After months of staying at home, travel to the beach could be beneficial to both physical and mental health. Swimming, walking by the beach, enjoying the view of the sea, or even just listening to the sound of the waves can give a sense that everything will eventually be alright.
The Acuatico Beach Resort in San Juan, Batangas, has recently re-opened its doors to guests. To make sure guests and crew members remain COVID-19-free, the resort has developed its “Safe Oasis” initiative, a set of new processes and operational guidelines that will ensure optimum sanitation and hygiene.
One of the first few guests who were able to visit Acuatico since the resort started accepting guests again is Vincent Jun Robles, a frequent traveler and HR manager in Tiaong, Quezon.
He shared his experience of visiting the resort under the “new normal.”
- Online booking and filling out health declaration forms are required. No walk-ins allowed. (FYI: Only three resorts are presently allowed to operate in the entire town of San Juan, Batangas. A resort should pass DOT and DOH standards before it is allowed to operate.)
- Guests are required to pass through the local tourism office for health check and to secure referral slips. Only tourists with confirmed bookings are allowed to enter the town.
- Temperature check and hand sanitation before guests are allowed entry to the resort.
- Bags and belongings are disinfected upon arrival.
- Welcome Kit now includes alcohol and face mask.
- Use of QR code to access resort services and restaurant menu are encouraged.
- Swimming in the pool is by schedule. Online appointment required. Groups are separated in different pools at different times.
- Use of beach is unlimited.
- Buffet lunches are suspended. Food are served in plastic wrap in guests’ villas or cabanas.
- The resort is only at 50 percent capacity to avoid overcrowding.
- Only guests allowed are ones from areas under MGCQ.
- Sun loungers are constantly sanitized.
- Resort personnel wear face masks at all times.)
- Housekeeping personnel wear PPEs.
- Contactless payments are encouraged.
While these measures seem to be cumbersome, they’re really not. Robles said he has no complaints because he knows they are put in place to keep him, fellow guests, and crew members safe while enjoying a relaxing weekend.
