Published on : Saturday, May 2, 2020
It also realised that the program will provide the Puerto Rico Tourism Company with a competitive advantage through the implementation of additional measures to promote the island as a tourist destination. It has been developed using the most rigorous standards as well as guides and recommendations from the agencies and organisations that specialise on the subject. In addition, best practice cases have been used as a reference to the program.
The program aims to elevate Puerto Rico’s tourism industry and position it as the new gold standard in destination health and safety. PRTC looks forward to increasing consumer confidence in the island as a destination that is prepared and has adjusted to the current situation. The two-level system was designed based on the guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 established by CDC, WHO, the OSHA 3990 report, the Puerto Rico Department of Health guidelines, Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced’s executive orders, and high-caliber programs such as Singapore’s Safety Seal and the National Restaurant Association.
The first level of the program will provide a Tourism Health and Safety Operational Guide, practical guidance with the mandatory measures to safeguard the health of employees, visitors, and local patrons. Meanwhile, the second level will come with the Health and Safety Seal. It is a certification program for all endorsed tourism industry businesses that meet or have already exceeded the implementation and ongoing execution of the established measures.
The guide includes measures such as the creation of wellness checkpoints for employees and guests, new check-in process and completion of the Travel Declaration and Contact Tracing Form, safe and social distancing measures guidance per type of business, and activity. It also has restrictions and additional health measures for self-service food systems, augmented cleaning, and disinfecting protocols. Instructions regarding hand-sanitizing stations and PPE training are also provided.
These new standards of hygiene will be applicable to all tourism businesses on the island including hotels, resorts, small inns, guesthouses, time-shared properties, short-term rentals, casinos as well as restaurants and eateries. Tour operators, tourist transportations, experiences management, bars, nightclubs, and other attractions will also be eligible to apply the standards. The program will roll out starting May 4 and the vast majority of tourism-related businesses will be practicing these measures by the time visitors are welcomed back in the region.