With COVID-19 safety protocols at the forefront, Wailea Resort on Maui reopens with successful phased plan.
Today, the global coronavirus pandemic has created deep concerns on the part of many travelers. The dangers of contracting COVID-19 impacted vacation planning during 2020 in many places. Some of the leading resort hotels in Wailea have developed comprehensive new hygiene and safety plans to address this topic.
Why The Pandemic Concerns The Hospitality Industry
The spread of the Novel Coronavirus (or "COVID-19") during 2020 impacted numerous economic sectors. Businesses within the hospitality industry, including resorts, hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks, felt the impact of the pandemic keenly. In March, public health mandates affected the operations of these businesses in several states (including Hawaii).
Many health and safety experts agree, hotels in general sustain risks from diseases like COVID-19. Travelers sometimes journey to these sites from a wide array of locations (including virus hot spots). Unfortunately, people infected with the Novel Coronavirus can spread this disease without even realizing they have contracted the illness. The symptoms of this virus may vary widely from one person to another. Consequently, concerns exist that an infected traveler staying at a hotel might unwittingly pass along the virus to hotel employees or other guests.
Best Practices For Hotel Guests
Travelers do possess the ability to take some safeguards to reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19. Some health authorities suggest staying in private rental accommodations (like the lovely rental condos as Wailea Elua) might pose one of the safest options for long term vacations. However, numerous resorts have also taken strong measures to promote public safety during the pandemic.
Consider adhering to some of these recommended precautions during a vacation to a hotel or a resort:
Always comply with local health mandates (e.g. some states, including Hawaii, require everyone to wear masks in public places);
Maintain social distancing while standing in lines or visiting public areas;
Only stay at hotels that perform comprehensive cleaning and disinfection during the pandemic;
Utilize room service or meal take out services, instead of lingering in dining rooms or bars;
Check that the hotel uses EPA-registered cleaning agents;
Ensure housekeepers wash their hands before changing bed linens;
Only stay in well-cleaned rooms with disinfected bathrooms.
Sometimes hotel guests harbor concerns about using swimming pools. However, chlorine in the water should help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in well-maintained pools.
Hawaii's Safe Travels Program Helps Protect The Public
As an international tourism center, the State of Hawaii has taken strong measures to help safeguard the public against COVID-19. In March, health officials imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon anyone arriving in the Hawaiian Islands. Currently, visitors who pretest and obtain negative results within 72-hours of entering the State may bypass the quarantine under some circumstances. They must comply fully with the requirements for Hawaii's Safe Travels program.
Additionally, the Governor recently issued a new proclamation impacting health precautions in Hawaii. Visitors also need to pay close attention to information supplied on the State's official website (due to the possibility of further COVID-19 public health measures). By law, hotels and resorts operating on Maui must establish formal health and safety plans during the pandemic.
Leading Resorts in Maui Emphasize Hygiene
Since reopening for business, the leading resorts in Wailea have implemented robust cleaning and disinfection measures. The Grand Wailea, the Andaz Maui at Wailea, the Wailea Beach Resort, the Four Seasons Resort Maui, and many other hospitality industry providers have all considered this important subject.
These businesses encourage everyone to wear masks, perform frequent hand washing, and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Some resorts even maintain physicians as medical consultants to assist their guests and staff members.
Using Technology Effectively
One widespread safety precaution during the pandemic involves a greater reliance on cyberspace. Travelers who bypass the mandatory quarantine typically bring along their mobile phones during Maui vacations. These guests must check in daily with the Safe Travels website anyway to confirm their health status.
During the pandemic, these mobile gadgets offer vacationers access to extensive information without requiring them to congregate in large groups, e.g. by helping guests avoid waiting in lines to check into guest rooms. Many patrons also place menu orders at resort restaurants online, too. This effective use of technology has contributed to greater safety at Maui resorts during the pandemic
