Anguilla Slated To Receive COVID-19 Vaccine in January 2021
The Valley, Anguilla, December 9, 2020….. The Ministry of Health and Health Authority of Anguilla officials have briefed the Executive Council on plans for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in Anguilla, following on the United Kingdom’s commitment to incorporate Anguilla and the other overseas territories into the procurement for mainland UK.
The vaccines are expected on island as early as January 19, 2021.
“Although Anguilla has had only six COVID-19 cases and no deaths thus far, as we welcome visitors from global destinations including those where the virus is prevalent, it means that Anguilla continues to be highly vulnerable,” declared the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie.
“However, with the testing protocols we have in place, our enhanced public health facilities, and now the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine in January, we are confident in our ability to successfully and efficiently manage, treat and contain any incidence of the virus that may occur,” she concluded.
In Anguilla’s current Phase Two reopening, which started on November 1st, visitors to the island, including those on short stays of one to two weeks, can experience a wide range of certified and approved resorts, attractions, tours and excursions.
Guests may dine out at certified “bubble” restaurants, including such favorites as Blanchards, Straw Hat, Ember and Mango’s; play a round of golf at the Greg Norman designed championship course at the CuisinArt Golf Resort; take a memorable sunset or all-day sail aboard the Tradition, a classic West Indian sloop; and enjoy the ever-popular offshore excursions to Little Bay, Sandy Island, Scilly Cay and Prickly Pear, including private lunches.
A huge variety of watersports, from scuba diving, sport fishing and kayaking, to paddleboards, glass-bottomed boat rides, Sunfish and Hobie Cats are also available to the active vacationer.
And for fitness enthusiasts, beach workouts, yoga, spin classes, pilates or private one-on-one fitness classes are all on offer. Additional activities are being added weekly, as service providers become certified; guests should check with their host resort for more information.
Advance reservations are required, made through the hotel concierge/reservation staff or villa management, with transportation provided by a certified and approved ground operator.
“We have worked very hard with the Ministries of Tourism and Health to create the best and most innovative solution for our short stay guests in particular, to enjoy the rich and rewarding Anguilla experience,” said Kenroy Herbert, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board.
“Our approach balances the twin priorities of protecting the health and safety of our guests and our residents, while providing the exceptional vacation experience that we are known for.”
All visitors are welcome in Phase Two, provided that they meet the pre-entry approval requirements.
Visitors planning to travel to Anguilla must visit the Anguilla Tourist Board website and complete and submit the Travel Authorization Form; a dedicated concierge will guide each applicant through the process.
A negative test result obtained three to five days prior to arrival is required, along with health insurance that covers travelers internationally, including COVID-related treatment, and all visitors will be given a PCR test on arrival.
Guests are required to remain in their rooms at their host property until they receive the result of the test administered on arrival, which is usually within 24 hours.
With a negative test result, guests are then free to make their reservations and embark on the approved excursions and activities.
Longer staying guests, of 14 days and more, are required to take a second PCR test on Day 15 of their visit (as the first day of the stay in place requirement is the day after their arrival).
If the test result is negative, they are then free to rent a vehicle and roam around the island on their own. Anguilla currently has the lowest Travel Health Notice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19 (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-1/coronavirus-anguilla).
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.
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JAMAICA
Minister Bartlett To Chair OAS Tourism Recovery Working Group
KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 09, 2020: Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has been selected to chair a high-level Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group, which has been charged with the development of an action plan, for the recovery of the cruise and airline industries in light of the fall-out caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Jamaica is very honoured to join these important discussions on the recovery of our tourism industry. As the newly appointed chairman of the Working Group focusing on cruise and airline recovery, we will seek to leverage the collective expertise of our members to find innovative solutions as we chart the way forward in this new normal,” said Minister Bartlett.
The working group is one of four announced during the 2nd special session of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR) held on 14 August 2020, to facilitate the effective and timely recovery of the travel and tourism sectors.
Minister Bartlett was recently selected as Chairman of the Working Group and will convene the first meeting on 10 December 2020 with representatives from the relevant member states, which include Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Peru and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
In preparation for this crucial meeting Minister Bartlett recently convened a national preparatory meeting with key stakeholders such as Professor Gordon Shirley, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica; Mr. Audley Deidrick, President & Chief Executive Officer of Airports Authority of Jamaica/Norman Manley International Airports Ltd.; and Mr. Shane Munroe, Chief Executive Officer at MBJ Airports Ltd., for their input.
Minister Bartlett explained that: “The output of the Working Group will be delivered for the consideration of the XXV Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism in October 2021.”
The Organization of American States is the premier regional forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in Western Hemisphere affairs. It dates back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890.
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SAINT LUCIA
Saint Lucian Mud Bath From Your Desk? Saint Lucia Is The First Caribbean Island to Launch Augmented Reality (AR) Filters
Castries, Saint Lucia (December 2020) – The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) continues to inspire wanderlust with a new interactive digital experience on Instagram, introducing five custom Augmented Reality (AR) Filters themed in signature Saint Lucian looks and experiences.
Saint Lucia is the first Caribbean Tourism Authority to launch custom AR Filters. The SLTA is transporting users on a virtual experience inspired by Saint Lucian culture, heritage and popular island adventures. Augmented Reality (AR) is a fun and interactive way to inspire travel through virtual reality in a playful way.
The new AR Filters can be accessed on the @travelsaintlucia Instagram account by first selecting the effects tab with the smile icon, then pressing “Try It”. Users can choose from five custom filters that reflect Saint Lucian experiences. Filters include an iconic Sulphur Springs mud mask, a cultural madras hat, Carnival inspired headpiece, an underwater snorkel, and a Saint Lucia flag-colored flower crown.
The filters are accessible using either the front or back camera. Users can select the filters to feature in a photo, video or boomerang — along with adding stickers, drawings and text before sharing on their Instagram feed, story or Direct Message.
To encourage excitement about Saint Lucia and the new filters, the SLTA is offering the chance for one lucky winner to win a 5-night all-inclusive stay at Bay Gardens Resorts(@BayGardensResorts). The contest is open to the USA, Canada, UK, and Caribbean National Residents from now through January 23, 2021. A winner will be randomly selected and announced on January 24, 2021.
HOW TO ENTER THE SAINT LUCIA AR CONTEST: Step 1: Follow @TravelSaintLucia & @BayGardensResorts on Instagram. Step 2: Post using any of the five AR Filters on your Instagram feed or story and tag @TravelSaintLucia.
Saint Lucia is open to visitors and has Covid-19 protocols in place. For more information about Saint Lucia’s Covid response, including live updates about safety protocols and what travelers can expect when visiting, please visit www.stlucia.org/covid-19.
