LONGBOAT KEY – The Resort at Longboat Key Club is dealing with an individual’s potential exposure to the coronavirus virus (COVID-19).
On Friday, March 13, Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage addressed this matter in the resort’s weekly newsletter.
“It goes without saying that we are currently living through an extraordinary time and as many businesses throughout the world are being affected by the threat of COVID-19, we at the Longboat Key Club are also feeling the impact,” according to the March 13 newsletter signed by Konsavage.
“We have just been informed by our local hospital that an individual working in our outdoor golf facility at The Links course where a few of our members have private lessons may have been exposed to COVID-19. While this does not include Longboat Key Club staff currently, we are taking immediate actions including isolation to anyone having physical contact with this person. There may be some minor disruptions through this transition in our golf operations in the next two weeks,” the newsletter said.
“If there is anything that our Longboat Key team can do to assist you through this stressful and challenging time, please let us know. We wish you and your families the best of health,” the March 13 newsletter said in conclusion.
March 14 update
On Saturday, March 14, Konsavage and the Resort at Longboat Key Club distributed a written update referred to as a “communiqué.”
“The club has decided to implement the second stage of preventive measures for the protection of members and employees,” the March 14 communiqué said.
The March 14 communiqué said the club is implementing the following measures on or before March 16 and all activities and suspended activities will be reevaluated on March 30.
According to the March 14 communiqué, the suspended activities include:
- Suspension of fitness center operation and wellness activities such as yoga, etc.;
- A complete deep cleaning and sanitation process will be implemented in the facility, including all studios, locker rooms and equipment to be fully sanitized and disinfected;
- All group activities and meetings are suspended for two weeks;
- All group lessons in tennis, golf and wellness are suspended for two weeks;
- There will be no buffets at any outlets in our club or resort for two weeks.
The March 14 communiqué went on to say: “For the safety or our club members, we request:
- No access to the Club for members and immediate household family and registered caregivers within 14 days of returning from any country that self-isolation or quarantine is required by the U.S. Government;
- No access to the Club for any member and/or immediate household family and registered caregiver if exhibiting the following symptoms that could be COVID-19: shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fever, cough, muscle aches and tiredness;
- No access to the Club for any member and/or immediate household family and registered caregiver if they have knowledge of being exposed to an individual or individuals diagnosed with COVID-19.”
The March 14 communiqué stated all magazines and newspapers were being removed from the Club due to the difficulty of sanitizing those items.
“The club has suspended any handshakes or physical touch until further notice,” the communiqué said.
“Employees in designated departments are wearing gloves for their personal protection,” it also said.
The communiqué said the Club will continue to monitor the information, recommendations and restrictions through the CDC and the Florida Department of Health.
“By working together, we will do our best in providing a healthy and safe environment for all,” Konsavage’s March 14 communiqué said in conclusion.
The Sun’s efforts to reach resort officials directly by telephone and social media proved unsuccessful. Phone calls transferred to the resort’s executive office resulted only in the ability to leave a voice mail. Efforts to contact the resort via Facebook Messenger produced an automated response unrelated to the potential coronavirus exposure.
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