More Caribbean nations are set to reopen borders for tourism to start the economic recovery while taking a cautious approach to protect their own people from COVID-19.
According to the Caribbean Tourism Association, the region suffered a 60 percent decline in arrivals from January to June of this year, compared with 2019.
The U.S. Virgin Islands was the first to reopen their borders on June 1, allowing international visitors flying from the United States to enter the territory. However, due to surge in COVID-19 cases, the USVI has shut down borders in August and resumed welcoming back visitors last September.
Belize reopens
Belize reopened Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) for international leisure travel last Thursday, October 1 2020.
The country has introduced a Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Programme and tourism safe corridor.
The Gold Standard Recognition Programme aims to certify accommodations and tour operators that have adopted new behaviors and health and safety procedures while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. A safe corridor is also in place to minimize the interaction between tourists and the local community to curb the spread of COVID-19.
International travelers must have approved Gold Standard accommodations reserved before they can enter Belize.
“We need to think of our citizens as well, and these new measures protect them while also setting the stage for the safe return of international travelers to enjoy the Belizean experience and support our tourism industry,” said Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism.
All inbound guests must also take a COVID-19 PCR test and upload the relevant information to the Belize Health App and their PCR test results will be verified upon arrival.
Guyana set to reopen in two weeks
The Guyana government says it will re-open the country’s borders to international traffic from October 12 even as it also announced an extension of the seven-hour curfew to the end of the month.
According to the government Order which has been published, the curfew will now run from 9.00 pm to 4.00 am (local time) with special provisions remaining in place for Regions One, Seven, and Nine.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill said all stakeholders are working to recommence commercial flight operations at Guyana’s two international airports in the shortest possible time while assuring that measures in place to do so safely would be continuously evaluated as public health remains paramount.
“We want the airports opened as soon as is practical, ensuring compliance with the international guidelines set out by the Pan American Health Organization, WHO and international guidelines. We will follow all the protocols.”
St Kitts and Nevis to welcome tourists by month end
The St Kitts-Nevis government announced the full reopening of their borders to international flights and travelers by October 31.
Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris said that the reopening of the borders will not only facilitate the return of tourists but will also allow their own nationals and residents abroad the opportunity to return home to their families, their jobs and their communities in a more regular and predictable way.
In preparation for the opening, the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), in conjunction with the Ministry of Health (MOH), successfully conducted Phase 1 “Sensitization Training” and Phase 2 “Train the Trainers,” COVID-19 safety protocol workshops for all stakeholders on the island.
All stakeholders were awarded a certificate of completion, and all businesses will receive the St. Kitts and Nevis “Travel Approved Seal,” a validation that the establishment is safe to visit. This is a critical step in the overall preparation for reopening the island to international travelers.
The Federation has not yet released information about rules for travel when tourists arrive, all non-nationals are currently subject to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. (https://thecaribbeannewsnow.com/more-caribbean-nations-to-reopen-borders/)
