Covid-19 and the Caribbean
As global travel is slowly starting to re-emerge post Covid-19, the Caribbean Islands are doing their best to provide tourists with a safe vacation environment.
A Covid-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Force has been working since February to ensure member islands are ready to welcome guests back to a safe and healthy Caribbean. With leadership from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, over 400 industry stakeholders in the Caribbean have participated in a wide variety of sessions related to Covid-19 health & safety. Consistent with World Health Organization guidelines that we’re probably all familiar with by now, new guidelines covering operations, training and communication, have been rolled out to help businesses and workers re-establish confidence in the Caribbean tourism industry.
Caribbean tourism will be safe for both workers and vacationers with new protocols & procedures in-place focusing on re-organizing venues to accommodate physical distancing along with additional cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting regiments. These new protocols are being applied to businesses in the fields of Transportation, Accommodation (and Facilities), Food and Beverage as well as Entertainment and Recreation (Sites and Attractions). Inspections and certification of all businesses are being done prior to re-opening. For an example of physical distancing, hotel restaurants are restricting capacity and maximizing the use of outdoor venues over indoor settings wherever possible. Tables are spaced at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart and buffets are no longer self-serve, guests will be served by restaurant staff.
Caribbean Islands You Can Visit Now
As of July 20th 2020, the following Caribbean Destinations are welcoming tourist flights back to their fabulous islands. A summary of their Covid-19 situation is also shown:
Related Notes:
- The above list is based on commercial airline arrivals. Different rules exist for private yacht access…
- The Bahamas are currently only accepting visitors from Canada, the UK and EU
- Aruba is currently only accepting visitors from Canada, the UK, USA and Europe
- Bonaire is only allowing flights from the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany
- Jamaica is only allowing tourist movement along their “Resilient Corridor” – The coastline from Negril to Port Antonio
- Puerto Rico is accepting international flights, however officially they are “postponing its official inbound tourism reopening in order to safeguard visitors and residents”
- The Dominican Republic is also open to tourists, however they have experienced >50k Covid-19 cases in total, with >9k new cases in the past week
Other Things to Know
Again, consistent with the WHO Covid-19 guidelines, each island has implemented new protocols for tourists to follow before and during their visit to the Caribbean. All islands are requiring some form of Travel Authorization form to be completed prior to travelling. Most islands now require a valid Covid-19 PCR Test Report (with a ‘negative result’) to be provided to Island authorities upon arrival. Actually, some islands are currently requesting citizens of ‘High Risk’ Countries (and specific US States) to provide test results prior to travelling. Some island nations are allowing tests to be performed upon arrival, however if you are a citizen of a ‘High Risk’ Country/State you will be held at the airport until negative test results are obtained. In addition, Health Screening/Assessments, including temperature checks are being performed at most islands upon arrival. Proof of ‘Travel Insurance’ is also required now by many islands. Once on the island, physical distancing, mask-wearing, as well as increased personal hygiene regiments are mandatory in all public places. For watersports and beach activities where physical distancing requirements are met, face masks are not required.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE OFFICIAL CARIBBEAN ISLAND LINKS ABOVE TO DETERMINE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND RESTRICTIONS THAT EACH ISLAND CURRENTLY HAS IN EFFECT
Other considerations to be aware of as the Caribbean tourism gradually re-opens during the current Covid-19 situation: While most businesses on the above-listed islands have reopened, some off-resort restaurants are only open for takeaway and delivery service. Parks, attractions and tours are re-opening in phases as they are inspected and certified, therefore some may not be open at the time of your vacation. Some islands have also implemented evening curfews outside of resort properties.
You are advised to check into these details thoroughly before booking your trip…
Looking For a Recommendation?
Personally, if I was to travel now, I would choose a destination based on personal preference (reference Islands Overview and Caribbean Adventures for assistance), along with a look at each island’s latest Covid-19 numbers. Right now, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Curacao look appealing to me. I would stay at a small CTHAS (Caribbean Travel Health Assurance Stamp) approved resort, with individual cottages or villas and a large beach-front if possible. It is also prudent to have adequate Travel/Medical Insurance to cover a Covid-19 related incident while away from home. While I typically like to use local guides and/or small tour operators for excursions, right now I would only use certified ground transportation and well-established certified tour operators. I would also be booking reservations well in advance for just about everything, including Restaurants & Tours. Oh, and bring plenty of re-usable cloth face masks…
ACT Staff
