Aruba, one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations, has launched a series of aggressive measures to contain and prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus. 

The Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba has officially restricted all non-residents of Aruba from entering the island (although non-residents have been allowed to leave the island). 

On Thursday, Aruba stepped up its Coronavirus fight, mandating that all establishments close at 8 PM every day through March 31, 2020. 

That includes exceptions for restaurants offering drive-through or delivery, both of which will also close at 10 PM. 

Dining rooms will close at 8 PM. 

On March 19, all of Aruba’s casinos, movie theaters and gyms will have been closed, while all group sporting events will also have been canceled. 

“We understand this causes disruption to your travel plans, but your safety and the wellbeing of our locals continues to be our number one priority,” the Aruba Tourism Authority said in a statement. 

It’s a strong move by the destination both to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

More and more Caribbean destinations have been implementing aggressive measures, including similarly popular destinations like the Cayman Islands and Guadeloupe and, more recently, the region’s most-visited destination, the Dominican Republic, which has shut down its borders for a 15-day period. 

“As you can imagine, this decision does not come without serious consideration as tourism is the lifeline of the Aruban people,” the Aruba Tourism Authority said on its Web site. “However, our highest priority is the health and well-being of our people and our visitors.”

While the situation has put many hotels in the region in a difficult position, Aruba’s top hotel, the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, has launched a clever program to “bring” Aruba to travelers. 

It’s called #bringingbucutitoyou, and the aim is to “remind everyone of the beauty of Aruba and where they may travel to next.”

“Aruba is an island population completely dependent upon the tourism industry and at present, tourism is halted,” said Ewald Biemans, owner and CEO of Bucuti. “Please visit us as soon as you can and until then, enjoy our social media posts of our associates, who are sending the message that they are missing you.”  

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It’s not been easy for destinations to address the uncertainty posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but one Caribbean country’s tourism authority has put out an important message. 

Balancing both the need to address the current situation and ensure that travelers keep the destination top of mind for the future, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin C. James released a statement Thursday on COVID-19. 

“The safety and health of our citizens and visitors like you are of great importance to us,” James began. 

The ABTA has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and all relevant governmental departments and partners to ensure that measures are in place to both detect and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus on the island, James said. 

Antigua and Barbuda has activated its health protocols and enacted the relevant travel advisories, he said. 

James said that if travelers’ plans had been affected, “we encourage you to contact your travel advisor, hotel or airline representative to reschedule your trip for a future date when we will all be ready for that much-needed getaway.”

In a strong message by one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism directors, James addressed both the destination’s efforts to address the pandemic and an important message about the future. 

It’s an important exemplar for other Caribbean tourism boards to follow: address the current uncertainty but also remind travelers that the Caribbean isn’t going anywhere. 

“We want you to have the utmost confidence that the two most beautiful islands in the world, Antigua and Barbuda, and our warm friendly people, will still be here and ready to welcome you as soon as you’re ready to travel again.”

Watch the full address below.

For more, visit Antigua and Barbuda. 

— CJ

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Another Caribbean island has implemented strong measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus called COVID-19. 

The island of Anguilla is set to close its airport and seaport beginning Friday, March 20 for at least the next 14 days. 

The move does not include the movement of goods, according to the Anguilla Governor’s Office. 

“The Government remains unwavering in its commitment to protect the safety and well being of all residents,” Anguilla Governor Tim Foy said.

Anguilla is also keeping its schools closed through April 3. 

— CJ

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In a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Dominican Republic is closing its land, sea and air borders for 15 days, the country’s President, Danilo Medina, announced. 

The move takes effect at 6 AM on Thursday, March 19, according to a statement from President Medina.

The only exception to the sweeping measure will be for the departure of foreign citizens who want to return to their countries of origin, and the arrival of planes, cargo ships and fuel ships to “guarantee supplies to the population,” Medina said.

The country has also suspended events and meetings of all kinds for 15 days. 

That includes national and international events, public shows, cultural, artistic and sporting events and the suspension of commercial activities. 

As with similar plans around the world, the country will allow restaurants to operate, but only for pick-up and home delivery of food orders, Medina said.

Only businesses “dedicated to basic activities for the population,” like supermarkets, fuel stations and pharmacies, will remain open. 

The country has also suspended flea markets and other gatherings. 

“We are continuously monitoring the situation, both in the cases present in the country and in the rest of the world, in order to be able to make proportional decisions at all times, as the situation evolves,” Medina said in his statement.

It’s a significant move for a country that is by far the most popular tourist destination in the entire Caribbean region, but one that is precisely the sort of aggressive, containment step that the region’s countries need to implement to prevent the coronavirus from further incursion.

Several high-profile destinations have implemented similar measures, most notably Cayman and Guadeloupe and other destinations that have put in strong travel restrictions like Aruba and Curacao.

— CJ

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