The Christmas Season this year is a far cry from that of former years. It is usually a joyous time for many of our people especially in more prosperous times but, at this season, a large number of our people are not only broke, but penniless. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, in March this year, led the lockdown of Anguilla, the closing of our borders and hotels.
As an unfortunate consequence, hundreds of our hotel workers found themselves out of work. Today, even with the phased reopening of some of our properties, in November, as well as that of others this month, December, the employees are still not making the money they were accustomed to taking home. The financial relief provided by both the Social Security Board and the Government of Anguilla, has been extremely low – and therefore unable to meet the living standards of the recipients and their families. For them, and others, it is not a bright Christmas. It is in fact a brown Christmas with little food on the tables. Despite this situation, many of our people have shown a spirit of resilience and there are Christmas lights and other seasonal decorations in various parts of Anguilla.
The Government itself is cash-strapped and has had a lot of difficulty putting together its Medium Term Economic and Fiscal Plan, as well as the 2021 Budget. It was arranged for the budget to be presented on Friday, this week, December 18; to be debated on December 29 and 30 and then to be approved by the United Kingdom Government. Luckily for the Government, it has just entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the new ownership of CuisinArt Golf Resort& Spa.
This MOU has some short-term as well as long-term benefits for Anguilla and its people. According to Premier Dr. Ellis Webster, the Government will receive 13 million East Caribbean dollars in terms of stamp duty and alien-landholding fees. This is regarded as what is commonly called “Windfall money” (money that was not previously expected or budgeted for.) It means that Government has some funds at its disposal to fill some gap or gaps, and it is hoped that this will be of significant assistance, notwithstanding the high cost to pay for the public services.
The generally dull financial situation at this Christmas Season will spill over into the New Year. Things do not look very good for us in 2021, with the Covid-19 pandemic still a very real challenge to our social and economic wellbeing. The tourism industry is far from recovery and there is really no money in circulation from this source. We can only hope for the very best – and that the virus will continue to be kept under such stringent control that it does not spread into our community, causing us great concern and misfortune.
Despite all of this, we are a resilient people and have the hope that we will surmount all the negatives that are now assailing us – and will continue to do so in the coming year. And, with this hope, we take this opportunity to wish all our people, at home and in the Diaspora, the very best for Christmas 2020 and the New Year, 2021.
But, on reflection, what a Christmas 2020 we are experiencing!
