Author: arroyolarue@gmail.com

In place of the annual celebration, this year’s Puerto Rican Day march in Allentown focuses on oppression, resistance

… in a rendition of the Puerto Rican national anthem “La Borinquena,” … week marks an anniversary of Puerto Rican resistance. On July 25, … S. invaded and seized Puerto Rico as part of the … marked one year since former Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello announced …

Powered by WPeMatico

New Prescreening Portal for Travelers to the US Virgin Islands

 

The US Virgin Islands, which reopened for tourism last month and has updated some of its protocols for incoming visitors, has launched a new pre-screening portal for all travelers visiting the destination. 

In other words, if you’re planning to visit the US Virgin Islands, the portal is the first step. 

The goal of the new interface is to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to the USVI Department of Tourism. 

The new portal, which can be found here, “facilitates pre-arrival processing, thereby improving efficiency, reducing delays, and providing a more seamless traveler experience,” according to a statement. 

The portal comprises a series of pages, including General Information, Terms and Conditions, Traveler Information, and the COVID-19 Traveler Screening Tool. 

All travelers from “highly-impacted areas” must upload their recent COVID-19 test results. 

What does “highly-impacted” mean?

All travelers aged 15 and older whose home state (state of residence) has a COVID-19 positivity rate greater than 10 percent will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test result received within five days prior to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Right now, that includes states like Florida, California and Texas, for example.

Travelers can also submit positive COVID-19 antibody test results received within four months of travel to the USVI.

The information is then processed within 48 hours, and a certification code is issued. 

The USVI Department of Tourism said that, for most travelers, the portal screening and certification would eventually replace the existing manual procedure, which requires the physical completion and review of the COVID-19 Traveler Screening Tool at the Territory’s ports of entry.

“Our team has been working tirelessly to adapt to a rapidly changing operational environment in this ‘Open Doors’ phase of the pandemic,” said Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte. “And we continue to update our practices and procedures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.” 

For more, visit the USVI Travel Advisory.

Or visit the Prescreening Portal.

— CJ

The post New Prescreening Portal for Travelers to the US Virgin Islands appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Radisson Opens a New Hotel in Mexico

 

Radisson has opened its newest hotel in Mexico: the Radisson Hotel Tapatio Guadalajara in Jalisco, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The new hotel is the product of a $2 million renovation of the former El Tapatio Hotel and Resort. 

The hotel, which opened its doors this week, has launched under the new Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. 

“This premier destination near Guadalajara delivers everything a modern traveler has come to expect out of their hospitality experience, including an emphasis on safety in every facet of its operations,” said Frances Gonzalez, vice president, Operations, Latin America, Radisson Hotel Group. “The hotel’s inviting atmosphere blends work and leisure in the way only a Radisson property can. We are thrilled to welcome visitors to this stunning property in Jalisco, Mexico as we continue expanding our footprint throughout Latin America.”

The hotel, which has a total of 127 rooms and suites, has amenities including a pool, a fitness center, 24-hour room service and an on-site eatery called Los Laureles. 

“Bringing our vision of world-class hospitality to life alongside Radisson Hotel Group has been an incredible experience,” said Victor Valdez, the hotel’s Operations director. “The health, safety and well-being of our guests and team members is our top priority. We’re committed to making Radisson Hotel Tapatio Guadalajara the perfect complement to every traveler’s visit to Jalisco – whether they’re exploring all the wonders of Guadalajara, or contributing to an important business meeting, we’re here to serve our guests with our Yes I Can! spirit.”

— CJ

The post Radisson Opens a New Hotel in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Dispute on Philadelphia-bound flight leads to fight in Puerto Rico airport

… the terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this past Monday.
Spirit said … completely inappropriate. We thank the Puerto Rico Police Bureau for their intervention …

Powered by WPeMatico

Barbados braces for tropical storm Gonzalo’s landfall

Caribbean now on hurricane alert

Moving across the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to make a fixed approach towards the Caribbean as stated in a report by the Associated Press

According to the National Hurricane Center’s recent update, Gonzalo was moving 14 mph (22 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph). It was spotted about 645 miles (1,040 kilometers) east of the southern Windward Islands.

Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been issued a hurricane watch while a tropical storm warning is in effect for numerous places, such as St. Lucia, Tobago and Grenada. Weather forecasters stated that Gonzalo could bring 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 centimeters) of rain.

Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, has urged Barbadians to prepare for Tropical Storm Gonzalo, which is expected to make landfall in the country early Saturday.

In a press conference last Wednesday, she tells the press, “I’m happy that the Ministry of Public Works and other Ministries spent the day literally doing the assessments and making adjustments [in preparation for Gonzalo].”

“But in every house, we know what – be prepared rather than be sorry. And I ask you, therefore, without panic, to be able to ensure that you are ready for this storm,” Mottley further states.

The Hurricane Center further stated that those in the Windward Islands should monitor the storm as its approach is expected to reach the islands late Friday and Saturday. With forecasts revealing chances that Gonzalo could further strengthen and potentially become a hurricane, the storm is expected to later subside as it moves into the Caribbean Sea. If conditions permit it, Gonzalo could be the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2020 season.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo broke records, as it became the Atlantic’s earliest ‘G’-named storm. The previous title was held by Tropical Storm Gert, which formed on July 24, 2005. Up until this moment, Tropical Storms Cristobal, Danielle, Edouard and Fay also made history for being the earliest named Atlantic storm for their alphabetic order.

The post Barbados braces for tropical storm Gonzalo’s landfall appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

Powered by WPeMatico