The Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Economic Development, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs Marie, said that while looking at the financial and economic state of affairs in Anguilla, it was necessary to consider the role played by Covid-19 in tourism, the island’s main industry.
She went on: “The industry is known for its high-touch characteristics. So you hug, shake hands and interact with persons of different destinations and experiences – thus it is a high-touch industry. And it had a significant impact on us due to our border closures. [But] we are faced with the realities that we cannot remain closed forever. However, we cannot accept risks that we cannot manage – so that requires a significant balancing effort.
“Subsequently, we adopted a phased reopening approach. We are currently in phase one. The measures include, but are not limited to, the following: online pre-authorised entry; tests prior to arrival; tests upon arrival; and tests after staying in place – staying in place for ten to fourteen days, depending on the country of origin be it categorised as high or low risk; an entry fee of 1,000 -1,500 US dollars for persons under three months. Digital work- permits also form a key part of phase one to facilitate persons wishing to live and work remotely in Anguilla. This phase will be an exciting step towards our reopening.
“As we look forward to phase two, I wish to share with you these measures which have not yet been approved by Executive Council. They are therefore proposed and not confirmed measures. The phase two proposed protocols, commencing on November 1st, include, but are not limited to: online pre-authorised entry (with a revision of entry fees); testing prior to arrival; testing upon arrival; testing at the end of your stay [after quarantine] as in phase one. It is proposed to include vacation bubbles. This concept is proposed to encourage on property activities and diving. If you are staying at a particular hotel, you will not leave there prior to exiting the quarantine period. There will be activities available on that property, as well as food and beach activity, but subjected to protocol approval by the Ministry of Health.
“Long-term stays will also form part of phase two and will include the furthering of our digital work permit initiative. Each property, similar to phase one, will be required to present protocols outlining, amongst other things, how they will protect their employees, thus reducing the risks of community spread; the creation of a Covid-19 response team; and how they will handle a possible case. Every employee is to receive training prior to commencing work.”
The Parliamentary Secretary touched on what are regarded as some sensitive issues. “I understand that there will be persons who are skeptical about the reopening process,” she stated. “Perhaps the first question is: what is the difference between phase one and two? Why are we moving forward to accepting more risks on November 1st versus now? The answer is, as it has always been: capacity. By this reopening, we will have more persons on board in the Ministry of Health; and this will better position the Ministry to carry out its surveillance testing and monitoring protocols.”
Mrs. Gumbs-Marie added: “Our efforts are not meant to sound as if we are in desperate times, or taking a desperate measures approach. In fact, we believe in exactly the opposite.”
