Saint Lucia and the Dominican Republic have unveiled measures to enable more overseas visitors to return to the islands.
As the winter-sun holiday season approaches, Saint Lucia’s government has announced a further easing of restrictions for visitors as part of its phased re-opening programme.
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic has set out its tourism recovery plan which will see new measures from the end of September, including Covid-19 tests for randomly selected travellers upon arrival. Once this measure is in place, there will be no more requirement for a negative Covid-19 test before arrival.
In Saint Lucia (pictured), visitors are now permitted to stay in up to two Covid-certified properties for the duration of their stay.
Guests staying at Covid-certified properties can take part in water-based activities such as scuba diving and sailing, following the protocols put in place at the hotels.
Saint Lucia Tourism Authority said the island has had only 26 cases of coronavirus and no deaths.
The following accommodation providers are Covid-19 certified: Anse Chastanet; Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa; Ladera; Caille Blanc Villa, Cap Maison, Jade Mountain; Marigot Bay Resort, Spa and Marina (scheduled to open in October); Sandals Grande St. Lucian; Serenity at Coconut Bay; Stonefield Resort Villas; Sugar Beach – A Viceroy Resort, Tet Rouge and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort (scheduled to open October 8).
Several other hotels and resorts are on track to receive certification and will be opening soon.
Tourism minister Dominic Fedee said: “We have safely welcomed more than 2,000 visitors to Saint Lucia since reopening July 9, and to know that they have had a positive holiday experience here gives us optimism for the future. Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, we continue to closely manage the situation, which is why we have been able to ease some of the restrictions at this time.”
Entry requirements for arrivals continue to include the completion of a pre-arrival registration form and a negative Covid-19 PCR test up to seven days before the date of travel.
In the Dominican Republic, the president Luis Abinader Corona is leading the Plan for the Responsible Recovery of Tourism.
New internationally certified health protocols will apply from the end of September, and will include a travel assistance plan for tourists in hotels.
This will provide free cover for emergencies, accommodation for prolonged stays and costs for changing flights in the event of an infection.