ANGUILLA TAKES STEPS TOWARDS REOPENING HER BORDERS
Jun 03, 2020
Meads Bay Beach Photo Credit Melanie Reffes
Tourism is the economic lifeline of Anguilla, and as governments in Anguilla’s primary source markets and within the Caribbean region lift their restrictions, Anguilla is proceeding cautiously towards the reopening of her borders to international travelers. Government-approved aircraft, ships, vessels or boats used for the repatriation of Anguillian citizens to Anguilla, and the departure of Anguillian and Non-Anguillian citizens from Anguilla, are now allowed to operate into the island’s air and seaports of entry.
Anguilla has perhaps the best track record in the Caribbean for combating and containing the Covid-19 virus. The government acted rapidly and aggressively to contain the virus, with a widespread public education campaign, restrictions on social gatherings and closing the borders in mid-March. They also launched an innovative platform — www.beatcovid19.ai — a public/private sector collaboration that provided a central space for all official news and updates related to COVID-19. As a result, the island experienced just 3 reported cases, two of which were imported, and all of whom have fully recovered. There were no fatalities, and the island is now 60 days and counting without a new case.
Reopening borders inevitably brings the risk of new infections, and the government’s priority is to ensure that effective procedures are in place to identify, mitigate, contain and treat any suspected case, eliminating the possibility of community spread.
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa aims to reopen in the fall Photo Credit CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa
“We are keeping both our citizens overseas and our travel partners in the marketplace updated on our progress and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Anguilla in the very near future,” declared the Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism. “We intend to reopen in a safe, responsible way that protects both our citizens and our guests, yet still ensures the wonderful vacation experience that has made Anguilla the #1 destination in the Caribbean for three years in a row.”
At this point, no definitive date for reopening the borders to commercial international travel has been announced. However, the government has outlined their measured approach to reopening, which will take place in phases.
– Phase One is the repatriation of Anguillians overseas – students, family members, residents — who need to return home. An online portal has been set up on the www.beatcovid19.ai platform to assist Anguillians abroad with the registration and screening requirements, in order to effectively manage the repatriation process.
– With the help of the British government, Anguilla has acquired both the GenXpert and the Quanstudio PCR machines, along with testing kits, supplies and staff training which has enabled the Health Authority of Anguilla to now accurately and quickly test for COVID-19.
– Guidelines for industry stakeholders, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, international and regional associators including the USTA, CHTA, CARPHA and IATA, are being circulated and implemented across all product sectors – accommodations, transportation, attractions, retail and dining establishments.
– In Phase Two the administration will prepare to welcome paying guests; both travel advisors and stakeholders have indicated that there is demand for Anguilla, in particular from repeat guests who spend up to two months on the island.
– The administration is also working on a number of touchless solutions, such as online immigration processing, virtual check-in and check-out at hotels; that will also be in effect as part of the travel safety protocols implemented on reopening.
Additional updates on the reopening of Anguilla’s borders and tourism sector will be issued in the coming weeks, once all travel safety protocols have been finalized.
For information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.
For the most recent guidelines, updates and information on Anguilla’s response to effectively containing the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.beatcovid19.ai
About Anguilla
Tucked away in the northern Caribbean, Anguilla is a shy beauty with a warm smile. A slender length of coral and limestone fringed with green, the island is ringed with 33 beaches, considered by savvy travelers and top travel magazines, to be the most beautiful in the world. A fantastic culinary scene, a wide variety of quality accommodations at varying price points, a host of attractions and exciting calendar of festivals make Anguilla an alluring and entrancing destination.
Anguilla lies just off the beaten path, so it has retained a charming character and appeal. Yet because it can be conveniently reached from two major gateways: Puerto Rico and St. Martin, and by private air, it’s a hop and a skip away.
Romance? Barefoot elegance? Unfussy chic? And untrammeled bliss? Anguilla is Beyond Extraordinary.
