Atlantis employees to begin weekly COVID testing next week

Atlantis employees to begin weekly COVID testing next week

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As Atlantis prepares to open with its “bubble” concept on December 1, employees of the megaresort on Paradise Island will be required to take a rapid antigen test weekly beginning next Monday.

The resort has been shuttered since mid-March.

In a letter to staff dated November 6, Atlantis Human Resources advised said beginning Monday all employees will be required to undertake mandatory self-screening tests via and a rapid antigen test.

The resort said it has partnered with Doctor’s Hospital to administer the rapid antigen test for screening without cost to employees.

It advised that staff will receive an email inviting them to complete an electronic form, which would provide them with an appointment at one of two drive-in testing locations, Town Centre Mall and Doctor’s Hospital West.

Employees have been asked to complete the screening process by November 14.

The results of the tests will be provided within one to two hours.

Atlantis said for staff to be permitted on the property as of November 16, they must pass the daily self-screening and obtain a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test weekly.

“You will be required to present your negative test results daily,” read the letter.

“All team members will be required to wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose and at all times, enter the resort through a thermal temperature scan, and submit a daily online self-screening.”

Atlantis said it was being guided by its leaders and its ‘Clean and Safe Promise’, which meets international and local government-mandated standards of health.

The resort intends to hold training sessions on health protocols.

Employees will be required to participate in training and orientation for the new guidelines.

“Team members will be required to follow all Atlantis safety protocols at all times, even when leaving the property,” the resort said.

“These precautionary health measures and our Atlantis Clean and Safe Program safety protocols help maintain a safe environment for you, or team members, guests and the community.

It added: “On behalf of the leadership team, we appreciate your patience, commitment, and courage in this challenging year.

“As unprecedented as these months have been, we are confident we are a more resilient team.

“Let’s continue to work towards a great future. Sunny days are ahead.”

Atlantis originally proposed to reopen on July 15, in line with the reopening to tourism reopening to international commercial carriers on July 1, but the resort pushed back the date due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas and other key markets.

Entry into The Bahamas requires a health visa, inclusive of COVID insurance, negative RT PCR COVID-19 test and rapid antigen test of the fifth day of stay.

About Royston Jones Jr.

Royston Jones Jr. is a senior digital reporter and occasional TV news anchor at Eyewitness News. Since joining Eyewitness News as a digital reporter in 2018, he has done both digital and broadcast reporting, notably providing the electoral analysis for Eyewitness News’ inaugural election night coverage, “Decision Now 2021”.