Since August 7th, the Commonwealth of Dominica fully reopened its borders for tourism and hospitality.
Dominica started its reopening in a phased manner. As part of phase one, which commenced in mid-July, citizens could return home. As part of phase two, as of August 7th, all travellers, including non-nationals, can travel to the Nature Island, according to Tourism Minister Denise Charles.
“Dominica’s many nature-based activities, our secluded beaches and long meandering rainforest hikes are perfectly positioned for a socially distanced travel experience. The great outdoors and wholesome cuisine of Dominica offers the perfect antidote to the stresses of this pandemic,” Discover Dominica Authority CEO Colin Piper told Caribbean Journal.
Tourists, however, will be allowed to enter only subject to meeting new entry requirements and pre-and-upon-arrival health protocols. Dominica has set several measures to keep the island in its position as one of the least affected countries in the world. To date, Dominica has had just 18 cases of COVID-19, with no deaths recorded.
Dominica reopening entry requirements
All adventure seekers will have to provide a completed online health questionnaire at least 24 hours of arrival. Once the application is submitted, they will have to show a received notification of the clearance. Additionally, passengers will have to obtain a negative PCR (COVID-19) swab test result recorded within 24 to 72 hours of entrance into the country.
Everyone will also follow thorough hygiene requirements, always wear face masks during their travel process, and maintain safe physical distance. Upon arrival, all passengers will be asked to follow instructions of health officials and undergo necessary safety checks, such as a temperature check, rapid test screening or a health assessment.
If an individual tests positive or is assumed high-risk alert by health experts, they will be required to take the PCR test and execute a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a government facility or a certified hotel at their expense. However, those with a negative result will be allowed to go straight to immigration and customs for screening and have their luggage sanitised.
The priority of safety in the current environment
As of today, Dominica has had no COVID-19 deaths and only 18 cases, all of which have been recovered. “Our priority remains to keep visitors and our residents free from the spread of the virus,” CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority Colin Piper told Caribbean Journal.
Dominica also launched a series of safety training programs. Discover Dominica Authority, in a joint effort with the Environmental Health Department and Fire Department, offered health and safety training to twenty-seven airport taxi service providers as a measure to prevent and control COVID-19.
More airlines operating and hospitality reopening
During a press briefing, Piper said that more airlines would be operating in Dominica as part of phase-two. He noted that Air Antilles will have daily flies from Barbados and will also serve from Point-a-Pitre. Meanwhile, Silver Airways will operate on Thursday and Saturday from San Juan.
The island’s resorts have also confirmed that they have been welcoming tourists from August 7th. Two hotels approved for Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, eco-conscious and luxurious Secret Bay and five-star resort on the doorstep to the island’s natural attraction Cabrits Resort and Spa Kempinski Dominica are COVID-19 approved and opened.
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