Harder times for tourism sector

Travel from two of this island’s main tourism source markets has hit a snag.

Yesterday, the United Kingdom’s ban on all travel corridors came into effect, putting an end to persons being allowed to fly to and from specific countries without needing to self-isolate upon their return. Several Caribbean countries including Barbados, were on the list.

As a result, visitors heading back to Britain must now present a neg-ative coronavirus test or risk not being able to board the flight, and upon arrival must self-isolate for 10 days.

Now weeks into its second lockdown, the UK has outlined a ban on all travel abroad unless persons have “a legally permitted reason to leave home”.

The news could not come at a worse time for Barbados as its tourism industry continues to wane due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

As coronavirus cases continue to spike here and abroad, and the onset of new variant strains wreak havoc in South America, South Africa and the United Kingdom, over the weekend, the United States of America’s Center for Disease Control informed Americans travelling and those overseas, that from next Tuesday, January 26, all airline passengers, ages two and older, must present “either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed healthcare provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel”.

“Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel,” a statement issued by the US Embassy in Barbados highlighted, while instructing airlines to deny boarding to passengers not meeting the requirements.

“US citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements,” the statement warned.