American Airlines has announced that its last service operating between Miami International Airport (MIA) and St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (SVD) will be on next Wednesday, April 1, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The service is set to resume operating on June 4.
However this is subject to change based on the development of the global situation.
“The situation is evolving rapidly and non-residents of the United States currently booked to travel are advised to contact their travel agent or airline contact to make the necessary changes to their ticket as they may not be allowed to board,” the Tourism Authority said in a statement on Wednesday.
Additional entry measures have been set up by the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as a response to the pandemic.
SVG confirmed its first imported case of the virus on Wednesday, March 11 and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said that several meetings of officials have taken place since then to address the issue, the authority said.
As of Monday, March 23, all travellers arriving to SVG from the following countries are now required to quarantine for 14 days: Iran, China, South Korea, Italy, United States of America, United Kingdom, European Union Member Countries.
All persons with a travel history including countries not listed will only be allowed into SVG once no symptoms of COVID-19 are exhibited.
In addition, upon entering the country, all persons will be issued a card with the COVID-19 hotline number and indicating that they are required by law to report any symptom, which may develop after entry and during their stay.
Measures setup for Vincentians to stay safe include the Prime Minister announcing that he has also given approval to hire between 20 and 25 additional Vincentian nurses “to strengthen surveillance, maintenance and management of COVID 19 especially at airports and other ports of entry”.
“The Prime Minister also urged Vincentians to take proper cautions to keep themselves and others safe. A hotline has also been introduced — 534 – HEAL (4325) — so that persons can call to get information or to report possible cases of the virus,” the press statement said.
Travel to the United States has been suspended for all aliens who have been physically present in the following countries, 14 days prior to intended entry into the US: Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom
More information on the COVID-19 situation in SVG can be found here: http://health.gov.vc/health/index.php/c
Another blow to the tourist economy, I am pretty sure Marriott will be backing out of the so called hotel deal in SVG, yet govt is keeping hush on this matter. Local longtime hotels are struggling with no apparent help from the comrade, its all going down jn flames now, it will take 10 yrs to recover from the world economic downturn.
We returned from Palm Island in SVG last Thursday. Closing the borders is the best thing they can do for their people. If there were to be an epidemic there it would likely result in more deaths than the usual ratio due to the lack of an abundance of sanitary products and especially fresh water for hand washing. Yes they rely on tourism and hotel staff will no doubt be impacted but it will come back strong when this passes. SVG and it’s people is one of the still idyllic places on earth. I wish them to be safe.
Tourism worldwide will take some time to get back in shape. Many people on cruise ships learned a hard lesson that will not disappear with promises or bribes. Japan waited until the announced the cancellation of sport project and now they are asking people to hibernate. It’s too late.
In regards to the 80 people just landed from Miami on AA flight…..Absolutely crazy that Gonsalves isn’t COMPLETELY isolating these passengers in a DESIGNATED place under heavy monitoring. If these people make contact with others, even without having symptoms, they can still be carriers of the virus.They may also be incubating the disease yet not be yet showing symptoms. And for SVG today to be the ONLY country in the world with no cases of Coronavirus, why oh why would the Government let people in from America which has the MOST cases of the virus ?? and then trust these people to go about their merry way ? They will take vans, shake hands, hang out, touch others ….and next thing you know you have a major catastrophic epidemic on your hands. Which we know the SVG health system can NOT handle. EVERYONE from ANY country that enters SVG. should be isolated….What Gonsalves is allowing is sheer Madness. Wait and see……