Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville thanked Baha Mar owners of Meliá Nassau Beach resort for use of the property as a COVID-19 vaccination and testing site.

Calling the owners “awesome corporate partners,” the minister also thanked them for the “gift of love” of the hotel property on Cable Beach as a mitigating measure against the COVID pandemic.

The Minister paid a visit to Melia on Friday, January 28, 2022 -- the last day of use as a vaccination and testing centre after over two years.

Meliá had closed in February 2021 to undergo $100 million renovation. Meanwhile portions of it were used as a centre to facilitate health care workers and other volunteers in the vaccination rollout exercise, and testing for the COVID-19 virus.

More than 20,000 doses of vaccines have been given to individuals at the site. In light of this, the minister underscored the importance of Public Private Partnerships: “Corporate Bahamas plays an integral role in the vaccination and testing efforts,” said the minister. “Public Private Partnership also plays a role in the education process that vaccines save lives and we want to continue this effort.”

The minister said it is a goal of the country, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness, to have at least 90 percent of the population vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. He acknowledged that the number of cases seems to be trending downwards, and the ministry is grateful that Bahamians are practicing safe protocol measures.

“Mitigation is important in fighting COVID,” he said, while thanking health care professionals in this effort.

Observing that the number of COVID cases is trending downward globally, the minster said The Bahamas remains optimistic as well, particularly as schools reopened in hybrid fashion.

Robert “Sandy” Sands, the Senior Executive Vice-President at Baha Mar, said the resort was “a willing partner” in the fight against COVID-19. He noted that there is a 70 percent rate of vaccination among Baha Mar’s associates.

“Community (effort) is one of the pillars of our foundation and it was an honour and privilege to participate,” he said.

Volunteers comprised members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Rotary Bahamas, corporate citizens, and others.