Staff at Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica have been making preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl, which has already devastated parts of the eastern Caribbean.
The deadly storm is expected to hit Jamaica and the Cayman Islands today (July 3), after causing widespread damage in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada on Monday.
Both international airports in Jamaica are currently closed but it is hoped they will reopen as soon as it is safe.
Karl Thompson, managing director at Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd (UCHL) – Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts’ UK tour operator – said: “We continue to assist local communities across the Caribbean, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by Hurricane Beryl.
“Our charitable arm, The Sandals Foundation, is already working with teams in each of the impacted islands to help with the recovery response.”
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He said guests and resort staff in Saint Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are safe and well.
“We are working with clients who have had their travel plans impacted to ensure that their bookings are protected,” he added.
“The international airports in Barbados, Grenada and Saint Lucia are now open and Argyle International Airport in Saint Vincent is due to re-open today.”
He added: “We are ensuring that appropriate preparations are taken at all of our resorts in Jamaica.
“Each Sandals and Beaches resort has a long-established set of protocols to not only monitor and prepare for weather incidents, but also to quickly implement a series of escalating actions and safety measures, depending on the nature of the storm.
“After more than 43 years of operating across the Caribbean, natural events including hurricanes are something that we have a great deal of experience with, and we plan for them as early as the design and build stage of each resort property and its structures and amenities, and our teams are well trained.
“Each resort also maintains emergency supplies, medicines, bottled water and food, as well as generators and other necessary equipment and tools in order to support its operations when local infrastructure may be impacted.
“All current guests of the resort receive regular updates directly from the resort team and are given clear instructions as to any changes in resort operations and policies designed to ensure everyone’s safety. The health and safety of our guests and our team members is our highest priority.”
If there is a weather impact on bookings or travel plans, the UCHL operations team and the resorts offer flexibility and support, he said.
There are Beaches resorts at Negril and Ocho Rios, plus Sandals resorts in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril.