Caribbean Countries to Re-open in June for Travellers

Owing to the global pandemic, various countries have resorted to closing their borders to control the spread of the virus. While the world of travel has been brought to a halt because of coronavirus, there are still a few countries that have managed to contain the virus.  

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Several Caribbean countries have been successful in keeping the virus at bay. Known for their unfiltered beauty, Caribbean countries such as Aruba, Antigua, St Lucia and several more are dependent on tourism as a major part of their economy, which was largely hit due to the ongoing pandemic. However, these countries are now opening up their borders to tourists, with strict guidelines and cleaning protocols in place to keep both their citizens and tourists safe.

Antigua, with relatively lower coronavirus cases will open its doors to tourists from Miami, United States this June. The country will allow flights from Miami as early as June 4 and those from New York later in the summer. However, upon arrival, tourists will have to provide proof of testing negative for COVID-19. The government will also make provisions for taxi drivers to wash their hands at hotels after dropping off passengers. The travellers, however, might be confined to hotels during their stay to avoid mingling with locals and hence avoiding community spread. The country might open to British tourists in July, but only after airlines restore their services to the island. At the time of writing, Antigua has as low as 25 COVID-19 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. 

Aruba also plans to open for inbound travel between June 15 and July 1, after the government considers additional precautionary measures. It is yet to be specified whether travellers will be quarantined upon arrival or travellers from specific nations will be banned. However, all travellers will have to undergo screening measures including temperature checks. The tourism authority is also putting in place a mandatory cleaning and hygiene certification programme for all tourism-related businesses across the country. Hotel, post reopening, will have to follow protocols such as physical distancing, plexiglass barriers at desks, digital keys, contactless check-in and cleaning practices for luggage handling, and food and beverage services. Aruba also opened its outdoor restaurants with a curfew between 10pm and 5am. The country&rsquos famous Arikok National Park is permanently banning ATVs starting June 1 from protected areas. Larger multi-passenger UTVs will also be banned in the park from October 31.

St Lucia will also be opening up its borders to travellers from the United Sates beginning June 4. The country will open its borders in a phased manner, with travellers visiting in the first phase to present a negative COVID-19 certificate within 48 hours of boarding their flights and undergoing temperature checks upon arrival. Travellers will also have to wear face masks and follow social distancing while on the island. The second phase will begin in August. 

The Bahamas on the other hand reopened businesses along with resuming commercial activity. However, non-essential travel won&rsquot be permitted until later this summer.