Blog - Full Service Travel Agency - Destination Management

The Caribbean Tourism COVID-19 Task Force has launched health and safety guidelines for companies and destinations to guide the reopening of the tourism industry in the region to help safeguard the health of travelers and employees.

The guidelines – inclusive of detailed checklists to facilitate your implementation – address the core protocols required within four key tourism sub-sectors:
– Accommodations
– F&B Operations
– Ground Transportation
– Sites and Attractions

Click on image to view full guidelines and checklists.

Republished from Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association

UPDATED July 4, 2019: Antigua & Barbuda Issues New COVID-19 Travel Entry Protocols

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority wishes to inform that it has received notification of an amendment to the implementation date of the latest Antigua and Barbuda Travel Advisory. Kindly note that the Advisory will be enforced effective 09 July 2020 at 11:59 PM. All other information contained in the previously forwarded version dated July 2, 2020 remains unchanged.

Virgin Atlantic Announces Its Return To The Caribbean

22nd June, 2020:

▪ Airline set to return to 17 additional destinations across the network, including Barbados, Tel Aviv, Mumbai, Miami, San Francisco and Las Vegas planned from 1st August.

▪ Flights from Barbados to London Heathrow scheduled to start on 2nd August. Flights from Antigua, Montego Bay, and Tobago will return in October.

▪ Restart of routes dependent on travel restrictions lifting around the world

▪ Additional measures put in place at the airport and onboard to ensure health and safety of our customers and our people.

Virgin Atlantic has announced its plan to restart passenger flying to 17 additional destinations from August 2020.

Following the airline’s announcement that services from London Heathrow are expected to resume from 20th July 2020 onwards, Virgin Atlantic has unveiled more detailed plans that will see passenger flying restart to many destinations across the airline’s network.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic commented: “As countries around the world begin to relax travel restrictions, we look forward to welcoming our customers back onboard and flying them safely to many destinations across our network. From 20th July we are planning to resume some services and then from 1st August onwards, we will resume passenger flying to 17 additional destinations around the world including Tel Aviv, Miami, Lagos and San Francisco,”

“However, we are monitoring external conditions extremely closely, in particular the travel restrictions many countries have in place including the 14 day quarantine policy for travellers entering the UK. We know that as the Covid-19 crisis subsides, air travel will be a vital enabler of the UK’s economic recovery. Therefore, we are calling for UK Government to continually review its quarantine measures and instead look at a multi-layered approach of carefully targeted public health and screening measures, including air bridges, which will support a successful and safe restart of international air travel for passengers and businesses.”

Virgin Atlantic planned return to flying from London Heathrow Terminal 2 (subject to change and dependent on travel restrictions)

Virgin Atlantic will operate temporarily from Terminal 2 at Heathrow, due to HAL’s terminal consolidation. Virgin Atlantic will return to its much-loved home at London Heathrow Terminal 3 when demand at Heathrow grows, enabling Terminal 3 to reopen

Virgin Atlantic has taken the difficult decision to delay the restart of its London Heathrow to Orlando service and it will now resume on 24th August 2020. Seasonal services from Glasgow and Belfast to Orlando will resume for selected dates in summer 2021. We will continue to monitor our network on an ongoing basis and expect more flights from London Heathrow and Manchester to resume in September and October 2020.

Our Caribbean office in Barbados will re-open on the 4th of August for passenger bookings and enquiries and we will be available for agency calls from mid-July, should you need support. We are looking forward to working with you once again.

We are continuing to monitor our network on an ongoing basis and expect to add flights from Manchester to Barbados as part of our Winter 20/21 schedule.

Of course, the health and safety of our people and our customers, is paramount. Virgin Atlantic is implementing additional measures to offer peace of mind in the airport and when taking to the skies**.

I also wanted to let you know we’ve updated our policy on change fees. For customers who were due to travel between 12th June – 30th September 2020, and rebook to travel before 30th November 2020, we’ll continue to waive both the change fee and any fare difference.

Your Health & Wellbeing

**The health and safety of our customers and our teams remains our absolute priority onboard, Virgin Atlantic continues to adhere to and often exceed the guidance and regulation of the different authorities involved, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Public Health England (PHE) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). We are implementing the following health and safety measures in response to Covid-19:

At the airports
▪ Proactive health screening (via questionnaire and verbal interviews) all our customers and denying boarding if any questions are answered positively.
▪ We are advocating for the use of temperature checks to be administered upon arrival at the airport for the safety of all our customers and people, working closely with our airport partners to implement this.
▪ Adhering to social distancing measures at check in and boarding gates to limit the number of customers in queues to avoid crowding.
▪ Customers will be encouraged to check in 24 hours before or use the self-serve check in and bag drop to minimise contact. All check in areas and surfaces will be cleaned regularly with high-grade products, tested to be effective against viruses.
▪ Encouraging customers to use hand sanitizer stations at the check in and gate area for customers convenience and cleanliness.
▪ Our people will be wearing face masks when in close contact with our customers.
▪ We’re working closely with our colleagues at the airports to ensure customers are safe as they pass through security. Security trays are wiped after use, security teams will be wearing masks and customers can expect reduced lanes in this area to ensure social distancing.
▪ All the seating and gate area around boarding will be sanitised to a high standard to offer customers peace of mind as they wait to board their flight.
▪ We’re limiting boarding to 10 customers at a time, starting from the back of the aircraft to minimise contact between customers.
▪ On boarding, we’re asking all customers to scan their own boarding pass and hold up their passport for inspection to minimize contact.

Onboard
▪ To ensure our customers have space onboard, where possible, some seats will not be available, and they will be marked with special pillows.
▪ Everyone flying with us will receive a Health Pack, a PPE kit with medical grade masks, surface wipes and hand sanitizer. We’re asking all customers and our crew to wear their masks for the duration of the flight.
▪ We’ve temporarily removed some items onboard including Vera, our inflight magazine and our retail therapy service, to minimize contact between customers. Customers can still use our pre-order service from our great range of products in advance of their flight.
▪ We’ve reduced some of our food and drink on board and offering our meals in simplified packaging to make sure we can keep interactions between crew and customers to a minimum.
▪ We have put meticulous cleaning measures in place, disinfecting the aircraft before each flight, using hospital grade, registered disinfecting product, tested to be highly effective against viruses.
▪ We use fogging (electrostatic spraying) of high-grade disinfectant in all our cabins before every flight.
▪ The cabin environment is one of the safest environments due to the vertical air circulation and filtration, with all air going through highly effective High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that remove dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and other particles from cabin air (testing shows a removal efficiency of 99.999%)
▪ We have isolation areas in place on each flight for any customers or crew who may potentially present symptoms onboard.

Thank you, as always, for all your support. We’re so glad to be taking to the skies again, and looking forward to working with you as closely as ever for 2020 and beyond
Fly safe, fly well.

This post originally appeared as a press release from Virgin Atlantic’s website.

F.A.Q for Travelers Entering into Antigua and Barbuda.

Republished from Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority’s website
Last updated: June 15, 2020.

Summary of travel for guests coming on vacation

All travellers are assessed by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and The Environment (also referred to within this document as the Quarantine Authority), for signs and symptoms through a series of checks and the completion of a health declaration form on arrival. Testing is at the discretion of the Quarantine Authority for all arrivals. The test is given at the port of arrival and takes 15 minutes. The results take approximately 48 hours to process, and travellers will be alerted of their results by health officials. Whilst travellers await results they do need to limit their movements, as instructed by the Quarantine Authority. If the test is negative, travellers may then enjoy and explore Antigua & Barbuda. If the test is positive travellers will need to go into isolation.

The responses within this page are provided based on the current knowledge of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority as provided by the Ministry of Health Wellness and The Environment (MOHWE) and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority aims to provide travellers with the most accurate information and will provide additional updates should information change.

Can I travel to Antigua and Barbuda?

Yes, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda opened it borders in a phased approach beginning June 1st 2020, when the V.C. Bird International Airport began accepting commercial international flights, and the St. John’s Harbour – Nevis Street Pier began the process of clearing yachts. A combination of screening, testing, monitoring and other protective measures are in place, and are designed to protect and safeguard the health of both residents and visitors to Antigua and Barbuda.

Is Antigua and Barbuda the first Caribbean island to open to tourism?

Antigua and Barbuda reopened its borders to international travel on June 1st, 2020, the same day as the United States Virgin Islands.

Which airlines are currently flying to Antigua and Barbuda?

American Airlines began flights daily to Antigua from Miami on June 4, 2020. The flight will arrive into Antigua at 11:15 p.m. until July, when the flight will arrive at 1:50 p.m.

When will other airlines begin flying to Antigua and Barbuda?

Delta, JetBlue, British Airways and interCaribbean have announced plans to resume commercial scheduled flights in July 2020.

Please confirm number of deaths and infections relating to Covid-19, and those recovered to date?

As of June 12th, 2020, Antigua and Barbuda has recorded twenty-six (26) cases of coronavirus, three (3) deaths and twenty (20) persons have recovered.

My country was previously on a list of countries that could not fly to Antigua and Barbuda. Can I now fly to Antigua and Barbuda?

Yes, all travel advisories have been lifted from all countries.

Do I have to have insurance cover to visit?

The purchase of medical insurance is at the passenger’s discretion.

Will I need to have taken a Covid-19 test 48 hours before travel?

While not required, a negative COVID test result is accepted since Antigua and Barbuda is limited in testing capabilities at this time.

What safety measures are in place upon arrival?

A combination of screening, testing, monitoring and other protective measures will be in place. This strategy is intended to protect and safeguard the health of both residents and guests to Antigua and Barbuda.
Some of these safety measures include:
The wearing of masks – It is mandatory to wear a mask while in public spaces in Antigua and Barbuda, and as such, all arriving visitors and residents are required to wear masks. Please ensure you have yours, you will need it for disembarking the aircraft on arrival into Antigua and Barbuda.
A person who fails to comply with these special measures commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00 XCD) or to imprisonment for six (6) months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Completion of the Passenger Registration Form.
Completion of a Health Declaration Form by all arriving passengers
Health Screenings to determine risk posed by that person for transmission of Covid-19
Temperature Checks through thermal cameras
Nasal swab testing for Covid-19 on arrival at ports of entry for hotel guests and those showing symptoms after general assessment performed by the Quarantine Authority
Completion of a Quarantine Directions Form and Quarantining as determined by the Quarantine Authority if deemed a risk. Details of the Quarantine Act can be viewed here
Presence of visible hand-washing and sanitization stations
Adhering to social distancing requirements
Sanitization of luggage by taxi drivers
Limitations on persons travelling within taxis. Taxi operators have also received training from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism in passenger safety and minimizing occupational risks.

What are the entry requirements for Antigua and Barbuda related to Covid-19?

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE), is taking measures to reduce the risk of re-introduction of Covid-19 in Antigua and Barbuda and will also be monitoring persons for signs of Covid-19 as they arrive into and while they are in Antigua and Barbuda.

All arriving passengers will undergo a series of assessments and some may also be subject to a rapid and/or PCR test(s) on arrival pending symptoms and lodging.

All arriving passengers will need to complete a health declaration form to be shared with Port Health Authorities on arrival. A Traveller Accommodation for should also be completed.

All travellers will also be required to sign the Quarantine Directions Form.

Failure to comply with any order, guideline or direction of the Quarantine Authority commits an offence and can be fined EC$10,000 or imprisonment for 6 months in prison, or both. Details of the Quarantine Act can be viewed here

Will I need to Quarantine?

The following persons are subject to quarantine in Antigua and Barbuda

Contacts of laboratory confirmed cases of Covid-19
Contacts of suspected cases of Covid-19
Persons travelling to Antigua and Barbuda from countries where there are outbreaks of Covid-19

How long will I need to Quarantine?

The recommended quarantine period for Covid-19 is fourteen (14) days. However, this may change in the following circumstances

If you test negative for Covid-19 using a test approved by the MOHWE, you may be released from quarantine
If you test positive for Covid-19, using a test approved by the MOHWE you will be moved to isolation.

How quickly are the results returned?

The average turnaround time for results is 48 hours. Note that results can take up to 96 hours.

Where will quarantine take place?

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and The Environment (Quarantine Authority) shall determine whether a person arriving into Antigua and Barbuda shall be quarantined at a private home, at a hotel, yacht or sea vessel, dormitory facility or at a designated government facility that can allow persons to be safely separated from others and monitored for symptoms of Covid-19.

As a returning national, if I am unable to quarantine at home, is there a quarantine facility?

A Government-designated bio-space or hotel bio-secure space is available for returning nationals needing to quarantine away from their intended place of stay. The decision that quarantine must take place at the Quarantine facility is made by Health officials and is done on a case by case basis.

Passengers will be required to pay a small fee to cover the cost of accommodation at the quarantine facility.

However, returning students will be exempted from payment.

If I am in-transit, will I need to quarantine?

You will need to arrange somewhere that you can safely quarantine until your next flight. If unable to do so, Transiting passengers/crew members, who require an overnight stay, will be required to proceed to a Government-designated bio-space or hotel to await departure.

How do Health Officials decide who needs to be tested on arrival?

A series of assessments will be undertaken by the Quarantine Authority or an authorized health officer, including interviews based on the completed Health Declaration Form, temperature checks and the intended place of stay.

Testing is conducted on individuals staying at an approved hotel facility; individuals showing covid-19 related signs or symptoms; or individuals whose health assessment questionnaire raises an alarm. Individuals staying on a yacht have the option of self-quarantine or are tested based on the health assessment outcome.

What type of testing will be conducted?

Ministry of Health Officials will conduct a rapid and/or PCR test(s) on arrival, which involves nasal swabbing.

Will children (under 18 years old) also be tested?

Testing of children (under 18 years old) will not be routinely done. They will be tested only if showing signs or symptoms but with parental consent and this must be managed by a pediatrician.

At what point on arrival will testing take place?

Swabbing will take place at your port of entry, either the V.C. Bird International Airport or the St. John’s Harbour.

How long do these tests take to do and what does it involve?

The nasal swab test takes 15 minutes.

How quickly are the results returned? How are health officials informing travellers of the results?

The average turnaround time for results is 48 hours. Note that results can take up to 96 hours. All travellers are informed of test results either via email or face to face through the Medical Doctor at the hotel.

Is there a cost for the test?

There is a cost of US$100 for the test, payable by all visitors. The cost is payable to the Quarantine Authority.

Where will I be asked to wait prior to and after testing when awaiting results?

Depending on the health screening results, you may be asked to await your test results at the port of entry, or you may be notified of the results the following day at place of stay. The Ministry of Health has indicated that results will be issued in approximately 48 hours, but can take as long as 96 hours.

As a returning national, will I need to take a test?

All arriving passengers will be monitored for Covid-19 in accordance with guidelines of the Quarantine Authority and may undergo coronavirus testing on arrival.

Will I need to quarantine, while I await results?

Yes

If the test is given at the airport, and I test positive, what happens?

Arriving passengers who test positive for Covid-19 will be isolated as determined by the Ministry of Health Officials.

If I test positive on arrival, can I elect to go home on the first available flight?

Once the airlines are aware that the passenger is suffering from any infectious disease, they cannot accept you on flights.

If I test negative what happens?

As soon as you receive a negative test result you are allowed to explore the island at your leisure. Until you receive the result you do need to enjoy the hotel facilities and beach only.

Is there a cost involved in staying at the Infectious Disease Center?

No policy decision has been made at this time to charge for this stay.

How do I get from the airport to my place of stay?

All arriving passengers are required to use the authorized certified ground transportation available outside of the V.C. Bird International Airport Arrivals Terminal. Family and friends will not be allowed to pick-up guests. This measure is in place to allow for effective contact tracing should it be required.

How have taxi operations at the ports of entry changed?

Taxi drivers will sanitize their hands and vehicles after handling and transporting each set of baggage.
There will be limited contact between driver and passengers, and there will be stickers or markings on the floor of larger vehicles to guide and reinforce the message of physical distancing.
Commercial passenger transport vehicles are permitted to carry only 50% of the vehicle seating capacity. For example, a 15-seater vehicle will only be allowed to transport no more than 6 passengers. There is consideration for dedicated transport for senior citizens.
All commercial vehicles used for passenger transport must be kept clean, must be sanitized after each trip, and must be equipped with hand sanitizer. They will be subject to random inspections by Public Health Officers.
Transportation operators must wash or sanitize hands after handling money and should have routine daily temperature checks.

Which Certified accommodations are currently open for guests?

Certified accommodation currently open include: Admirals Inn – Gunpowder Suites, Antigua Village, Siboney Beach Club, Buccaneer Beach Club, Hammock Cove Resort, Heritage Hotel, Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, and Tamarind Hills Villas. A number of villas are also open.

All hotels and villas that are open, have undergone inspection by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism and have all been certified to re-open.

Do you have re-opening dates of other hotels?

Visitors can view the Hotel Reopening Document which provides information on other hotel re-openings.

What can I expect to see at certified accommodations?

All Certified accommodations will be adhering to standards required by the Central Board of Health and the Ministry of Tourism. No activities deemed high-risk will be permitted, and there will be additional focus on sanitization, and the utilization of contactless technology.

Temperature checks may be given upon arrival.

The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association has produced Health and Safety Guidelines for hotels, which can be viewed here.

Will testing also be done at certified accommodations?

The testing takes place at the Government Medical Facility.

Will I be required to wear a mask while at certified accommodations?

Guests are required to wear a face covering when traversing the property where they are likely to be in close proximity to staff and other guests. For beach activities where physical distancing requirements are met, the wearing of a face covering would not be required.

Staff will be wearing resort-approved face coverings while working.

Do I need to wear a mask on the beach in Antigua and Barbuda?

For beach activities where physical distancing requirements are met, the wearing of a face covering would not be required.

If I misplace my mask, where will I be able to purchase masks?

Masks are available for purchase throughout Antigua and Barbuda. Face masks will also be available within hotel properties.

Can yachts visit Antigua and Barbuda?

The Antigua Port Authority is opened to cargo vessels, pleasure craft and ferry services which are required to follow all health guidelines issued by Port Health. Boaters planning to come to Antigua must alert the authorities ahead of time by using the eseaclear.com pre-notification system.

ALL yachts must go through the yacht clearance process at the St. John’s Harbour, Nevis Street Pier. This includes yachties wishing to anchor in English Harbour. Yachters are to anchor between fort James and St John’s Harbour with their Lima flag flying until they are invited to start the clearance process by the Coast Guard or the Port Authority. Yacht Captains will be required to fill out a health declaration form upon arrival, and other pre-entry requirements determined by health officials.

Will yachties be required to take the test?

Yacht Captains will be required to fill out a health declaration form upon arrival.

All passengers will be required to have their temperatures checked, may undergo testing (based on health assessment), and will be required to self-quarantine on their yachts/vessels as directed by health officials.

Are private jet passengers being treated differently to commercial aircraft passengers?

Presently, yes they are treated differently since there is no testing being done at the airport when the private jets arrive. Testing is done only for the commercial American Airlines flight at 11:15 p.m.

Will I be able to go to the beach?

Hotel guests staying at a hotel with a beach, will have access to that beach. All beaches will be accessible once a negative test result has been received.

Beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are open on weekdays and weekends between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the current curfew period, which ends on July 31.

All beach-users should observe physical distancing guidelines.

Will I be able to rent a car on arrival?

You will not be able to rent a car on arrival at the airport as you will need to take the approved transportation. Once at your place of lodging, arrangements can be made for car hire, dependent on coronavirus testing results.

Will land-based and water-based excursions be open?

These will be open in a phased manner after the appropriate inspection, training and certification by the Ministry of Health and Tourism Officials. Travellers are advised that tour and excursion outings should be limited during this phase.

Are restaurants open?

Restaurants are open for take-away and delivery service, and some restaurants have now been certified to reopen for dine-in service. Travellers are advised against dining-in at restaurants during this phase.

Is there a curfew in place?

A curfew is in effect in Antigua and Barbuda until July 31, 2020. During this period, movement is allowed between the hours of 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. During the curfew hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., only essential services will be allowed to operate within public spaces.

Will I be required to wear a mask?

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Public Health Act Dangerous Infections Disease Regulations 2020, requires all residents and visitors, when out in public spaces outside of their homes including to gas stations, supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, doctors’ offices, bakeries and all other essential services, to wear masks that cover their nostrils and their mouths.

A person who fails to comply with these special measures commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00 XCD) or to imprisonment for six (6) months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

Masks are not mandatory while exercising or driving alone within vehicles.

What should I do if I begin to display Covid-19 symptoms?

Should you feel as if you are showing signs of Covid-19, please contact the Covid-19 Hotline at (268) 462-6843 immediately, where a member of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s medical team will take your call. Please follow their instructions after the call. If you are at a hotel, please inform a member of your hotel team, who will advise you on your next steps.

If I am staying for less than the 14-day quarantine period (13 days or less) am I able to leave to travel to the airport?

Yes, you will be able to leave if you are staying for less than the quarantine period.

What are the protocols for departing passengers leaving Antigua and Barbuda, and has the check-in time changed?

A limited number of doors will be used for exit from and entry into the terminal and these will be manned by airport personnel to ensure adherence to protocols.

Only travellers and employees will be allowed entry into the terminal. For the time being, please say your farewells at home.

Mask wearing policy will be strictly enforced.

Travelers are being encouraged to make use of online check in.

Sneeze guards have been installed at varying points of contact with travellers.

Airlines have adopted their own set of protocols and travellers are being encouraged to adhere to their procedures

When is it planned for cruises to arrive and will the same procedures for assessment and testing be in place?

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has not provided details of cruise line schedules nor protocols at this time.

Do you need more assistance?

Please send us an email (info@visitaandb.com), and the team at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will do our best to assist you with any queries you may have related to travel to Antigua and Barbuda during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Ministry of Health, Wellness and The Environment/Government of Antigua and Barbuda regulations.

Antigua & Barbuda Announce Phased Reopening Of Tourism Sector

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA (June 4, 2020) – The Government of Antigua & Barbuda has announced a phased approach to the reopening of the country’s tourism and hospitality industry as they prepare to welcome the first guests back on island today. The Ministry of Health, Wellness & The Environment has determined that the country is now ready to reopen the borders to international and regional travellers, whilst utilising a phased and controlled approach. A series of travel safety protocols are being introduced which impact every element of the visitor experience, from arrivals at ports of entry, through ground transfers, resort accommodations, restaurants, tours and attractions.

A series of travel safety protocols are being introduced which impact every element of the visitor experience, from arrivals at ports of entry, through ground transfers, resort accommodations, restaurants, tours and attractions.

“The health and safety of our residents and our visitors will always be our top priority,” stated the Hon. Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism & Investment. “Despite the severe economic strain on our economy resulting from the closure of our tourism industry, we waited until we were in a position to reassure both our citizens and our prospective guests that every precaution is being taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation experience. The travel safety protocols have been developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, with the full support and cooperation of our stakeholders,”.

“We look forward to welcoming our visitors back to Antigua and Barbuda,” said Colin James, CEO, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “While we look forward to our borders opening, this is still a highly unprecedented time and we realise that we are now entering a new and ever-changing landscape. Priorities in the travel industry have shifted, and our visitors’ priorities are different – we have worked diligently across all sectors on the islands as well as in collaboration with our Caribbean neighbours to prepare for the new normal and to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all”.

During Phase one, the following safety measures will be in place at ports of entry:

● All arriving passengers must have a mask in their possession for use on disembarkation, which must be worn in public areas throughout their stay in Antigua and Barbuda.

● All arriving passengers must complete a health declaration form. Screenings and thermal checks will occur on arrival and passengers may be asked to undergo coronavirus testing on arrival.

● With regard to airport transfers, large commercial passenger transport vehicles are permitted to carry only 50% of the vehicle seating capacity, for example 7 passengers in a 15 –seater vehicle. Vehicles must be kept clean and sanitized after each trip, and all will be equipped with hand sanitizer. All vehicles will be subject to random inspections by public health officers and certified vehicles will clearly display a decal indicating safety approval.

● Passengers arriving by sailing craft (private yachts/Ferry Services) are subject to the guidelines issued by Port Health.

● All Marine Pleasure Craft and Ferry Services will enter ONLY at the Nevis Street Pier.

● All hospitality accommodations to include hotels, resorts, villas and home rentals must satisfy the stipulations of the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment and be certified prior to reopening to welcome visitors.

● Restaurant dining protocols include enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, incorporate physical distancing measures, and will offer a la carte dining and delivery or takeout services, instead of buffet.

ENDS

For Antigua and Barbuda media enquiries, please contact:
Maria Blackman
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com

Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association Publishes Post COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols For Hotels & Restaurants

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (JUNE 3, 2020) – As we prepare to re-open our borders The Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association publishes post COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols for Hotels and Restaurants.

Click on image to view health and safety protocols.

Source: Antigua Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Air Arrivals Show Best Ever Performance For The Month of April 2019

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (May 15, 2019) – Antigua and Barbuda has attracted a record number of visitors for April 2019, with 27,301 visitors arriving into the country during the month. This is according to the latest tourism statistics released from the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism & Investment.

April 2019 saw an increase of 17.06%, with 3,979 more visitors travelling to Antigua, compared with April 2018 when 23,322 visitors vacationed in Antigua and Barbuda.

“A seventeen percent increase in arrivals is remarkable growth, and spells exciting news for Antigua and Barbuda”, said Minister of Tourism, the Honourable H. Charles “Max” Fernandez. We hope to carry forward this momentum through the crucial summer months of May – October with the launch of our global summer marketing campaign #WhatCoolLooksLike. This will all help to increase visitor arrivals and revenue to the destination, during this period.

The #WhatCoolLooksLike campaign currently being rolled out by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, offers cool savings on flights and accommodation for persons booking vacations to Antigua and Barbuda, with opportunities for further savings on tours, excursions and restaurant dining, when they arrive in the country.

Antigua and Barbuda’s peak season generally extends well into April, with flagship activities taking place in the destination, such as the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the Antigua Sailing Week.
During the month of April, the US market lead the way with 11,709 US visitors, arriving into Antigua and Barbuda, recording a 23.43% increase. Antigua and Barbuda also saw increased arrivals from the United Kingdom, Europe and the Caribbean source markets, with increases of 9.92%, 32.75% and 14.81% respectively.

For the year to date, visitor air arrivals into Antigua and Barbuda are showing an increase of 9,327 or 8.59% visitors over the same period 2018. This equates to 117,920 visitors up to April 2019, compared to 108,593 for 2018.

Tourism Officials anticipate that the strong performance so far will continue during the summer, with the new opening of the luxurious Royalton Resort, and the hosting of events on the tourism calendar such as the ‘Play It Out” Concert, Antigua and Barbuda Sports fishing Tournament, The Optimist World Championships, and Antigua’s Carnival: The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival.

*This post originally appeared as a press release from Antigua & Barbuda Tourism website

Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority partners with Traverse for Second Global Influencer Conference

May 7 2019, (St. John’s Antigua) – The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority has partnered with influencer specialist Traverse for the second year running on the Caribbean’s largest influencer conference. Taking place from 7th – 14th May, this year’s conference will build upon the success of 2018. Antigua will welcome over 30 influencers from the UK, Europe, US, Canada and other areas of the Caribbean for a week of interactive workshops, events and island exploration. The conference will have an overarching theme of everyone’s a teacher with some influencers leading workshops sessions for other attendees.

For the conference, the term ‘influencer’ will encompass bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers and professional photographers, all with high engagement and interaction in their market. The goal is to create a social buzz around Antigua and what the island offers visitors and drive summer 2019 bookings to support the recently launched ‘What Cool Looks Like’ summer campaign.

The Tourism Authority has partnered with Elite Island Resorts once again, with influencers staying at Verandah Resort and Spa with the opportunity to experience both Pineapple Beach Club and St James’s Club throughout the week.

Over the week, there will be 14 workshop sessions with speakers from the UK and Europe. The speakers will host inspiring talks and interactive workshops on how the influencers can improve their writing, develop filming and photography skills and much more. There will also be plenty of time to explore the island including learning to sail with the National Sailing Academy, hike Wallings Nature Reserve, partying at Shirley Heights on Thursday night and watching the sunset during the closing party cruise.

For more information on Antigua visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com. For more details on Traverse visit www.traverse-events.com.

*This post originally appeared as a press release from Antigua & Barbuda Tourism website

Antigua and Barbuda Launch New Global Summer Campaign #WHATCOOLLOOKSLIKE

St. John’s, Antigua (March 21, 2019) – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has unveiled its new global summer campaign, #WhatCoolLooksLike, which is expected to convey the trendiness of the destination and its appeal as the ideal summer vacation spot for visitors looking for enjoyable experiences. The campaign draws on what makes the country special and seeks to depict in a creative and engaging way the “coolness” of the destination.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism & Investment, The Honourable Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez has high praises for the creative team, adding that the new campaign is timely and reinforces the messages the islands have been promoting in recent years. “Antigua and Barbuda’s weather during the summer is so much cooler than in other regions, our beaches are serene, and while there are numerous events to enjoy, the pace remains unrushed. The #WhatCoolLooksLike summer campaign brings to life what we have been saying for years, and we thank the team for helping us convey this message in a vivid and imaginative way to potential visitors across the globe. The campaign is being executed in all our major source markets with consumers being enticed to visit Antigua and Barbuda to take advantage of the cool summer savings on offer, as well as the destination’s cool climate,” notes Fernandez.

The multi-faceted summer campaign includes a combination of traditional and digital media and will utilize a variety of tactical trade and consumer activations to ensure the success of the initiative.

The #WhatCoolLooksLike Summer Campaign offers consumers major savings on their vacation to Antigua and Barbuda for travel during the periods April – October, 2019. The savings will be available at participating tour operators, airlines and hotels.

A key element of the campaign is the #WhatCoolLooksLlike Ambassador Program, which comprises a carefully curated selection of local influencers who the Authority believes encompass what “cool” looks like. These Ambassadors have been commissioned to utilize their social media presence and their country, Antigua and Barbuda as their backdrop during the six-month run of the campaign, to share the wealth of awe-inspiring experiences provided in the twin-island state.

Another initiative is the Global Sweepstakes launched today which runs through May 21. Entrants will be asked to opt-in by location in order to upload a video or photo that depicts what cool looks like. At the end of the two-month contest, two random winners will be chosen: One from our overseas source markets will win a complimentary 4-day/3-night stay at the Verandah Resort and Spa in Antigua; while one local will win a 2-night, 3-day stay at the Harbour Island Residences in Jolly Harbour. The local element of this campaign was so designed to allow for local participation and engagement, creating a platform where local Antiguans and Barbudans become advocates for the destination.

The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will host a variety of events, including The Antigua Sailing Week, The Optimist World Championships, The Antigua and Barbuda Sportfishing Tournament, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week and Antigua’s Carnival: The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival, providing additional enticements for visitors to travel this summer.

# # #

ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Voted the World Travel Awards Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination, the twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 17 mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com and follow us on Twitter. http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda Facebook www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda

For information on our #WhatCoolLooksLlike Ambassadors go to: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com

*This post originally appeared as a press release from Antigua & Barbuda Tourism website

Antigua & Barbuda

Anguilla

Barbados

Belize

Cayman Islands

Curacao

Costa Rica

Dominica

Grenada

Jamaica

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Lucia

Sint. Maarten

Martinique

Puerto Rico

St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Turks & Caicos

United States Virgin Islands

International Health Organizations & Resources on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Your Health & Wellbeing

Summary of travel for guests coming on vacation

Can I travel to Antigua and Barbuda?

Is Antigua and Barbuda the first Caribbean island to open to tourism?

Which airlines are currently flying to Antigua and Barbuda?

When will other airlines begin flying to Antigua and Barbuda?

Please confirm number of deaths and infections relating to Covid-19, and those recovered to date?

My country was previously on a list of countries that could not fly to Antigua and Barbuda. Can I now fly to Antigua and Barbuda?

Do I have to have insurance cover to visit?

Will I need to have taken a Covid-19 test 48 hours before travel?

What safety measures are in place upon arrival?

What are the entry requirements for Antigua and Barbuda related to Covid-19?

Will I need to Quarantine?

How long will I need to Quarantine?

How quickly are the results returned?

Where will quarantine take place?

As a returning national, if I am unable to quarantine at home, is there a quarantine facility?

If I am in-transit, will I need to quarantine?

How do Health Officials decide who needs to be tested on arrival?

What type of testing will be conducted?

Will children (under 18 years old) also be tested?

At what point on arrival will testing take place?

How long do these tests take to do and what does it involve?

How quickly are the results returned? How are health officials informing travellers of the results?

Is there a cost for the test?

Where will I be asked to wait prior to and after testing when awaiting results?

As a returning national, will I need to take a test?

Will I need to quarantine, while I await results?

If the test is given at the airport, and I test positive, what happens?

If I test positive on arrival, can I elect to go home on the first available flight?

If I test negative what happens?

Is there a cost involved in staying at the Infectious Disease Center?

How do I get from the airport to my place of stay?

How have taxi operations at the ports of entry changed?

Which Certified accommodations are currently open for guests?

Do you have re-opening dates of other hotels?

What can I expect to see at certified accommodations?

Will testing also be done at certified accommodations?

Will I be required to wear a mask while at certified accommodations?

Do I need to wear a mask on the beach in Antigua and Barbuda?

If I misplace my mask, where will I be able to purchase masks?

Can yachts visit Antigua and Barbuda?

Will yachties be required to take the test?

Are private jet passengers being treated differently to commercial aircraft passengers?

Will I be able to go to the beach?

Will I be able to rent a car on arrival?

Will land-based and water-based excursions be open?

Are restaurants open?

Is there a curfew in place?

Will I be required to wear a mask?

What should I do if I begin to display Covid-19 symptoms?

If I am staying for less than the 14-day quarantine period (13 days or less) am I able to leave to travel to the airport?

What are the protocols for departing passengers leaving Antigua and Barbuda, and has the check-in time changed?

When is it planned for cruises to arrive and will the same procedures for assessment and testing be in place?

Do you need more assistance?