Updated April 3, 2020
Ensuring the health and wellness of Lake Junaluska staff, guests and community members is always one of our highest priorities. The recent discovery and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has created a tremendous amount of media coverage and concern throughout the United States. Since the emergence of this situation, Lake Junaluska leadership has taken a proactive approach and is prepared to act swiftly should we be alerted to a case of coronavirus at one of our properties. We wanted to update you on the actions we are taking in response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Lake Junaluska has implemented a five step plan in response to a potential outbreak of the Coronavirus:
1. Communication – Lake Junaluska is providing updates to be shared with guests, group meeting planners and the community.
2. Sanitation – Lake Junaluska already follows strong sanitation standards and has heightened our stringent practices around food handling, sanitation, disinfection and cleaning.
3. A Continuity of Operations Plan has been created to ensure that staff are cross-trained on essential functions and when appropriate, enabling staff to work remotely.
4. Remain Calm – For over 100 years, Lake Junaluska has thrived because of our ability to identify areas of concern, react quickly, and address issues to create a safe and enjoyable environment for our staff, community and guests and we will continue to do so.
5. Move Forward - Lake Junaluska staff will continue to focus on fulfillment of our mission. To date, there have been no changes made to our summer events’ schedule.
We are paying close attention to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) daily reporting, as well as monitoring other federal, state and local agency guidelines, and reviewing protocol as it specifically pertains to the hospitality industry and communities so that we may continue to create the safest possible environment for all at Lake Junaluska.
Given the unique circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we are committed to providing our guests the flexibility to move all reservations for stays between March 12, 2020, and April 30, 2020, to another date within the 2020 calendar year.
Contact Reservations at 828-222-4930 or email reservations@lakejunaluska.com.
Guests who booked via online travel agents or other third party travel professionals are advised to contact their booking provider for information on their policies and for assistance.
We will work with groups to manage any needed calendar changes on a case-by-case basis. Our Group Sales staff are actively supporting our guests to address the needs of each group, including moving event dates to another time in the 2020 calendar year.
Contact Group Sales at 828-454-6650.
Open to the Public
The Lake Junaluska Walking Trail and outdoor gardens remain open. The public restrooms are closed. Walkers are asked to walk in a clockwise direction around the lake and maintain 6 feet of distance from other people. For more information, as well as map of shorter, alternate routes to the 2.3-mile loop can be found on the Walking Trail page.
The Lake Junaluska Golf Course remains open and is implementing additional sanitation and safety measures. (See below.)
Even in these times of isolation, Lake Junaluska continues to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body. We are now opening Memorial Chapel daily from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for those who seek a sacred place for prayer and meditation. In keeping with CDC guidelines, no more than ten people should use the Chapel at one time. We also request that you maintain the recommended six feet of distancing from each other. Lake Junaluska staff will ensure that the Chapel is properly sanitized daily.
Closed to the Public
In accordance with recent Executive Orders issued by Governor Roy Cooper, as well as CDC guidelines, the following facilities are currently closed to public access:
Call 828-452-2881 with any questions.
April 11 - The Friends of the Lake 5K Road Race, Walk & Kids Fun Run scheduled for Saturday, April 11, has been postponed to Labor Day, which is Monday, September 7. Early bird registration has been extended to Thursday, August 20.
April 11 - The Easter Egg hunts will not be held. Easter eggs were donated to organizations that serve children and senior adults.
April 12 - The Easter Sunrise Service will be online only. A livestream of sunrise at the Lake Junaluska Cross will start at 6:45 a.m. Sunday, April 12, on www.facebook.com/lakejunaluska. Video of a pre-recorded Easter service will be shared also on www.facebook.com/lakejunaluska on Lake Junaluska's Easter page.
April 12 - The Easter breakfast and lunch buffets will not be held. Instead, the curbside to-go meals from The Terrace available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will feature an Easter-themed meal on Friday, April 10. Orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, April 9. For more information, call 828-454-6661.
The Lake Junaluska Golf Course is open. To protect staff and golfers and ensure continued social distancing, the course has implemented the following practices and procedures:
Ken Howle, executive director of Lake Junaluska, shared a video message about turning on the lights of the Lake Junaluska Cross day and night as a beacon of enduring light and hope, and expressing gratitude for the generous support of Lake Junaluska.
The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind and body.