by JP Schwmon
Several reports reaching Asbert News Network from workers on Mustique Island claimed that COVID-19 infections on the ultra exclusive Grenadines resort have steadily worsened in recent times.
One employee lamented management’s apparent double standards when faced with COVID-19 infected guests versus employees – the bulk of whom are Vincentians.
“It’s real messed up cause the last time when the construction [workers] and the local people had COVID they were removed from the island. So why now when the guests have it we have to work with them? Unfair!”
Another employee charged that even when employees test positive for the flu-like virus they are still expected to perform their contractual obligations.
“They saying the guests have it and the workers have it so make sense they still work. And mind you when you going off island they not testing you eh. So you can take it home to your family.”
A recent communiqué dispatched by email to the island’s “valued team members” exhorted the “mandatory use of face masks and coverings on Mustique Island Resort.”
The directive, as communicated by the Company’s Senior Management Team (SMT), was to be “implemented to promote the use of masks and face coverings in enclosed public places with the health and safety of our guests, residents and team members in view.”
Although the dispatch did not address the purported prevalence of the COVID-19 virus on-island, one of the listed stipulations advised against continued, “face to face contact with fellow team members.” Employees were instructed, instead, to increase “the use of telecommunication, electronic communication and other online correspondence” between each other.
Once any public interaction was required, the notice recommended, “all team members are required to wear a mask or face covering upon entering and remaining within any public indoor location/facility regardless of vaccination status.”
These locales ranged from the resort’s aircrafts and all other passenger transport systems to restaurants and places of worship.
“Temporary removal of mask or face covering is permitted where necessary … [when:] actively engaging in an athletic activity including water-based activities, consuming food or drink [and] for any emergency or medical purpose.”
The Senior Management team pledged to “continue to work diligently to support all affected and issue pertinent updates as required” since “the health, safety and satisfaction of all [are] at the heart of the Company’s agenda.”
ANN’s efforts to secure a response from the Mustique Company remained unproductive up to publishing time.