SafeSeal Platinum plaque.
SafeSeal Gold plaque.
PHILIPSBURG--Consumers will now be able to easily identify which businesses in the country are adhering to strict cleanliness and hygiene guidelines to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, by looking to see whether they are displaying a SafeSeal on their premises.
The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), and occupational health expert company Medwork have launched the “SafeSeal – Clean Standard Seal Certification Programme” as their newest collaboration.
According to the partners, SafeSeal will become the immediately recognisable emblem for companies that are verified for their adherence to strict cleanliness and hygiene guidelines to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are two levels of certification: Gold and Platinum. Companies can choose which level they wish to aim for, and per department, specialised questionnaires and courses are available.
SafeSeal has been devised by medical and occupational safety professionals. The methods and practices have already been used to grant acknowledgment of the best COVID-19 prevention practices to 1,700 companies in the Caribbean.
For St. Maarten, the checklists per sector have been validated to align with and support, among others, the official St. Maarten government health and safety protocols and guidelines.
Specialised checklists have been devised for lodgings, restaurants, casinos, transportation services, and various other lines of business in the hospitality industry. Obtaining the seal is voluntary.
The SafeSeal serves as a visual recognition of a company’s commitment to the health and safety of its customers and employees and it will be used for digital promotions by St. Maarten Tourism Board and SHTA. By highlighting best-practice companies, the organisations wish to spread the word that St. Maarten is making its best effort to be a safe destination.
The seal acknowledges a high set of operational standards according to international and local guidelines, A 100-per-cent guarantee of prevention is not achievable, but this highlights a certain level of assurance that the entity has been adhering to the safety guidelines and standards, it was stated in a press release. The acquisition of the “SafeSeal” is also a powerful marketing tool for participating businesses and promotes a safe and healthy image of St. Maarten as a trusted tourist destination in the Caribbean.
The programme has been endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA, and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).
Additional information regarding the SafeSeal Programme can be obtained by visiting
shta.com/SafeSeal or by calling tel. 1-721-542-0108.
