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The reopening of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands this week has seen the integrated resort adopt a highly measured approach to operations mindful of the threat still posed by Coronavirus.

Reopening its ArtScience Museum, casino, SkyPark Observation Deck and Sands Rewards Club from 1^st July, after nearly three months of closure due to the COVID-19 crisis, Marina Bay Sands is looking to “redraw the hospitality experience” through adherence to new safety management measures.

The expanded reopening follows the opening of the integrated resort’s restaurants and retail areas last month.

Explaining the resumption of operations, Marina Bay Sands’ Senior Vice President of Resort Operations, Paul Town advised “even though we have earlier restarted some of our operations, we continue to adopt a cautious and measured approach as we re-open more of our facilities and limit access at this initial stage.

“Restrictions may be progressively eased as the overall COVID-19 situation improves. Our aim is to re-open with a fresh suite of experiences and safeguards in place to instil a greater sense of comfort and reassurance as we begin to welcome back our guests.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, preparations have been underway to boost business resiliency and enhance public health standards. Some 40 taskforces were convened during the resort’s suspension to adapt business operations, from transforming venue set-ups to redesigning service delivery and exploring technology and innovation.

Keeping safety and hygiene at the forefront, Marina Bay Sands achieved the SG Clean quality mark in April after a rigorous certification process.

The certification is awarded by the Singapore Government to businesses and organisations that commit to sector-specific high standards of environmental public hygiene on their premises. The IR is also working on an international health and safety standards label developed by Bureau Veritas, a nearly 200-year-old world leader in testing, inspection and certification.

To ensure a seamless transition into the ‘new normal’, the integrated resort has been educating and training staff, appointing new ambassadors and champions of the enhanced measures and processes. Around 800 staff have been trained to be Safe Distancing Ambassadors to remind guests of safe distancing measures. Another 250 staff, who have been appointed as Safe Management Officers, will implement and ensure safe management measures are adhered to by the resort’s workforce.

As business resumes gradually, precautionary measures will be reviewed and updated accordingly, taking guidance from the relevant authorities.

Town added “the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the hospitality landscape across the world, bringing new complexity to the industry. But it has also given us opportunities to take stock, redesign and innovate our operational processes so that we may continue delivering the high levels of hospitality that we are well known for. The many new measures and processes that we have put in place will be under constant review and re-evaluation, and we will be nimble as the situation evolves to make adjustments in accordance with government advisories and guidelines. The guest experience will always be at the core of what we do, and we will continue to create unforgettable memories for everyone we connect with.”

When entering the property, guests will go through the MBS SafeEntry system, a proprietary entry system that incorporates both loyalty membership requirements as well as the national SafeEntry digital log-in system for contact tracing. This system allows for an additional layer of crowd control and active capacity management, in addition to supporting the Government’s objective of contact tracing. Temperature screening will be activated at entrances, and individuals will be declined entry if they display a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and above.

Guests are reminded to wear their masks at all times, and to observe safe distancing markers denoting the one-metre physical separation placed at common areas where queues may form, including lift lobbies, toilet entrances, kiosks and concierge desks.

Images:  Marina Bay Sands is looking to “redraw the hospitality experience” through adherence to new safety management measures.

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