The health and safety of our guests is our #1 priority. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we think it is important that you understand our efforts to manage your health and safety so that you can make an informed choice. We are focused on taking all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We have strengthened our standard cleaning procedures, while adding increased frequency measures for things such as wiping down common touchpoints, the Water’s Edge Dining Room, and activity equipment. We will implement a pre-arrival health screening tool so that symptomatic staff or guests know to stay home, as well as protocols to isolate, confirm, respond, and remove any guest or staff with suspected COVID-19 at Sandy Cove. Staff will be taking regular temperature checks as well. You can view the complete list of measures we’re taking by scrolling down this page.
This situation continues to change daily, and as such, we will adapt and adjust our protocols and procedures as we follow the guidance provided by the CDC and local health departments in our efforts to help keep our guests and staff safe. You and/or your family will be asked to follow all current state and local regulations as long as they are in place.
Parents are responsible for their children’s compliance with these regulations and therefore, children need to be with one or both parents at all times. The current regulations require the wearing of masks for all people over 9 years of age (with “reasonable efforts” for ages 2-9 to wear masks as well) while indoors in common areas and the maintaining of physical distancing both indoors and outdoors.
Ultimately, the choice for you and/or your family to come to Sandy Cove is a personal one, and you are in control. If you are uncomfortable for any reason with these things, unable to participate in any of the expectations we are asking of the community, or fall into a “high risk” category relative to COVID-19, we ask that you wait to attend until a time when fewer restrictions may be required.
Following are several commitments Sandy Cove will make for the health and safety of you and/or your family:
We will clean and disinfect luggage carts as often as possible during check-in and check-out. In addition, a station with disinfecting wipes, much like you see in grocery stores, will be located in the front lobby so you can wipe down your luggage cart should you choose to do so.
At the registration desk, you will find our attendants wearing masks and gloves and standing behind safety shields for additional protection from any airborne particulates. The check-in process has been made as touch-free as possible. All room keys will be UV sanitized after they are programmed for your room. All packets and other information will be UV sanitized prior to being handed to you. Yellow tape on the floor will mark the appropriate physical distance for other guests waiting in line.
When you get to your room, rest assured that everything in it has been cleaned and disinfected using the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the American Hotel and Lodging Association. We are using EPA registered cleaners meeting the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. High-touch surfaces will be disinfected twice during the cleaning process.
All guest room sheets, blankets, and towels are laundered in-house, using professional cleaning equipment, commercial laundry detergent, and bleach to disinfect.
To keep your room as germ free as possible, we will not be performing daily tidies during your stay. You should have enough toilet paper and other amenities for the number of days you are registered. Trash and soiled linens you would like removed from your room may be placed outside your door after breakfast each morning. Our floating housekeepers will take care of removing those items. Should you need a housekeeper to enter your room, they will be wearing a mask and gloves for health and safety reasons. We ask that our staff be given a courteous safe-distancing opportunity during their service call for safety reasons. Should you need any extra items during your stay, please contact the front desk by dialing “0”.
Our team of maintenance professionals will be required to wear a mask and gloves prior to entering any guest room. We will continue to respond to all maintenance requests in a prioritized manner. We ask that our staff be given a courteous safe-distancing opportunity during their service call for safety reasons.
Common areas throughout all of our buildings will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected twice daily. Couches have been removed and other furniture set up to help maintain safe distancing for all guests. We ask that you please refrain from moving any furniture in common areas.
Public restrooms are available on each floor of the main building and will be fully cleaned and disinfected twice daily. High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day. Restrooms will be stocked with plenty of antibacterial soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Disinfecting wipes and toilet seat protectors will also be available in each public restroom. Please DO NOT FLUSH the disinfecting wipes.
Hand sanitizer and wipes stations will be placed strategically throughout the property in order to help you keep your hands and personal items cleaned and disinfected. While these will be available for your use at any time, please be reminded that the CDC recommends proper hand washing with soap and hot water for 30 seconds over the use of hand sanitizer.
Food preparation continues to follow or exceed all Maryland health department regulations. Our food service team is cleaning high-traffic areas, workstations, and equipment more than required using CDC and EPA approved food-grade cleaner and sanitizer. All food service staff are required to wash their hands and change their gloves between each task or every fifteen minutes when doing the same task. They must also wear face masks at all times. In addition to these regulations, we are requiring all vendors to wear face masks and gloves while making deliveries and our team is sanitizing packaging as items are moved to storage.
Current regulations require all food to be served as takeout. Food may be consumed in guest rooms, common areas, and outdoors as long as you maintain appropriate distancing from those outside your family, group, or room. We will have trash receptacles available throughout the property. We ask that you help us keep things clean by disposing of food and packaging in the trash receptacles.
We are happy to accommodate special diets including gluten-free, low-sodium, low-sugar and basic vegetarian. You are welcome to bring your own food if you have more restrictive needs.
The Snack Shop will be CLOSED this summer. In lieu of the Snack Shop, we are working to have a small variety of options, including ice cream, available for purchase for short periods in the afternoon and evening. These snacks will be prepared under the same rigorous guidelines followed in the main kitchen and staff will be required to wear gloves and masks as well as wash their hands every fifteen minutes.
As always, our Front Desk has a variety of candy and snacks available and our drink vending machines will be stocked.
Complimentary coffee will continue to be available 24 hours each day at the Front Desk. While the coffee is self-service, cups, stirrers, creamer, and sugar will be kept behind the Front Desk. The coffee machine will be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.
We believe that enjoying the outdoors helps you stay healthier and happier. Outdoor activities, when available, will be made as safe as possible. Adventure activities will continue to have age limits and require waivers. Shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected between each use.
Unstaffed outdoor activities such as disc golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis will also be available. Equipment for these activities can be signed out from a central location. These items will be cleaned and disinfected each time they are returned. If you would prefer not to use shared equipment, you are welcome to bring your own.
Our marina will be open and canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, etc. will be available for use, weather permitting. All life jackets and paddles will be cleaned and disinfected between each guest use. If you would prefer not to use shared equipment, you may also bring your own United States Coast Guard approved Type II or Type III life jackets.
The Sandy Cove staff is already highly trained to provide you the best experience possible. In addition to our standard training, all staff will be trained in the new protocols for cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and shared equipment. Temperature and symptom checks will be required of all staff before they may begin their daily work. Staff will wear face masks when working indoors except in the privacy of their personal offices. Outdoor staff such as lifeguards and activity staff will also wear masks when guests are present. Staff will also wear gloves as appropriate.
