Health checks at hotel entrances: venues for meetings and conventions will be adjusted for social distancing. Credit: Sands Resorts Macao
MACAO - Sands Resorts Macao has launched its health and safety protocol, Sands SafeStay, which focusses on sanitisation, prevention and contactless services.
The initiative will be implemented at The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, Sands Cotai Central and Sands Macao, and will focus on three key areas - sanitisation, prevention and contactless services, with protocols going beyond the already rigorous hygiene programme in place.
Working with the Macao government and Macao Health Bureau, and following World Health Organization guidelines, a comprehensive raft of precautions have been implemented.
360-degree sanitisation approach
Sanitisation and additional cleaning play a key role in battling infection risk. Sands Resorts Macao uses hospital grade disinfectant from Ecolab and Diversey and adopts a 360-degree approach to sanitisation in public spaces and communal areas, restrooms, meeting and convention spaces, casinos, restaurants, bars, shopping malls and recreational facilities.
Dedicated teams have been established to increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting, with guidelines that meet or exceed local authority recommendations.
A major focus is hotel guest rooms, where stringent cleaning and disinfecting protocols have been radically upgraded. This includes the sterilisation of key cards for around 12,500 hotel rooms prior to check-in.
Hard at work: additional sanitisation and deep cleaning at all Sands Resorts Macao's F&B outlets. Credit: Sands Resorts Macao
Prevention measures
Social distancing remains one of the main pillars of the preventive effort, with guests required to stay at least a metre from others while in queues, using elevators and moving around the integrated resorts. Restaurant tables, slot machines and gaming tables have been arranged to ensure appropriate space between guests.
Team members are well trained to deal with the specifics of minimising virus risk and have the appropriate equipment and resources, including the use of thermal detectors, face masks and sanitiser to fulfil their daily duties and protect our guests and other team members.
In addition, venue capacity for recreational facilities such as the Eiffel Tower, Qube, gondola rides and swimming pools, along with the meeting and convention spaces, has been adjusted to again ensure social distancing.
Contactless service
At this critical time, contactless services minimise contact with shared devices such as credit card processors and checkout counters, while offering customers a safer way to pay, and speeding up the checkout process.
The use of contactless digital payment systems such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and MPay is encouraged and accepted at more than 650 outlets at shopping malls, restaurants, box offices and hotels across the integrated resorts.
Express check-in is possible through both the Sands Resorts Macao website and smartphone app to speed up the process. eTicketing capability allows guests to purchase tickets through WeChat and other mobile apps, and enter attractions such as the Eiffel Tower at The Parisian Macao and upcoming teamLab SuperNature through eGating simply by scanning the code using their mobile phones. Located in Cotai Expo, teamLab SuperNature Macao will feature immersive artworks in a labyrinthine space.
Dr Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China, said: "The health and wellbeing of guests and team members is our absolute priority. Sands Resorts Macao is doing everything in its power to safeguard their health and comfort when they stay, shop or dine at any of our hotels in Macao. We are confident in the measures we have taken, and look forward to again welcoming customers when they return. When guests are ready, we are ready."
Sands Resorts Macao is in the heart of Taipa's Cotai Strip, an integrated resort city and international hub of 12,500 hotel rooms and suites, international entertainment, duty free shopping, meeting and exhibition space, and Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and lounges.