The Government of Antigua and Barbuda says it is reconsidering asking tourists to quarantine at their hotel and could also drop the requirement for an advanced COVID-19 negative test result.
These were some of the recommendations put forward as plans to reopen the tourism industry to international visitors are put in high gear.
Information Minister Melford Nicholas says “it’s not going to be feasible to impose a 14-day quarantine on a would-be visitor.”
According to Nicholas this is because the average stay of a tourist is about two weeks.
Another requirement that international visitors present a negative covid-19 test is also under review, according to the minister.
He says such a move is unlikely and impractical and instead the government is mulling rapid virus testing to be wcarried out at ports of entry at a cost to be borne by the visitor.
Nicholas said passengers will be allowed to disembark and enter Antigua once there
is a “confidence level of approximately 98 per cent”.
“Should a requirement happen where a person has shown any illness, we still have onshore facilities on island [where] we will be able to do further tests and isolation and treatment of those particular persons,” he explained.
Procedures for accepting tourists are still being finalised according to the miinster.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
The temperature scanning is also a good option.
Unless someone is in the incubation period or asymptomatic. Hope everyone is prepared for a second wave and shutdown with decisions like this.
True!
True
its is not a good option, someone can have COVID and their temperature is normal.
i have heard of cases
@Janine – you are right as well. What do you suggest? None of the options appears to be 100%. We all just have to follow the preventive recommendations.
Test test test on arrival. What happened to Antigua’s test lab ???????????
This along with the 14 day quarantine are ridiculous proposals. No tourist would visit with these restrictions. The priority for the government should be diversifying the economy and moving away from tourism. It’s going to be long and difficult, but we need to start now.
Excellent point Mr. Byam
Perfectly said Mr Byam
so , the PM has already flagged that he knows there will be a spike in cases as soon as the borders are open. In other words, he has told us upfront that people are going to be sick and die because he and his corporate friends want to continue to make profits. Now it is clear they are not gong to put in place any of the measures they were previously talking about, inadequate as they were. Get ready for the second wave, the politicians and their rich backers need to make money!
Not necessarily corporate! Antigua is dependant on tourism, no tourism you will have to start taxing people who have no money as there is no tourism, classic catch-22
@Andy- you’re statement is on point. Definitely looking at the big picture.
Agree with Andy. The government is looking out for the best interest of all people. The virus is not as deadly as it mutates- this has been studied. People are not as ill and become and as critical as when first exposed. We are developing antibodies to help fight it. It’s inevitable that we all at one point will be exposed to it. Screening measures of tourists is right on point- including temperature checks. No one will travel if they are actively sick. We can’t keep tourism out forever. The world is opening and people are smarter to deal with it
Hahaha let’s go Antigua you can do it these guys are utterly retarded
Comments are closed.