By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Paradise Island-based Ocean Club says it plans to remain open with "limited services" and has no intention of laying-off staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

John Conway, general manager of the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons resort, told Tribune Business the ultra high-end property was not following the closure trend set by other Bahamas-based properties.

"We don't talk about our staff, but we're still open," he added. "Obviously we are severely unoccupied compared to what it should be, but we are going to remain open on limited services. Obviously we are planning on getting through this with our team and we look forward to better days ahead."

Many properties, such as Atlantis and Sandals, view mid-May as the earliest date for when they may re-open. Mr Conway added of the Ocean Club's likely bookings for this period: "Again, at this point it is severely depressed, because right now we don't look that far out when it comes to coming back online, but it would be very low, probably sub ten percent.

"Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to how soon we are going to have treatment and a vaccine, and the fear of flying and travelling is going to go away."