CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
As of Monday June 1st, 2020, Dominica reported two new positive cases of the Corona virus, bringing the total number of cases to eighteen. This stemmed from Thirty-Seven (37) cruise ship employees who returned home on May 27th. On arrival thirty-five (35) of the cases tested were negative for the virus, while only 2 tested positive. The two national who are still Asymptomatic with no pre-existing health conditions have been placed in isolation. The 35 returnees who tested negative will remain under mandatory observation for another two weeks.
Since all previous 16 cases were previously cleared and sent home, these two cases are the only cases in Dominica known to have the virus. However, community testing by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and New Health Investments continues.
AIRLINE INDUSTRY
LIAT Extends Suspension of Passenger Services to June 30th
- JOHN’S ANTIGUA, May 29, 2020 – LIAT commercial passenger services will remain suspended until 30th June 2020, due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Julie Reifer-Jones reported that most of LIAT’s network remains closed to commercial passenger traffic. While some territories have announced a reopening date, there are still many protocols to be implemented, such as testing and mandatory quarantine periods, which will allow for the safe movement of passengers. She noted that the airline is closely monitoring the situation across the LIAT network and will resume flights when it is safe for passengers to do so. Click https://www.liat.com/liat-extends-suspension-of-passenger-services-to-june-30th to read more.
CRUISE
Center for Disease Control &Prevention (CDC) renewed the No Sail Order
On April 9, 2020, the Center for Disease Control &Prevention (CDC) renewed the No Sail Order and Other Measures Related to Operations Order signed by the CDC Director on March 14, 2020—subject to the modifications and additional stipulated conditions as set forth in this Order. The Order is published in the Federal Register and effective as of April 15, 2020. The extended Order is in effect until one of the following occurs:
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services declares that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency, or
- The CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations, or
- 100 days have passed from April 15, the date the extended order was published in the Federal Register and went into effect. 100 days from April 15 is July 24. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-07930
Discover Dominica Authority will continue to monitor the situation with Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), along with updates form cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean Pushes Operations Restart to August 1
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has extended its suspension of most of its sailings through July 31, 2020, with the exception of sailings from China, which will be suspended through the end of June.
“After further consulting with our partners at CLIA and in conjunction with the CDC, our global suspension has been extended – all sailings departing on and before July 31st, 2020 will be cancelled. Our goal is to resume operations on August 1st, 2020,” says a statement from RCCL.
https://www.cndenglish.com/cruises/royal-caribbean-pushes-operations-restart-august-1
Norwegian Cruise Lines Extends “No Sail” Order thru July 31
With the CDC’s No Sail Order still in place, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has once again extended its suspension of global cruise voyages for its three cruise brands.
The extension now includes voyages embarking between July 1 and July 31, 2020 for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. https://www.cndenglish.com/cruises/norwegian-cruise-lines-extends-no-sail-order-thru-july-31
Every Norwegian Cruise Line ship to staff a public health officer
Norwegian Cruise Line became the first major cruise line to offer specific details about health and safety protocols that will be implemented once service resumes.
Among them are reduced passenger capacity, onboard social distancing, health monitoring throughout each cruise and full-service buffets.
The cruise line said that the new protocols are “just the start of a wave of new technologies and enhancements we are rolling out, so that you can explore the world with the ultimate peace of mind.” https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/NCL-new-health-protocols
P&O Cruises Extension to the Pause up to and Including 15 October 2020
P&O Cruises is extending its pause in operations until Oct. 15, the company announced in a statement.
P&O Cruises, whose global cruise network includes sailings in the Caribbean, said it was working “in close coordination with all relevant public health bodies” to enhance its health and safety protocols.
“As a business our operational focus is not ‘when can we resume sailing’ but is instead ‘how can we develop a comprehensive restart protocol that will keep everyone on board, our crew and guests, safe and well and still give our guests an amazing holiday?’” said Paul Ludlow, president of P&O Cruises. For more visit https://www.pocruises.com/
TRAVEL
UNWTO Launches Global Guidelines for Tourism Reopening
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released a set of guidelines to help tourism sector emerge stronger and more sustainable from COVID-19.
The guidelines highlight the need to act decisively, to restore confidence and, as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google, to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism.
The guidelines were produced in consultation with the Global Tourism Crisis Committee and aim to support governments and private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis.
Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the United Nations specialized agency warns that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60% and 80%. This puts 100-120 million jobs at risk and could lead to US$ 910 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion lost in exports. Read more on these guidelines at https://www.cndenglish.com/tourism/unwto-launches-global-guidelines-tourism-reopening
Jamaica Is Reopening for Tourism on June 15
Jamaica is officially reopening its borders to ALL international tourists on June 15th. The honorable Edmund Bartlett, head of the Ministry of Tourism, announced on his Facebook Page:
“The Government of Jamaica will open its borders for the repatriation of nationals as of 1 June 2020. On 15 June 2020, the borders will be open for all international travelers.” https://www.traveloffpath.com/jamaica-reopening-to-all-tourists-june-15th-everything-you-need-to-know/
German Market Presents Dominica to Travel Agents
Dominica’s source market representative in German/Austria/Switzerland/BENELUX/NORDICS conducted a destination webinar in cooperation with AGK – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Karibik on June 3rd, 2020, with 50 participating travel agents about the destination. AGK is an association like the CTO (former CTO chapter in Germany) in the German speaking markets. To view the webinar kindly visit the link Hier PPT
USVI Tourism Commissioner wants all Hands-on deck for June 1 Reopening
U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte is calling for all hands-on deck across the Virgin Islands in order for the reopening of the Territory to leisure visitors to be safe and successful.
The Commissioner, who was confident that the Territory is prepared for the reentry of leisure guests, said the government cannot be solely responsible for powering up the Virgin Islands’ economy, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Read more at https://usviupdate.com/2020/05/usvi-tourism-commissioner-wants-all-hands-on-deck-for-june-1-reopening/
Turks & Caicos to Re-open for Tourism July 22nd
Stringent Protocols will Allow for the Safety and Wellbeing of Locals and Travelers.
The Honorable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands announced plans to reopen borders and begin welcoming visitors starting on July 22, 2020.
The specifics of new protocols associated with reopening will be shared in the coming weeks and will address stringent standards, trainings, and personal protective equipment, among other necessary measures. The safety and wellbeing of the local population and international guests remains top priority for the Turks and Caicos Islands. As such, the Premier has been vigilant regarding the continued containment of COVID-19 and finalizing new procedures. For more information and to stay informed on the reopening of the Turks and Caicos Islands, visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com
MEDIA
Dominica has been featured in an article on Bucket List Nature Trips Around the World. The feature was run by Trips to Discover, a popular digital travel magazine with a monthly readership of over 1.6 million people. Visit this link to read more on this article on Dominica. https://www.tripstodiscover.com/bucket-list-nature-trips/
Trips to Discover also featured Dominica “Among the World’s Most Stunning Remote Islands.” The article called, “26 of the World’s Most Stunning Remote Islands” speaks to some of Dominica’s most scenic attributes. https://www.tripstodiscover.com/26-of-the-worlds-most-stunning-remote-islands/22/
For COVID related information on Dominica please visit our Dominica Update site at http://dominicaupdate.com/.
For more information on Dominica, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 767 448 2045. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.DiscoverDominica.com , follow Dominica on Twitter and Facebook and take a look at our videos on YouTube.
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About Dominica: Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures. Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Air travelers can connect to Dominica on Air Antilles, Air Sunshine, Coastal Air Transport, interCaribbean Airways, LIAT, Seaborne Airlines, or WINAIR from the surrounding hubs of Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, St Lucia, the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If travelling by sea, travelers can connect to Dominica on L’Express des Iles ferry service from Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Lucia and on Val’ Ferry from Guadeloupe and Martinique.
