Continuing the Club’s Covid Practices
Over the past year and a half, safeguarding the community for Members, guests and Associates has been the Club’s number one priority. We feel fortunate that since the onset of the pandemic,
the Club has not seen any significant surge in positive cases.
When the pandemic first began, the Club’s first priority was to create as many outdoor eating venues and experiences as necessary to accommodate Members. This included expanding Raw Bar tiki hut and patio seating, increasing outdoor covered seats at Reef Hut, converting Gianni terrace for dining, and developing the well-received Town Hall Waterside concept. Secondly, Club management shifted to implementing a training program focused on mask wearing, social distancing, virtual events, testing and expanded sanitization practices, many of which are still in effect today.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Club management’s focus has been how to keep our facilities open for Members and their families to enjoy, while keeping Coronavirus safety top of mind,” said Alex Tonarelli, Club President. “Our safety practices – like cleaning protocols, hand sanitizer availability, Club-wide disinfecting on a nightly basis have remained in place since March 2020. In fact, we’ve implemented additional safeguards over the summer, like the installation of AirPHX purifying machines in all high volume Club Member and Associate venues.”
The Club is also extremely fortunate to have an on-staff nurse for our Associates to provide expertise, COVID testing and tracing, and manage any Associate COVID cases. In the case of a positive test result, stringent protocols have been in place to avoid further spread. As a further preventative measure, all seasonal employees living in Associate Housing continue to be tested upon arrival.
Once vaccines became available, Club Management shifted its focus to promoting vaccinations among Associates. Through an education campaign, and with the Medical Center’s partnership, 400 of our Associates received vaccines before the start of summer – with more getting vaccinated outside of the gates in their home communities.
During the summer, the Club continued its Associate vaccination campaign by offering more educational sessions via Zoom, including one with a Baptist Health pulmonologist, and the introduction of a vaccine incentive program that has proven very successful. More and more Associates continue to get vaccinated each week.
In an effort to provide an extra layer of safety for the community, Club Management also revised the mask policy in August prior to a busy Labor Day weekend. A decision was made that all Associates not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks indoors and when unable to social distance.
“The Club continues to communicate closely with the Medical Center and at a minimum, follow recommended CDC, State and Monroe County guidelines. The health and safety of our Members and Associates remains the primary importance. Your Club Board and Management team will continue to adjust our policies as needed to ensure a fun, yet safe season at Ocean Reef Club,” said Ray Larkin, Ocean Reef Club Chairman.