Matamanoa Island Resort: COVID-Safe and welcoming travellers

The lovely Matamanoa Island Resort, a long-time adults-only favourite of couples, honeymooners and families, reopened for Fiji holidays along with Tourism Fiji’s erstwhile Bula Bubble period. But the resort has also kept a strong COVID safety programme to keep travellers and its staff healthy, safe and happy!

In line with Fiji Government’s Care Fiji Commitment, Matamanoa Fiji will be implementing best-practice COVID-19 policies and protocols.

What is the Resort doing for you?

• Facilitating social distancing as a part of general good practices
• Establishing modified and improved hygiene procedures for all guest rooms and public areas, focussing on high touch-point areas.
• Observing Fijian government-mandated standards for the use of masks and gloves by resort staff
• Non-contact temperature checks of incoming staff reporting for duty and those returning to the island
• Training the staff in all Care Fiji Commitment protocols and procedures
• Providing sanitizers and/or soap and water in all staff quarters and back-of-house areas.
• Staff to wash hands on a regular basis and after any contact-based activity.

COVID-Safe Housekeeping Practices

All arrival rooms to undergo deep cleaning and sanitisation, focusing on disinfecting door handles, control panels, remote controls, switches, toilet, nightstands, telephone, clocks, luggage rack and flooring. the guest rooms will only be serviced on every third day unless requested otherwise. Then, hand sanitiser will be provided in all rooms.

Everything to do with Food and Drinks

• Guests will be required to sanitise their hands on entry/exit of restaurant premises
• The restaurant and bar will be thoroughly sanitized between service periods
• All menus will be a la carte, there will be no buffet or manager’s cocktail evenings
• Public area tables and chairs will facilitate social distancing requirements
• All public areas including Reception, Boutique, Lounges will undergo regular sanitization
• hand sanitizer will be available for guests’ use in all public areas including reception, bar, restaurant, and bathrooms
• Public toilets will be serviced and cleaned every 2 hours

Fun & Games at Matamanoa, But with Added Safety

• All guests will receive complimentary snorkelling equipment for the duration of their stay. All equipment will be sanitized before allocation and guests are encouraged to bring their own.
• Other activity gear such as kayaks, hobie cats, tennis rackets will be sanitised between use while fixed equipment such as the calisthenics gym will be sanitized on a regular basis
• Where social distancing is not possible – like on the resort’s boats, passengers must compulsorily wear face masks.

The inhouse Spa: New rules

• A reduced spa menu will be available, and staff will be required to wear masks
• Spa rooms and tables will undergo sanitisation between appointments with a focus on high touch-point areas.

Medical Facilities Available from Matamanoa Fiji

• For minor issues, the resort carries a comprehensive first-aid kit and staff trained in basic first aid. The resort also has access to a nurse located on the neighbouring Mana Island, which is approximately 15 minutes away via boat
• Should a doctor be required, Zens Medical Centre is located at Denarau Marina, approximately 90 minutes by boat
• For emergencies, EMS Helipro Fiji is on call and offers 24/7/365 emergency medical services
• Fully qualified and experienced medical team
• Prehospital medical care and emergency medical support
• On-site treatment, stabilisation and medevac by air, sea or land when requested and as required
• Organise all hospital and medical admission processes including the general welfare and support for the patients’ family and or patients’ partner
• Regular updates and reports to the client, family and resort management
• Engage Embassy or High Commission assistance if required
• In-country medevac if required
• International medevac if required
• Full medevac SOP and training with ships’ nurses to allow easy reporting and handover onsite
• Patient and client confidentiality is a key component

But, there’s also a short list of things that guests have to ensure/ take care of!

• As ordered and amended by the Fiji Government: all guests arriving to Fiji will have undergone a compulsory negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test 72 hours prior to travel
• The Matamanoa Island Resort will require guests to present a copy of the negative test results prior to checking into the resort
• International guests arriving into Fiji will be screened and required to complete a COVID-19 health questionnaire upon arrival at Nadi International Airport.
• Guests are required to download the careFiji tracing app on arrival into the country. This is available in the Apple App store or Google Playstore and should be activated for the duration of your stay and your device taken everywhere with you
• Non-contact temperature checks of guests will be taken by staff on arrival, departure and at any time during their stay on request
• Guests are requested to supply their own masks for the duration of their stay if they feel it necessary
• Guests are requested to practice social distancing protocols of 1.5 meters
• Sanitizers are provided in public areas and guest rooms. Any guest who becomes ill or displays symptoms of COVID-19 at any time must immediately report to Reception where the Resort Manager and the Care Fiji Wellness Ambassador will be notified.

Overall, we think the resort is doing a great job in terms of protecting international travellers as well as its staff and people. Need more details on the resort? Check out our property page for Matamanoa Island Resort, it has all sorts of nifty information like resort details, accommodations choices and facilities, things to do in and around the resort, and… some pretty great holiday packages, too! You can also browse our other blogs on Fiji for great travel bucket list ideas.