We are living in unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta, as well as most hoteliers around the world, had to close their doors for the first time in history. Garza Blanca resort was given the green light to reopen on May 15th, 2020. While we were closed, we focused on deep cleaning the resort and redesigning the guest experience to ensure safety. Garza Blanca resort updates include making adjustments to all of our hygiene and disinfection protocols, providing increased training to all our staff on hygiene, and implementing extra procedures for food safety.
The following points are a general summary of our current policies and procedures for all TAFER Hotels & Resorts, including Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta:
- Adherence to government regulations
- Temperature screenings
- Constant cleaning and disinfection of public spaces
- Reinforcement and training of hand washing techniques for personnel
- Use of masks and gloves for food processing personnel
- Change from buffet to a-la-carte menu in restaurants where a buffet was offered
- Healthy distance between tables in restaurants and staff dining room with reduced and controlled capacity
- Practicing Social distancing at distances of 6 Feet / 1.8 Meters
- Use and implementation of sanitizing gel in all areas touched by staff and guests
- Adherence to global standards through providers like Ecolab
- Protocol of cleaning and protection by transportation companies that transport the staff to and from the resorts
We will continue to make adjustments and investments to the operations of the resorts, some temporary and some longer lasting, as we get more information from the authorities.
All TAFER Resorts will have a doctor on staff to assess symptoms presented by employees, contractors, guests, residents or owners.
The managers will be in continuous communication with all staff to reinforce safety measures and report new developments, as well as provide information, medical assistance, and timely follow-up to staff who present symptoms.
TAFER Resorts is Committed to Your Health and Safety
In March, TAFER Resorts corporate sent a memo to department heads of all hotels, including General Managers, Human Resources, Security, Administrations, Operations and Housekeeping, which detailed the newest guidelines, control measures and infection prevention measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmitting respiratory illness both internally with our staff, as well as guests, members and owners. Department heads are responsible for training all staff.
The memo included the following information, which we want to share with you so that you will be aware of the safety measures that we are taking at all TAFER Resorts, including Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta.
Public Areas
Thermal cameras have been installed at the resort entrance to conduct a non-invasive. All staff will have their temperature taken upon arrival by our security team. Anyone displaying a temperature over 100°F / 38°C will be assisted to an area to take a second temperature screening. Any guest or staff member showing a temperature over 100°F / 38°C will be directed towards appropriate medical care.
Public high touch surfaces such as front desk, restaurant counters, tables, railings, light switches, door handles, etc. will be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day using a disinfecting solution.
Elevator capacity will be limited to a 4 people maximum, except for guests staying in the same room. A staff member will be present to sanitize the elevator button panels and other contact surfaces depending on the traffic in each elevator of the resort.
Restaurant hostesses will be responsible for opening and closing access doors. Dining tables, chairs, and bar stools to be sanitized after each use. Menus, check holders, pens and equipment that is presented to the guest during the service sequence will be disinfected after each use. For guest comfort, menus will also be available via a QR code.
Chaise lounge chairs in the pool and beach areas will be placed with appropriate physical distancing and will be sanitized after each use.
Gym access will be by appointment only and five people will be admitted at a time. Gym equipment will be sanitized frequently. The capacity at the spa will be controlled and services will be by appointment only. Use of the hydrotherapy circuit will also be by appointment only. Therapists will wear gloves for treatment upon guest request. The massage cabins will be sanitized after each use with appropriate cleaning supplies and under strict sanitation protocols.
Hand sanitizing gel dispensers have been strategically placed at key areas throughout the resort including elevator banks, restaurants, at the gym and at the spa.
If you would like to know more about what we are doing to take care of the health of our guests and staff, we recommend you watch this video.
Housekeeping
We have implemented industry leading cleaning and sanitization protocols for cleaning the suites with particular focus on high-touch surfaces such as television remote controls, door and furniture handles, toilet seats and handles, bathroom vanity and water faucet handles, nightstands, light switches, temperature control panels, etc.
Maids will use a face mask during the cleaning service. For guest convenience and to minimize contact, guests can pre-select a time slot with their time preference for the cleaning service.
All reusable collateral has been removed from the suites and has been replaced with single use collateral. Extra pillows and blankets have been removed and will be provided upon guest request.
What if Staff or Guests Present Symptoms?
TAFER Resorts has outlined a procedure for the identification and monitoring of people with symptoms, in case any staff or guests appear to be sick at the resorts.
Determination of whether a person may be infected with Covid-19 is left to the staff doctor.
If a staff member is present at the resort with fever, cough or sneeze and/or difficulty breathing, he or she will be instructed to use proper hygiene measures and etiquette when sneezing, and he or she will have an on-site medical examination by the staff doctor, who will determine if he or she should go to the hospital.
The staff member must follow the doctor’s instructions, which could include sick leave or other recommendations.
If a guest is present at the resort with fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, the Rooms Division Manager will be informed and will make contact with the guest, explain the importance of attending to his or her symptoms, and send him or her to the staff doctor for evaluation. The staff doctor will determine the measures to be taken by Hotel Operations and the treatment to follow for the guest.
We’re Waiting for You
In conclusion, TAFER Resorts is taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously, and has implemented additional procedures to ensure that our resorts are safe for everyone. We are very much looking forward welcoming you back and hope to see you soon!
