Employees at Sandals Emerald Bay Great Exuma will not be laid off or made redundant because of the resort's temporary closure until December 15 for repairs due to damage incurred by Hurricane Matthew, according to resort General Manager Jeremy Mutton.

Mutton told Guardian Business that the majority of employees would be redeployed to Nassau to assist with hurricane cleanup and the October 25 reopening of Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. He said a fair number of employees were reallocated to the electrical and engineering departments at the Exuma resort to assist with cleanup efforts.

However, Mutton said it was "inevitable" that a small number of employees would be left with nothing to do until the resort reopens in December.

In the interim, Mutton said that those persons are receiving a stipend until they are called back on November 21, prior to the December opening.

Mutton said the Emerald Bay resort is the "anchor" for the economy of Exuma.

"Naturally, there is a significant impact as far as the economy is concerned on the island of Exuma." He contended, however, that the temporary closure was a "necessity" and not necessarily a "choice" for the resort in order to reopen on time for the busy winter season.

There are over 100 construction workers onsite at Emerald Bay, some of whom are local residents of Exuma and some from New Providence, said Mutton.

Mutton said he could not give an estimated cost of the resort's damage.

In addition to repairs, the resort is using the time to construct four additional restaurants and upgrade certain facilitates at its Exuma location, he said.

"We did sustain some significant structural damage in that it would have been difficult and intrusive to maintain guests here and continue the resort operation in what we really needed to do," said Mutton.

He added, "They (structural engineers and quantity surveyors) really thought it best and wise for us to close for a short period of time so that we could do the work and also facilitate the work in a very quick manner, because we are mindful that the busy winter season is just around the corner as well."

In terms of guest services, a Sandal's statement said, "We recognize the inconvenience this presents but we are committed to delivering the quality Sandals experience our guests expect and deserve. When we reopen, it will be right."

All air penalties and fees would be covered by Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI) - an affiliate of Unique Travel Corporation, worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts - for revisions made by October 31, 2016.

"Fees incurred after that date will be the responsibility of the guest," according to CEO of UVI Tammy Gonzalez.

Xian Smith, Guardian Business Reporter

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian