The United States government has extended its restriction on travel to Mexico, Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf said.
The move limits non-essential travel to Mexico — including tourism. and will remain in effect until at least June 22.
“Non-essential travel will not be permitted until this administration is convinced that doing so is safe and secure,” Wolf said.
The move included a similar restriction on travel to Canada, part of the continued fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We appreciate our partnership with Mexico and Canada in ensuring that North America is working together to combat the ongoing global pandemic,” he said.
Mexico tourism officials, particularly in the Mexican Caribbean hub of Quintana Roo, had signaled a desire to begin reopening their destinations to tourists as soon as next month. Indeed, several resorts in Mexico, including Palace Resorts’ portfolio of all-inclusive hotels, have been planning to reopen June 1.
Aruba has signaled its intent to reopen its borders for tourism as early as June 15, and now the destination has unveiled a stringent new health and safety program called the “Aruba Health and Happiness Code.”
The cleaning and hygiene program will be mandatory for all tourism-related businesses across the country, according to a statement from the Aruba Tourism Authority.
“As we prepare to reopen our borders, it is critical to evolve and innovate as a tourism destination to protect our local community and future travelers once they reach our shores,” said Danguillaume Oduber, Aruba’s Minister of Tourism, Public Health and Sport. “We want all visitors to feel reassured in traveling to our One happy island, knowing we worked together as a nation to implement the highest health and safety protocols through every step of their journey.”
The certification will include a seal of approval “displayed prominently on all tourism-related businesses.”
The program will begin at the airport, where the Aruba Airport Authority has been working to adapt its own practices for the return of tourists.
That will include new measures like screening, temperature checks, on-site medical professionals, social distance markers, mandatory PPE training for staff and other safeguards at the airport.
It’s not yet clear what specific requirements Aruba will have for inbound travelers; the first Caribbean destination to announce such a plan was Saint Lucia, which will require, among other conditions, a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry.
The Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association has launched a “Best Practices Guide” for hotels, which will have to change a number of their protocols, from adding plexiglass barriers at desks to using “digital” keys to contactless check-in.
Aruba officials said the protocols would also extend to Aruba’s national parks and attractions; that will include a permanent ban of ATVs from protected areas.
For now, Aruba has said its reopening for inbound travel is scheduled between June 15 and July 1.
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With the exception of three routes from New York, all of the service is being operated out of Delta’s hub in Atlanta.
Two of the routes, from Atlanta to Bonaire and Atlanta to Aruba, are slated to start in the second half of June, the company said.
“While the June schedule is significantly reduced in comparison to last year, customers will see the return of several major routes, both U.S. domestic and international, which were previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Delta said in a statement. “Specific restart dates will vary for previously suspended routes due to the lifting of travel restrictions and other operational requirements.”
All other routes will begin operating before that, a company spokesperson confirmed to Caribbean Journal.
The flights include weekly Saturday service to Bonaire and St Croix.
The relaunch also includes “less than daily service” to destinations including Bermuda, Turks and Caicos, Punta Cana, San Juan, St Maarten and St Thomas.
Daily service will run from Atlanta to Montego Bay and Nassau.
With the wide-ranging impacts of the pandemic, though, Sheer Rocks and its sister eatery, Catherine’s Cafe, had to adapt.
Now, the restaurants’ parent company Rocks Group has taken the restaurants mobile, with “Rocks Box.”
The food and wine takeaway and delivery service actually began life as a subscription wine service several years ago.
Now, it’s come to life as an alternative to in-restaurant dining.
Yes, Sheer Rocks’ famous wine selection is available.
“We want our customers to be able to enjoy their favorite Rocks Group food and drinks, from the safety and comfort of their home,” said Rachel Rocks of Rocks Group. “We have created options for those looking to eat ready-made Rocks Group food, those looking to save it for later, and those looking for the basics to create their own masterpieces with some Rocks Group essentials.”
The offering includes ready-to-eat meals, meal kits, deli items and the company’s beloved wine selection — along with bottled cocktails, too.
And the menu is classic Sheer Rocks quality, from dishes like Truffle Mac ’n Cheese to poke bowls to magret duck breasts and hand-dived king scallops.
Sheer Rocks delivers to areas including English Harbour, St John’s and Jolly Harbour.
