CTO News

Martinique Aimé Césaire Airport: New Conditions for Access to Passenger Terminal

In order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to protect the health and safety of all
concerned, SAMAC is implementing new terms and conditions to access the Passenger
Terminal.

These conditions will come into effect this Thursday, August 27th, 2020 until further notice.
Access to the Passenger Terminal will be exclusively reserved for:
▪ Passengers with a ticket for same day departure. Entries will now be filtered, and passengers
directed to the terminal gates based on the company on which they travel. Waiting and accompanying
persons are therefore invited to stay outside the Passenger Terminal
▪ Clients of the Pharmacy and medical Centre patients will now have to show valid reason to access
these areas
▪ Airline agency clients
▪ Users of the platform upon presentation of the access badge
▪ Employees in shops and services who do not have badges, upon presentation of proof of identity.
(employer’s certificate, professional card, etc.)

Reminder of current health measures
Wearing a mask is mandatory for all passengers and users on entering the terminal building.
Children under 11 years of age are exempted from wearing masks.
All persons entering Martinique must imperatively submit to the RT-PCR test by screening for
Coronavirus 72 hours before boarding and present a negative result to the check-in counters. In
addition, it is strongly recommended to perform a second test 7 days following arrival on the territory.

SAMAC also reminds users of the airport that hydro alcoholic gel dispensers and specific garbage
cans specially dedicated to the disposal of masks, gloves and tissues were installed in the passenger
terminal building and are available to all.
The barrier gestures remain essential to prevent the spread of the virus. It is the responsibility of each
and everyone to abide by these recommendations.
SAMAC, manager of the platform, reserves the right to develop and adjust accordingly the passenger
terminal access systems in accordance with the evolution of the health situation and the measures
imposed by the competent authorities.

Press Contact :
Stéphanie PLATON-PAGESY
Communication Officer
[email protected] – +596 596 42 40 71

Pure Grenada Recognized as a Safe Travels Destination by WTTC

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – 27^th August, 2020 – The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recognized the Government of Grenada’s efforts in implementing enhanced health and safety measures and creating a safe, gradual plan in restarting its Tourism industry. In a letter written by President and CEO of the WTTC Gloria Guevara to the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA), she thanked the GTA for implementing health and safety measures in line with, “WTTC global Safe Travels protocols, developed to optimize sector wide recovery efforts by rebuilding confidence among travellers.”

This vote of confidence was given after the GTA submitted its health and safety protocols developed for the six subsectors of Tourism to the WTTC for review. The subsectors include: Attractions, Food and Beverage, Accommodation, Transportation, Tourism Services and Watersports. The World Tourism body approved the protocols and has now given its blessing for Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean to use its WTTC Safe Travels Stamp.

The Safe Travels stamp is the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for Travel & Tourism, designed to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks. Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is now part of a fast-growing global network of important destinations that have committed to rebuilding confidence among travellers, and within the sector, so “Safe travels” can be enjoyed.

Speaking on the positive news, CEO of the GTA Patricia Maher said, “ We are delighted to be recognized internationally by the WTTC. The Ministry of Health, Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Grenada Tourism Authority have worked closely together to develop protocols for a new way of doing business in the Tourism industry and train and certify more than 1800 personnel. Our partnership has brought us this recognition.”

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen commented, “We are elated that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) have accepted our protocols and they are of a global standard. This is an important message to share with our visitors as we resume commercial flights to the Maurice Bishop International Airport. We will use the Safe Travels stamp to showcase to the world that we are aligned with the WTTC Safe Travels protocols.”

Destination management authorities and companies using the stamp have confirmed that they have implemented, and will ensure ongoing compliance with, the Safe Travels protocols. The stamp is an important and powerful signal to travellers, workers and other stakeholders in the sector that Grenada has a consistent global approach to health and safety.

Bahamas Tourism Ministry’s Statement on Updated COVID-19 Measures

NASSAU, Bahamas, August 26, 2020 – In a continued effort to ensure the safety for all in The Bahamas during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis issued updated measures and protocols for New Providence, Grand Bahama Island and various Family Islands.

New Providence
Based on new data presented by the Ministry of Health, the recent Emergency Order lockdown placed on New Providence will be lifted beginning 5 a.m., Monday, August 31. Businesses in New Providence will be allowed to resume with appropriate physical distancing measures including but not limited to:
• Outdoor dining, curbside and delivery service at restaurants and retailers
• From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily, beaches will be open to the public

Please visit opm.bs.gov for full details related to the restriction lift as well as a reminder of the current lockdown measures.

Grand Bahama & Various Family Islands
The following emergency order provisions have been put into place for Grand Bahama and various Family Islands including Andros, Crooked Island, Acklins, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Exuma, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Mayaguana, Inagua and Abaco:
• A mandatory curfew is in place from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. daily. Residents are not permitted to leave their homes during this period, except to seek urgent medical care at a hospital.
• Hotel facilities and services, including indoor/outdoor dining, casinos, gyms and spas are prohibited.
• All business and commercial activity will be closed and employees required to work remotely, with the exception of essential businesses including grocery stores, pharmacies, water depots, gas stations and hardware stores. These businesses are permitted to operate between the hours of 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Commercial banks and credit unions may also open Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Businesses that can provide curbside, online or delivery services can operate, including retail. Restaurants can open with outdoor dining, takeout, delivery and drive-through services, except for Fish Fry restaurants.
Family Islands such as Chub Cay, Long Cay, Long Island, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and San Salvador will continue with no curfew, but must abide by physical distancing and sanitation protocols.

Please visit opm.gov.bs for full details related to the emergency order.

Implications for Travellers:
While The Bahamas is looking forward to safely welcoming visitors to its shores, the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors remain of upmost importance. All travellers to The Bahamas will be required to adhere to all protocols and restrictions provided.

Requirements for entering The Bahamas include:

• All travellers must apply for a Bahamas Health Visa at travel.gov.bs by selecting the International option and completing all required fields.
• Effective Tuesday, September 1, all incoming visitors, as well as returning citizens and residents, must show proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival. All test results must be uploaded when applying for a Bahamas Health Visa.
o The only applicants who are not required to provide a COVID-19 test are:
– Children under the age of ten (10)
– Pilots and crew who remain overnight in The Bahamas
• All visitors and returning residents are required to quarantine for 14-days upon arrival into The Bahamas.
o Travellers are permitted to quarantine at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations (like Airbnb), as well as on a private boat.
o Hotel guests are permitted to access all available amenities on property.
o All persons must submit to monitoring and install the Hubbcat App on their cellular phones for purposes of contact tracing.
o After the 14 days, all persons intending to remain in the country may be required to complete another COVID-19 test, at their own expense, to exit quarantine.

Full details on entry protocols to The Bahamas can be found on bahamas.com/travelupdates. For additional details and the Prime Minister’s recent remarks and statements, please visit opm.gov.bs.

The Bahamas has remained diligent in efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case. Due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change. The health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority, and public health officials are closely monitoring indicators to determine whether more or less stringent measures will be required going forward.

CDC Reduces Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 Rating To Level 1

CASTRIES, August 24, 2020 – Saint Lucia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring a safe and strategic approach to the reopening of the economy, is receiving rave reviews the world over. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has now reduced Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 rating to the lowest, Level 1, as one of only eight countries globally, noting that “over the last 28 days, new cases of COVID-19 in Saint Lucia decreased or stabilized.”

An August 21, highlight by AOL captioned, “How much it costs to live in 15 COVID-free countries” has rated Saint Lucia as the #2 country in the world that could provide you with a gorgeous and safe place to wait out the pandemic.

Saint Lucia welcomed its first commercial flight on July 9, with a measure of strictly enforced protocols in place which include pretesting within seven days of arrival in the destination, mandatory screening on arrival, use of certified taxis and hotels, a 14-day quarantine period for non-bubble countries, the wearing of masks in public and observing physical distancing. 

“This is even more validation of our country’s success in the management of COVID-19,” said Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet. “We have to keep following our protocols and ensuring that pre-testing is done before visitors arrive in Saint Lucia. This takes the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders in the travel industry.”

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism has praised the endorsement as timely as it encourages visitors to enjoy an extended stay on a relatively affordable budget.

Chairman of the National COVID-19 Response Committee and Minister for Tourism, Honourable Dominic Fedee said, “It is an honour to see that the Strategic approach to responsible reopening the tourism sector, dedication and sacrifice of the Government, frontline workers and the cooperation of the public is topical in international jurisdictions. All measures by the government are geared are ensuring that livelihoods are restored while keeping local communities protected from the virus.”

The Government of Saint Lucia through the Caribcation brand is working assiduously to introduce its extended stay program where visitors would be able to work, stay and play, all while enjoying Saint Lucia’s culture. For the period of July to August 2020 to date, Saint Lucia has welcomed 5,897 travelers through the approved ports of entry, of which 4,413 are visitors.

In projecting the trajectory towards phase two estimated to commence in October, the government and Health Authorities continue to chart a deliberate course that would continue to safeguard the population. With careful measures in place, as of Monday July 17, more water-based activities have opened including diving and snorkeling.

The public is reminded to follow all travel and on island protocols as a continued measure in mitigating the risk of COVID-19 into local communities. Residents too are reminded to be vigilant and report any known infringements to the 311 hotline or the nearest police station.

To access Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 Management Protocol and for prefilling of the Mandatory Travel Registration Form, please visit; www.stlucia.org/covid-19.