Blue Diamond Resorts Inc

Free on-site COVID-19 viral tests and Medical Assistance at Blue Diamond Resorts properties

 

January 15, 2021

Keeping our promise to provide Safety-Assured Vacations to our valued guests, and following the recent guidelines by the CDC requiring all air travelers returning to the US to present a negative COVID-19 test, we are happy to announce that Blue Diamond Resorts has implemented several important measures at their properties. As of January 26, 2021, Blue Diamond Resorts will offer to US travelers free on-site COVID-19 viral tests and free Medical Assistance coverage to cover the cost of any accidents or illness, including COVID-19 related medical needs.

Viral Antigen Testing

To ensure a seamless vacation experience, Blue Diamond Resorts has partnered with local medical labs and implemented viral testing for guests right in the comfort of their resort. This procedure will be carried out by a medical professional in a designated area of the resort and will be offered free of charge for guests travelling by air from the United States to Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica until March 31, 2021 or until the regulations regarding this new requirement change. We strongly encourage guests to schedule their appointment upon arrival to the property through our Guest Services team since there are currently many requests for this procedure. Test results will be available the same day and will be delivered to the guest’s room or available at the Front Desk.

For those guests arriving to Saint Lucia and Antigua, the viral antigen testing is available on property at an extra cost of $150 - $200. Note that the results in Antigua take up to 72 hours to be delivered. For guests arriving to Costa Rica, please note the Ministry of Health has not approved the viral antigen test yet, but PCR tests are available upon appointment at the property at a cost of $150 USD and results are available after 36-48h.

 

All-In Medical Assistance

Thanks to our partnership with MAS Servicios, all guests arriving from the US can now benefit from an extended medical assistance coverage to cover the cost of any accidents or illness, including COVID-19 related medical needs while on vacation. Coverage can be shared by up to four travelers and includes, but is not limited to, medical assistance for accidents, outpatient medication, emergency medical transportation, assistance with locating lost or stolen luggage, 24-hour legal assistance, travel disruption, hotel expenses for convalescence and more. Click here to learn more and register.

 

Disclaimer: COVID-19 viral testing is a third-party service provided by a certified local lab in alliance with our in-house doctors. Blue Diamond Resorts will not accept responsibility for any disputes related to

the use of this service. The use of this service is at the complete discretion of the guest and guests will always have the option to visit any local clinic to take the test on their own.

The safety of our guests and employees are our priority and it is our promise that we will continue to share up to date information as it becomes available. To learn more about our Safety-Assured Vacations protocols and download the complete guide, please click here.

 

Kind Regards,

Blue Diamond Resorts

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Free on-site COVID viral tests at Blue Diamond Resorts Properties

Keeping our promise to provide Safety-Assured Vacations to our valued guests, and following the recent guidelines by the CDC requiring all air travelers returning to the US to present a negative COVID-19 test, we are happy to announce that Blue Diamond Resorts has implemented several important measures at their properties. As of January 26, 2021, Blue Diamond Resorts will offer to US travelers free on-site COVID-19 viral tests and free Medical Assistance coverage to cover the cost of any accidents or illness, including COVID-19 related medical needs.

 

TESTING

Will COVID viral testing be available on site?

Yes. From now on, viral tests are available at Blue Diamond Resorts properties in Mexico, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Antigua and Saint Lucia. This procedure will be carried out by medical professionals on site in a designated area of the resort.

 

How can guests book an appointment?

In order to schedule an appointment with the doctor, please contact the onsite Guest Services team. We strongly encourage guests to schedule their appointment upon arrival to the hotel to ensure they can reserve a time for testing prior to departure.

What is the cost COVID viral tests? Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica

The COVID viral test will be offered free of charge in Cancun, Punta Cana and Jamaica for bookings of

minimum 4-night stays for guests travelling by air from the United States until March 31, 2021 or until the regulations regarding this new requirement change.

 

St. Lucia and Antigua

For those guests arriving to Saint Lucia and Antigua, the viral antigen testing is available at an extra cost.

Costa Rica

For guests arriving to Costa Rica, please note that the Ministry of Health has not approved the viral antigen test yet, but PCR tests are available upon appointment at the property at a cost of $150 USD and results are available after 36-48 hours.

If customers from other countries, where the viral test is not a mandatory legal requirement, wish to have either an antigen viral test or a PCR test, we are happy to coordinate the service through our Guest Services team with the below rates:

 

 

How will customers get the results?

Results will be available according to timings mentioned in the above chart and will be sent by e-mail, delivered to their room or available at Front Desk according to type of test and destination.

What is the minimum age to take the test?

According to official information from the CDC, the viral test must be taken by children of 2 years + and adults. For Canadian travelers, the PCR test must be taken by children 5 years + and adults. In both cases, the traveler must present the negative COVID test result as a requirement to re-enter their country.

 

What happens if the test does not come back on time?

It is the responsibility of guests to book a test appointment in time for test results to be delivered prior to departure. COVID-19 testing is a third-party service provided by our trusted hospital partners in destination

• Hospiten, and the service must be considered an agreement between the guest and the provider. Blue Diamond Resorts will not accept responsibility for any disputes related to the use of this service. The use of this service is at the complete discretion of the guest and guests will always have the option to visit any local clinic to take the test on their own.

If rapid antigen test is positive, is there time to carry out a PCR test to ensure the accuracy of the test to potentially avoid the 14-day quarantine in a hotel room due to a higher false positive rate?

This will depend on the circumstances of each customer as timing might vary according to destination. If clients want to take a PCR test, the guest services team at the properties can arrange an appointment at the closest clinic/lab according to availabilities, but keep in mind the results can take up to 3 days and fees will be paid by the guest, not the hotel.

What assurance do I have the test I am receiving is accepted by US authorities?

According to the CDC guidelines, the test that is required is the viral test (antigen test) which is the one being offered for free for all US returning guests. The Viral (Antigen test) that is being administered by our providers at destination will be in compliance and accepted for entry in the United States.

POSITIVE RESULTS

 

What happens if a guest does test positive for COVID-19?

If any of our guests test positive for COVID-19, we have established very strict protocols to ensure the health and safety of other guests and employees. This protocol establishes all points around COVID suspected cases:

• • Where guests will be quarantined
  • What instructions they must follow during their stay
  • How we will assess their health status
  • How to provide them food and care for a relaxing and enjoyable stay
  • How to manage and treat all the linen, dishes, everything they would use during their stay

 

However, take into consideration that specific national protocols and regulations might vary according to the destination.

 

Is there a special rate in case customers need to stay at the property due to positive COVID viral test? Eligible guests that have registered for All-In Medical Assistance coverage, will have hotel expenses for convalescence covered for up to $100 USD per night for 15 days and 14 nights.

Moreover, we have also put in place a special rate for any guest that tests positive and one companion in case they need to stay longer in destination.