2021 News

Grenada Launches New Travel Hotline

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 15th January, 2021 – The Ministry of Tourism and the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) have launched a new hotline which will specifically deal with travel related inquiries. This hotline is considered necessary by Tourism officials to assist travel agents, tour operators, visitors or returning nationals with general inquiries about entry protocols, guidance on where to stay or where to go during a visit to Grenada, Carriacou & Petit Martinique. The following are the hotline numbers:

Toll free USA only – 1 888 251 1732 – 8am to 10pm (Atlantic Standard Time)

Worldwide – 1 213 283 0754 – 8am to 10pm (Atlantic Standard Time)

Callers on island – 440-0670 – 8am to 4pm

Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Climate Resilience and the Environment Hon. Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen says the hotline is aimed at, ‘making the process of obtaining information much easier as travelers make the decision to come to Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean. We are happy to extend the hotline hours to ensure that we maintain as much coverage as possible.”

For further information on travel requirements, visit covid19.gov.gd or puregrenada.com.

Anguilla’s Statement on CDC Universal Testing Requirements

From Hon. Minister of Tourism, Hayden Hughes: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially announced that effective January 26, 2021, all international airline passengers travelling to the USA, including those returning from vacation, must present to the airline written documentation confirming a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of their flight departure. Passengers who fail to do so will be denied boarding.

Testing has been at the forefront of Anguilla’s reopening strategy — that includes testing on arrival and departure. Therefore, the CDC’s requirement for testing on departure for all visitors returning to the US is one that Anguilla has the capacity to handle in an efficient manner.

We are in fact already providing this service on request to guests. With the assistance of the UK government through Public Health UK, we are increasing our testing capability to ensure that we meet the anticipated demand.  The Canadian government imposed a similar requirement effective January 7, 2021, and the United Kingdom mandate comes into effect as of this Friday, January 15, 2021.

We have taken every precaution and introduced stringent protocols to ensure the health and safety of both our visitors and our local residents. Our effective management of this disease has resulted in just 11 cases recorded since we reopened our borders last November, and no community spread.

As we continue to welcome visitors to Anguilla, we are confident that our guests will continue to enjoy an extraordinary vacation experience with us.

Bahamas Poised to Seamlessly Integrate New CDC Order into Existing Protocols

NASSAU, Bahamas, January 13, 2021 – Yesterday, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that all air passengers flying to the U.S. from a foreign country will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or Antigen test), taken no more than 3 days prior to the flight. This new regulation will apply to all travellers ages 2 and older, including U.S. citizens and international travellers. The order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Furthermore, any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last three months must be prepared to show documentation of recovery, which consists of proof of their positive viral test, coupled with a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official, providing clearance to travel. Airlines will be responsible for confirming the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before they board and will deny boarding to any person who does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test.

The Government of The Bahamas has successfully implemented stringent measures to protect its citizens, residents and visitors, and is well positioned to adhere to this new order, seamlessly integrating the CDC’s testing requirements into The Bahamas’ existing COVID-19 protocols. Currently, visitors to The Bahamas who stay longer than four nights and five days are required to take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their stay, with a number of testing sites throughout The Bahamas approved to administer tests. This means travellers and residents alike, readily have access to the viral tests, now required to enter the U.S.

“The Bahamas Government will continue to work in accordance with the CDC to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has been our top priority since the onset of this global pandemic,” said Dionisio D’Aguilar, The Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation. “Our journey has not been without bumps in the road, but we have made great strides in combatting this virus as evidenced by the very low case numbers we have now achieved. Visitors to our shores should have peace of mind knowing that we are making every effort to keep The Bahamas safe, and can now offer a turnkey, affordable and reliable testing process that meets U.S. requirements.”

All U.S. travellers to The Bahamas as well as Bahamian citizens and residents are required to abide by the CDC’s protocols to enter the U.S. An overview of these requirements, as well as FAQs, can be found on the CDC website.

For a list of approved COVD-19 testing sites in The Bahamas, as well as a full overview of The Bahamas’ travel and entry protocols, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Government of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Travellers should check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Grenada Tourism Congratulates Queen’s New Year List Honourees

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 12th January, 2021 – The Ministry of Tourism and the Grenada Tourism Authority extend congratulations to Grenadian sons of the soil, recently recognized in her majesty the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
2020 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year, Leo Garbutt was recognized with a Member of the Order of the British Empire Award for services to the hospitality industry. Garbutt who has given 30 years of service to the Tourism industry in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is the owner of one of Grenada’s premier luxury properties, the Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel.

The family owned, Calabash, Grenada’s first Relais and Chateau property has enriched Grenada’s Tourism portfolio with quality room stock and international recognition. Along with his family and team at Calabash, Garbutt has been a strong advocate of education, being a trustee of Grenada Schools Inc., which has built 25 libraries in primary schools across Grenada and Carriacou.

Also recognized was seven-time Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton whose grandfather is Grenadian. He was knighted for services to Motorsport. Hamilton’s achievement in Motorsport history is extraordinary and he continues to mention the homeland of his grandfather and his memories there in interviews on global platforms.

Additionally, UK singer and songwriter Craig David who has Grenadian roots was recognized with an Order of the British Empire designation. David appeared on UK TV’s Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast which traced his ancestral roots and connections to Grenada.

Speaking of the achievements, Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen said, “We congratulate and applaud these individuals on their contributions and recognition they have brought to this tri-island nation. Our generations to come can be inspired by what they have achieved.”

Belize to Offer Testing to Meet CDC’s Expanded Requirements

Belize City, Belize, Wednesday January 13, 2021 – Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it will require a negative COVID-19 test from all passengers arriving in the United States, as of January 26th 2021. This will have severe impacts on Belize tourism sector.

In response to this new requirement, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), after consultation with the Belize Ministry of Health and Wellness hereby confirms that testing will be expanded and made available to all passengers departing Belize for the U.S.

Further details including cost and testing locations across the country are being determined. All individuals who plan to visit Belize can therefore proceed with their travel plans.

The Belize Tourism Board recognizes that US travelers account for approximately 70% of visitors to Belize. We will continue to be guided by health protocols to welcome all visitors and ensure a safe experience from arrival to departure.