As recent reports reveal the presence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Caribbean, Barbuda has made plans to restrict flights and ships with certain travel history.
A public meeting hosted by the Barbuda council on Friday saw the discussion of how best Barbuda can protect itself against the dreaded the virus.
Dr. Jeremy Deazle, Barbuda’s resident medical doctor, informed that a flight coming from an area that has a high concentration of the virus would be ban before it has had a chance to land.
Dr Deazle added that yachts would have to present a health declaration outlining their travel history.
“So, if a yacht is on the coastline coming from the infected areas and if they don’t
have a declaration of health then they have to be sent away,” Dr Deazle said.
According to Barbuda Council member Devon Warner, the plan is to treat this at a distance and therefore a checkpoint will be put in place at River, it is at this point where yachts will present the relevant information and wait to be cleared.
As a precautionary measure, an uncleared yacht will have to raise a particular flag to indicate to the customs officers that the vessel is uncleared and to proceed with caution.
The customs officers and Council members will use a mobile app “easy clear” to carry out the procedure.
According to Dr Deazle, Barbudans who contract the virus will be quarantined either in their homes or at the repurposed Margetson Ward at the old Holberton Hospital in Antigua.
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We are US citizens on the cruse ship Costa Luminoca. Comming from Florida. Before that the ship spent it’s time in the carabain. No sickness yet we were just turned away from Antigua after being invited to visit.
There are COVID 19 cases in Florida. I am sure if there were cases in Antigua the US gov would be taking similar measure against an Antiguan vessel. Do not take it personally, it is uncertain times for everyone. The panic was started by developed countries, hence we have to do our best to protect ourselves. We do not have infinite resources like the US of A. I am sure when it eventually passes that most travel restrictions will be lifted in most countries.
Does Barbuda have an International Port of entry? What flights are they talking about banning? I am lost
Me a say the dame thing
I am here asking the same question ….. the
Barbuda does not have an official port of entry therefore all carriers must obtain clearance from Antigua before sailing or flying to Barbuda. Barbuda only had a landing strip for small propeller planes.however that was damaged by Hurricane Irma.
There was only one regular service to the island, aboard Antigua Barbuda Montserrat Air, which leaves from the V.C. Bird International Airport on Antigua every morning that there are enough passengers at 8:00 a.m., and returns at 2:00 p.m. The service is irregular, and the plane is small, just big enough to handle about eight passengers and their luggage.
Chartered flights with certified carriers are also available and may be cost effective for groups of four to five people with a lot of luggage. Usually the 2 hotels that were on the island before said hurricane would arrange a flight or a helicopter ride for their guests from Antigua, saving you the hassle. But hey…
However further reading up on this case, A Barbudan stated that :
Barbuda has an airport. The Codrington Airport that is presently adequate for servicing the air transport demands of the island. The terminal building was damaged by the hurricane but it has since been repaired and the airport is fully operational.
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