On Monday April 19th, a special meeting was convened among officials from the Government of Anguilla and representatives from the local hospitality industry. These included hoteliers, hospitality managers, restaurateurs, car rental personnel, members of the Anguilla Hotel Association, and Anguilla Tourist Board officials.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss, primarily, the implications of Anguilla’s phased reopening relative to the island’s hospitality services and, in particular, the need to have hospitality workers vaccinated for the revival of Anguilla’s economy.
and Premier Dr Ellis Webster
Following addresses made by the Hon. Premier, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie and the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hadyn Hughes, a flurry of questions was posed by the floor on pertinent issues relative to vaccinations requirements.
Among the questions asked was: who is referred to as a “frontline worker”? The subject of frontline workers came to the fore because of government’s recent declaration that all frontline workers (technically meaning those employees at the front of the hotel, villa, etc.) must be vaccinated by May 1st. This was the dominant issue at the meeting, and it was concluded that the concept of frontline workers, as far as the hospitality sector is concerned, should include all workers of the sector, since all employees, directly or indirectly, have contact with guests at one time or another, even if they are not stationed in the front of the establishment.
Some of the hospitality reps complained that there were those in their employ who were somewhat resistant to taking the vaccination, because they felt like it was their right to choose whether or not they would take it.
The Hon. Premier, in his address to the gathering, spoke about the necessity of the vaccination programme, saying: “I know sometimes you may feel that we are too strict. But we are following recommendations by our health team… And, when Town and Country compliments us by writing about Anguilla saying that we have gotten it right so far, it is because we all have been working together.”
He was referring to the title of an article in Town and Country magazine carried in its March 2021 issue which read: “How the Little Island of Anguilla Did Pretty Much Everything Right With Its Covid Protocols.”
Premier Webster continued: “Now, we have come up with these ways that we can open up the country to get the economy as near normal as possible. It is paramount that we protect the health of the people of Anguilla, while we try to get visitors to come to this beautiful island of ours so that we can put food on our table and send our children to school. Our goal is to increase the wellbeing of the people of Anguilla.
“However, all of this is contingent on you being vaccinated. We must have a robust vaccination programme. Until we can control the chances that this COVID-19 can be imported and prevent from spreading through the population, then we really can’t do a whole lot for ours elves or the economy. I like the effort that you all are putting out in letting your employees know that this is important. I realise that you, yourselves, have taken on the responsibility of making sure that we can all get to that 70% and above immunity through vaccinations, but there needs to be more of a push because in your industry there is not enough of an uptake in this vaccination programme as there needs to be.”
He told the audience that he appreciates what they had done, so far, and encouraged them to continue their push in motivating their people to be vaccinated so that Anguilla would be protected while they work towards regaining the economy.
The Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, in presenting an update on the phased reopening of the tourism sector said: “It is a pleasure to be together with you all. From the beginning of our reopening to now, our constant communication and collaboration have guided us thus far. I am happy to be at this point where we can anticipate what the end of this road would look like.
“As you would know, as of last Monday, April 12th, quarantine time was shortened to seven days for those visitors who are fully vaccinated for a period of at least three weeks prior to arrival. On May 1st, spa gym and cosmetology services will begin. One of the major questions about these services is how will the attendants, themselves, know of a client’s vaccination status. We will be requiring guests who are fully vaccinated — for a three week period — to be wearing a yellow band. This band will indicate that the person has been vaccinated even though they would be in the seven-day quarantine bubble.
“After June 30th, the band system will be discontinued, and the quarantine period will be discontinued, specifically for those visitors who would have been vaccinated for three weeks. Until July 1st, therefore, a seven-day quarantine will be in place with the same series of tests: one three to five days prior to arrival; one test upon arrival; and one test on the seventh-day when the quarantine would end. Until July 1st, the usual quarantine bubble system will remain the same.”
“It is important to note that all visitors to Anguilla, as of July 1st, must be vaccinated — all illegible visitors, eighteen and over…Those visitors who are under eighteen will enter Anguilla without the vaccine and without any quarantine requirements. As regards testing, after July 1st, all visitors will still be required to be tested 3 to 5 days prior to arrival, and must produce a negative test results.
“If a mixed group is travelling, like a family with children, where there are two vaccinated adults or a number of vaccinated adults, the children will be subject to testing on arrival and may also require subsequent testing. However, testing requirements will depend upon the Ministry of Health’s assumption which is based upon the level of risk in the country of origin. Testing upon leaving Anguilla will still be in place.”
As it relates to the bubble, Mrs. Gumbs-Marie said that, technically speaking, the bubble will be done away with as of July 1st. However, she said that there may be still a minimal number of businesses that may wish to remain in the bubble for the purpose of providing quarantine stay for locals. She noted that, generally, unvaccinated locals will still be welcomed to enter Anguilla, but they will have to quarantine, as usual, for 10 days and pay the required quarantine fees.
A series of other questions were asked of the panel — all of which were answered to the satisfaction of those inquiring.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
