Increasing occupancy demand by tourists has led to the reopening of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica and St Lucia’s Sandals Halcyon Beach resort this week.

Officials at the holding company, Sandals Resorts International (SRI), report that the hotel chain had little choice but to open its resort in Ocho Rios and St Lucia in response to “increasing occupancy demand in the Caribbean”. As a pull to attracting visitors, the resorts offer complimentary onsite testing in compliance with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations.

These regulations require Americans to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result for re-entry to the United States. Testing would be conducted by approved and practised medical professionals, with guests’ maximum convenience in mind.

SRI said resort staff would schedule testing for guests upon arrival.

“Sandals is also advising guests traveling to its St Lucia resort of the updated protocols issued this week, under which the window to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result has been narrowed to no more than five days prior to arrival,” SRI said.

The Sandals properties were first closed on March 30 following the pandemic outbreak in the Caribbean. To assist travel agencies impacted by the travel downturn driven by the outbreak, SRI has extended its travel advisor programmes and benefits, including agencies’ and Certified Sandals Specialist status, through the end of 2021.