LET’S GO LOCAL
Top hygiene practices for Fijian Resort guests safety
Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort’s hygiene protocol is outstanding and has to be commended.
Arriving at the island all guests’ temperature is taken and everyone has to wipe their footwear on a sanitising mat before checking in.
Resort general manager Francis Lee said they wanted guests to enjoy their vacation and at the same time have a peace of mind with hygiene.
“Our Shangri-La group have a stringent measure when it comes to food safety, cleanliness and hygiene.
“Now with the new norm, we have set ourselves with a very high standard.”
“Hygiene is very strict now with all high ‘touch’ points being continuously cleaned. “There are certain things we clean every hour.” he said.
Hygiene training
Mr Lee said all resort staff have been through strict hygiene training.
He added the checkpoint near the bridge gave the resort an added advantage where early detection of high temperature would see such guests be prevented from reaching the main part of the resort.
The Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort has not released any of their permanent staff from their employment and continue to pay them, but with reduced hours.
Even the casual and part-time workers are being supported on a monthly basis with food and $100 cash.
“During the lockdown, we were hit by TC Harold and it was a very difficult time not only for Shangri-La but those also in the nearby areas and other areas in Fiji.
“So you get double hit in a very short time but we continue to employ staff with reduced hours.
“Permanent staff have a job – we have not released a single person and for casual and part time workers we still support them every month.
The casuals and part timers are given 10kg or flour and rice each, 2kg cooking oil, 4kg sugar and salt and $100 cash to each of them.
“For the permanent staff, we give them the same food items but not the money because they have jobs are being paid.
“I have honestly not heard of any other hotels doing this and we will continue to do this. “We are doing whatever we can to help them.”
Mr Lee said assistance to the staff have even gone towards assisting with medical bills for staff immediate family.
“A lot of business now, not only in Fiji but overseas, would declare bankruptcy now and walk away but we are sticking around and providing help for the staff.”
Other initiatives and assistances being given for staff include:
■Help towards staff with newborn – milk powder, diapers, etc
■Helping staff whose children have returned to school – over 300 school packs given for staff ’s children going to school
■Medical costs for those who cannot afford medication is being assisted
■Assisting staff with backyard gardens “I think we have gone above and beyond to keep the community alive.
“To sustain and support all our staff is hard,” Mr Lee said.