The urgent need to reactivate tourism today prompts several Caribbean states to lift restrictions on entering the country imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, although with some conditions.
The governments of Belize, Guyana and Saint Kitts and Nevis have just announced the reopening of their borders to commercial flights in order to revive the most important economic source.
The first of them did so on October 1, while the others will do so on October 12 and 31, respectively.
According to the site Viajes por el Caribe, Belize implemented a so-called Program for Recognition of the Gold Standard for Tourism and a corridor aimed at guaranteeing the health and safety of travelers and residents.
The initiative will certify accommodations and tour operators that adopt the new behavior and establish procedures with a 'minimal impact' for guests.
Belizean authorities clarified that the creation of a corridor is a temporary measure to minimize the interaction between tourists and the local community as a way to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
However, provisions such as the mandatory use of face masks, social distancing, improved room cleaning and guest health checks, among others, will remain in force.
With similar measures, Guyana will begin to receive tourists on October 12, despite the seven-hour curfew that will last until the end of the month.
With this objective in mind, it was decided to start operations at two airports with specific health security guidelines, among them the mandatory performance of virus detection tests for all people entering the country.
For its part, Saint Kitts and Nevis will lift the closure of the country on October 31 and allow the restart of international commercial flights and the arrival of travelers.
'We can, with everyone's support, take this big step to open up our economy and now we can do it while minimizing risks,' said Prime Minister Timothy Harris.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Belize has registered 2,260 confirmed cases of the disease, of which 1,272 recovered and 27 deaths, while Guyana reports 3,42, 1,907 and 85 deaths and Saint Kitts and Nevis only 19, 17 and zero deaths. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.