Anguillians have long been categorised as a resilient people, overcoming challenge after challenge and, in the final analysis, winning much acclamation and respect across the Caribbean, and the rest of the world, for their bravery and spirit of determination against all odds.
One only has to read up about our chequered history of battles against the 17th and 18th century French and other invading forces; the battle for separation from St. Kitts, since Anguilla’s unpopular union with that former sister island in 1825, culminating in what we now know as the 1967 Revolution – which we have just celebrated; the challenges of drought and famine in the 1800s; the devastation by repetitive hurricanes, not to mention the probable mother and costliest of them –Irma – in September 2017; and now the COVID-19 pandemic which, thankfully, we are overcoming after many sacrifices, loss of economic growth, jobs and millions of much-needed money. The fact that we have overcome the recent cluster of the virus, within of our villages, thus avoiding community spread, with the present position being zero from 78 cases, is reason for much rejoicing. It is a noble feat for our watchful Healthcare Team and the Government both of which deserve sincere commendation and gratitude.
As we relax some of our restrictive protocols, welcome returning residents and visitors, and prepare for the eventual, but guarded full reopening of our borders, it is a most heart-warming experience and hope of recovery for all of us. During the Government’s press conference on Tuesday, June 1, the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Economic Development, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, reported that since the launch of the island’s COVID portal on May 19, and the reopening of the borders, approximately 2,360 tourists had applied to come to Anguilla. Of that number, some 700 applications had been successfully processed. She further stated that over the US Memorial Day Holiday weekend there were heightened tourist arrivals in Anguilla – a trend which is likely to continue well into July.
It is expected, with the continuing relaxation of our protocols, the growing number of vaccinations, to meet our 12,000-plus target, the current assumed absence of the COVID virus in Anguilla, and the opening of our world-class hotels and villas, that there will be a significant influx of visitors to our shores. The arrival of Silver Airways, at our just improved international airport runway, on Thursday, June 3, certainly offers much hope of more tourists accessing Anguilla via the San Juan, Puerto Rico, gateway. We can only trust that further travel opportunities for tourists to our island will open up – and eventually that some direct flights, from the US mainland, other than the customary executive jets, will be possible. It is our sincere belief that, in the not-too-distant future, we will clearly see a light at the end of the tunnel as we overcome our challenges to remain COVID-free, revive our economy and find employment in all sectors of our economy.
We cannot hide our delight to see that life is slowly, but surely, returning to normal in Anguilla with the reopening of schools for classroom education, the return of many employees to their places of work – and the reopening of our churches to larger congregations. In order for this to continue, we must ensure that our guard is not let down and that we are not resting on our laurels in a state of complacency or even carelessness. That would not be good after working so hard to protect Anguilla and our people – notwithstanding the indifferent and the critics among us.
We all need to take the bull by its horns, so to speak, and summon our spirit of resilience and determination. Above all, we must call on God to save us from every calamity and distress. We are transitioning from a challenging period of COVID-19 to the feared impending 2021 hurricane season. If we don’t pray for our safety, and give thanks for our protection – each day – we will be making a big mistake given our experiences of the past.
