. Plus, the front desk & concierge will additional protection in the form of clear partitions.

Guest rooms will receive special focus on disinfecting high-touch areas like handles, TV remotes, in-room control panels, light switches, toilet seats, nightstands, telephones, alarm clocks, luggage racks and flooring.

Public spaces and all communal areas will have increased scheduled frequency of cleaning/ sanitising. Seating arrangements in restaurants have been rejigged to allow a minimum of 6 feet space between each party. Tables, chairs, booths, condiments and check presenters are carefully sanitised after each use/instance. Meeting and conference spaces have reset seating arrangement to ensure physical distancing for all guests/ attendees. Around swimming pools, cabanas and sun-loungers have been configured to allow for 6 feet of separation between individuals and groups. The gyms and fitness centre will have increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection. And finally, HVAC and air filters in guest rooms and public areas will be replaced on escalated timetables.

COVID-Free Fiji Holidays!

The Outrigger resort chain stresses that this dedication is but a part of its ethos of providing the highest standards for health and safety at each of its properties. So, when you travel to Fiji and its 333 islands again, be confident in the knowledge that Outrigger Fiji and Castaway Fiji are at the top of their game in ensuring a happy, COVID-free Fiji holiday for you. Also, you should have a read about how COVID-19 is affecting your immediate and future travel plans – it’s always better to be informed!