Minister of Tourism Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez says all commercial flights will end and the island will be on lockdown by the end of this week.
“As of the end of this week, effectively it’s going to be an island shutdown,” he said.
Fernandez explained that the previous restrictions allowed for nationals to return home and foreigners to leave the island on outbound flights back to their home countries.
Fernandez also said, “All of the hotels are going to be closed within a matter of days so there is no reason for tourists to come into Antigua”.
British Airways has announced that its last flight from Antigua & Barbuda to the UK will be on March 29, 2020.
Colin James, CEO of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, informed that LIAT is the only carrier in the Caribbean that’s still operating.
“InterCaribbean has ceased service, Seaborne has ceased service, CAL has ceased service and so it’s only LIAT and that’s for a few destinations around the region, as many have closed their borders to all international travel, “ James explained.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Hope all aru happy now. Boi me cant wait for the next week fu see aru ah bawl when shît hits da fan.
So you prefer for people to keep coming in and spreading the virus?
When Fear controls you, you will never see the big picture. Prepare for famine
Everybody going to bawl… not because the borders closing now means that only who wanted it would bawl. Everybody will bawl, because it’s not about closing borders at all… it’s much bigger than that!
@Coronavirus is NOT a DEATH SENTENCE you could not have said it any better.
you stupid or something , whats their to gloat about, all flight and hotels are closing because of this virus , so clearly ever body else is closing Antigua for us , u damm ass which should have been closed a few weeks ago … so they dont have a choice now … SMH…
Not a mature response Sir!
THE ITALIAN CARNAGE
What do you think the darn airlines and passengers are bringing?
Could never be said to be ‘…Christmas Gifts from Santa.’ NO Sah.
Not Christmas time yet.
If the darn Virus has ‘…killed over 800 people in a 24-hour period in Italy,’ how many darn souls would you want it to take out from the ‘…approximately 100, 000 people’ in Antigua and Barbuda?
Well said Mr. Pompey. You are right on target as usual. I guess you were a great sharp shooter in the ABPF.
Pompey, I sent you the equation for…
. . COV – one and the same used in the Financial world, of Statistics and Probabilities.
…ID – the identifiers through their EGOtistical ways.
For months you have being reading my thoughts on, The Art Of War, and it’s shadow, The Art Of Deception.
Please watch the OKEE-DOKEE!
In war, and COVID-19 the Corporation just eliminated, just about all other competitors in the BLOCKCHAIN, CRYPTOCURRENCY, digital Wallet domain, and is investing TRILLIONS of DOLLARS(USD), to control the goods and services around the World.
Even China’s Wutan Kung Flu Klan took heed, The Creature From Jekyll Island is in control of her weapons.
As in any War, there will be casualties, and this is no different.
As they say, never let a good crisis go to waste, and what better time, to implement a new currency into the MAIN STREAM MARKET, than when most businesses are closed, and only those that you want or deemed essential, opened; then when you bring everything back on line, it’s in line with your designs, controls, principles, etc.
Watch that okee-dokee!
So articulate.
Most countries if not all are closing their … It great news to hear that we will be closing ours….. As a concern parent I am wondering why are we not bringing home our students who are studying overseas…. Why are we leaving these students as liabilities to other countries..?
They are our assets…. We need to secure them… At the same time the medical students especially those in Cuba can perhaps lend their expertise on the front line to gove support to our present medics and the Cuban brigade that arrived here recently….. There is no doubt that medical trained personnel will be needed if this disease escalates here in Antigua.
We are not closing ours. Other countries are closing theirs, so nobody is coming here.
The student’s overseas had ample time to come back home. Why should “we” send for them?
Also, we don’t need unqualified students from Cuba on the front line. They have not completed school as yet. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Thank you.
And your implying you can do better than them? Sometimes we need to think before we speak. I can see your parents never taught you if you have nothing good to say don’t say it all
Anyone from the other Caribbean islands that live here and want to go to their home country of birth can do so how especially those that are not contributing to Antigua and Barbuda economy. Our health care system is not as good as Jamaica, Guyana, Hatti, Barbados, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, etc… Plwaee do like the Americans, British, and Canadian, etc… that live here…leave now on LIAT. You can come back after it is all over.
You are apparently an uneducated fool. How dare you in times like that suggest such a thing. Without the foreigners Antigua will not be what it is today. After this pandemic do you know what are the possible consequences for this island. Does this country have a billion dollar budget to assist businesses and the population at large?? I’m certain we will be needing the efforts of everyone including us foreigners to rebuild Antigua’s economy. And please don’t forget we are paying our taxes just like any other Antiguan. Open your mind and stop speak as a fool. This thing is bigger than you, it’s bigger than me. Do you believe all the persons living in these bigger counties such as the UK was born and raised there. Persons move around and nothing is wrong with that l. Who are you to say where people should choose to make a life for themselves. In times like this you need to think differently. Some of the same slfireigners and nurses and doctors. With that thinking perhaps you should decline the assistance from the Cuban government.
The man say persons that are not contributing to our economy. There is nothing wrong with what he suggested.
Since most of the airport are already closed, where should they be landed, on sea. Stop being selfish. This is God’s world, or isn’t it anymore????
I agreed with you in bringing home our students especially those who are studying medicine.
I am a parent of a student studying in the US. Yes it would be nice for them to come home but that is not the government’s responsibility, plus why risk them getting exposed to bring them home?! We have to use wisdom here…they need to practice safety first and we all just need to keep in touch. My child is in his freshman year second semester… of course I worry at times but it makes no sense exposing him to the elements and furthermore, the very high stress level of travelling right now…
Who are you referring to as ‘we’? Come on now, not because it’s a crisis that means others are responsible for our children. If you so want your child to be with you and not a butden on another country, send fuh yuh child!! Simple as that… why y’all think that ppl owe y’all something round here?… chuppzzzz They are indeed “our assets” therefore “we” the parents are responsible for them. And as you rightfully said, “we need to secure them”… “we” the parents…smh
Couldn’t have said it any better.. Kudos on your assertion!!👍
Long live LIAT
Ikr
I dont think you all understand the impact of covid 19 even if the islands hotels all stayed open. Who would be staying there we cant even get out of our country to go anywhere let alone holiday in Antigua
All intetnational students paid for themselves to gp home in England
All UPP Members and Their Supporters want the Government to close all Borders to push the Government in ECONOMIC TURMOIL. UPP just want the Government to fail. UPP looking after Their own INTERESTS and NOT the interest of Antiguans / Barbudans. What a PITY.
You cannot bring politics into everything. Look around you, watch the news. Maybe you will learn something other than politics.
This is really not about politics, and at a time like this, politics should stay out of it. There will be economic turmoil regardless of what happens with the borders, as tourists will not be visiting Antigua for the foreseeable future. It’s very small minded to think of only Antigua right now and it’s economy. You should be thinking about the devastation if this virus spreads amongst the nation. Although many of you will have mild symptoms that may pass you by, others (and mainly the elderly in the population) will not be so lucky. The strain that will be put on hospital staff, will mean others will not be able to be treated either, and will also be put at risk. I don’t my post will be put up as I seem to now be monitored for trying to raise awareness, but just follow global news networks. The USA is heading for a worse state than anywhere else due to their president thinking he knows more than the doctors and scientists. If you are an island riddled with disease, no one will come… Ever! Read the facts people. For all of you that still don’t get it, educate yourselves. Global nations are not locking down for fun, but to survive this today so that they can rebuild tomorrow.
This is really not about politics, and at a time like this, politics should stay out of it. There will be economic turmoil regardless of what happens with the borders, as tourists will not be visiting Antigua for the foreseeable future. It’s very small minded to think of only Antigua right now and it’s economy. You should be thinking about the devastation if this virus spreads amongst the nation. Although many of you will have mild symptoms that may pass you by, others (and mainly the elderly in the population) will not be so lucky. The strain that will be put on hospital staff, will mean others will not be able to be treated either, and will also be put at risk. I doubt my post will be put up as I seem to now be monitored for trying to raise awareness, but just follow global news networks. The USA is heading for a worse situation than anywhere else due to their president thinking he knows more than the doctors and scientists. If you are an island riddled with disease, no one will come… Ever! Read the facts people. For all of you that still don’t get it, educate yourselves. Global nations are not locking down for fun, but to survive this today so that they can rebuild tomorrow.
Please VERY SHAMEFUL where did the UPP Party indicate any desire to see the government fail. This is a serious national crisis and we can all be consumed by it. You are the one who appears to be PARTISAN. Please stop it.
Hope this announcement will make Knight from Observer Radio happy. Listening to Knight and Cleon Athill last evening on the Snake Pit….These Two Persons do not see pass Their Nose. Never give the Government credit for anything. Very DISAPPOINTED in my former Teacher Miss. Athill
Is it a case where Antigua is closing its borders or that its borders have been closed by the rest of the world? Most countries have already closed their borders, so big news!!!
@Hmmm, I think this is the time for unity. Our caribbean brothers that resides side contribute to our system, Medical Benefits, etc. We cant just discard of them because of a crisis. They have the right to stay here or return home if they want.
What we are experiencing is no fault of ours…or is it? When man stop look to God for their daily needs and rely on others ( like them a God ) then something sure will happen to the world…Thou shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3
Yall jus look how this virus killing people and its not a death sentence give it a break plz cause yall really dont know what your messing with so let what must be be
This is gone mad the whole world is blind.
This virus will be history very soon. It will be history.The fallout from all of these followfashion measures however will be longlasting.
I dont care who wants to comment. I fear this virus much less than the braindead persons who live in this country. This whole world mash up. The propaganda creators have won.
Finally someone with common sense speaks!! The damn virus is not a death sentence.
Are you really shutting down the Airport? I say no.You had no choice in this matter.How could you keep it open.When no darn Airlines were coming into Antigua.They are the ones closing it for you.You are so incompetent.You could not run a sweetie shop.You could not lead a blind animal to the drink.Time for you to go.What has become of Deluxe Cinema? I forgot sold to the Administration??? What a waste.
Many of you think only your ideas and opinions must contend.You would want to shut up all others.If they do not see eye to eye with Gaston Browne doctrines.Many of you on this medium are like stool pigeons.Lap dogs of the Big Dawg.
Your input is negative and unwanted..Smh. In this time we need to educate ourselves and family on what’s really going on. The time we take to tear each other down. Why don’t you cuss the US for creating this virus in 2006. And cuss the US government for letting it spread like this, when they have the patent vaccine approved by the FDA in November of 2019.🤫..So please don’t cuss our PM decisions to close the port of entry sites. This what they want, to spread this man made virus and depopulation……..their is a bigger picture here. This is a conspiracy to depopulate the over crowded world. Stay awoke ..they playing the blame game. Cause I was cussing China , until I did my research
Closing the airport is a good thing.
From the get go our crisis should not have been COVID19, it should have been how are we going to survive the next few weeks.
Now this situation must force a comprehensive SWAT analysis on the country’s economy.
This is an excellent opportunity to rearrange the economy, remember most developing states are in a similar quagmire.
We must take advantage of this opportunity and not squander it. Adjust perceptions and habits, burn all the economic books. Forget about FDI’s lets roll up our sleeves and prepare to work smart as a small nation.
Refashion, remodel everything……
No more hotels on large acres of land with tax free incentives, consider small boutique type hotels that is not all inclusive with minimal tax incentives….. And the government and people must have shares in all these properties.
Stop building all these micro homes on many acres of lands….Transition the people into living and owning apartments in high rise buildings in aesthetically pleasing surroundings with parks and sporting facilities.
Develop a program in all secondary schools that makes it mandatory that all 5th form student must develop and operate a small business of their creative mind in order to graduate.
Find away to facilitate and encourage micro animal husbandry and farming projects in all communities.
Create a fashion industry. It is important that we manufacture our own garments, from underwear to elegant wear and foot wear.
There is a need for us to become good at something, to be know for something, this is a good time to allow the people to expand. The government must stop creating the economic situation and adapt a model where the people drives the economics of the country and the government facilitates by creating the environment for each endeavoring all achieving live in peace because we are free.
We can start all this by begging the Queen to make us a republic, so we can develop a sense of pride and belonging to ourselves.
Excellent proposals my brother. We’re half way there.
Now all you have to do is rent a white man from one of the beaches, put him in a suit , give him a empty black briefcase and send him up to the PMs office and Observer Radio with your recommendations.
If that fails give them to Eli Fuller to read out on Facebook.
I think I will give them to Fuller
🌴🌴🌴🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬📣📣📣…hemp! HEMP! HEMP! KUM GET YOUR HEMP!📣📣📣📣HEMP! HEMP! HEMP! 📣📣📣FOR SALE! KUM GET YOUR HEMP!
…FOOD
…SHELTER
…clothing
Put them in the proper perspective, to live, thrive and suvive…
HEMP can be the plant that saved our coffers, like cotton and sugarcane saved Europe.
Me say day! Me say day! Me say day!
Me say daylight kum, and it a shine pan truth!
🇦🇬🇦🇬🇦🇬📣📣📣HEMP! KUM GET U HEMP! skool karl een!
Here’s the fact and reality. This country depends on tourism as said. We don’t have tourism we don’t don’t have income. All the agriculture money spend clarely was blown. So the ppl gonna suffer. We cant stop the international flights from shutting down, so theres no control on flights and cruise ships. THAT’S THE FACT AND THATS THAT.
Politics and the blame game doesnt help shit now because the ppl dont unite and get any of the parties when or when was in power to get farming on a level where it brings income and a the old factories and the last hope of the brewery was demolished and not replaced with any other income alternative. No one did or said anything except bicker and complain amonst selves.
We are so mentally captive its not funny and now we going to feel it
Comments are closed.