The reopening of the St. Lucia Tourist Industry is fraught with great misgivings as we seek to find a balance between maintaining a “Covid-19 free” country and the provision of livelihoods for thousands of St. Lucians who have been out of employment since the end of March, 2020.

The Chamber has applauded the Government and the Ministry of Health in particular for the manner in which they have guided our nation through the initial phase of the pandemic. We, meaning St. Lucia have been able to contain and restrict the spread of the virus on island and we have not suffered any deaths linked to the virus. From the early scale back of non-essential commercial and social activity, to the more widespread shutdown of the borders, to a gradual and phased opening, we have weathered the storm very well so far.

Now, as we come to where the rubber hits the road, how do we live with Covid-19? Some have argued that we should not open our borders to tourism, particularly the US. Some have argued that “we” do not need tourism, the local economy can carry “us”.  We are no doubt aware that a significant percentage of Chamber Members say they cannot continue to operate in a “zero” environment for more than five months.

We must recall the over 13000 St. Lucians laid off, one week after airlines stopped flying to St. Lucia. Some have been fortunate to receive some finance from the NIC. We need to place this in perspective, over 60% of working St. Lucians earn between $1000 and $1500 a month, the arithmetic is simple. Thus the need to examine how and if we can get the tourism sector started again. This discussion is required in a fair, rational and balanced manner.

The protocols initially advanced by the Government of St. Lucia placed public health and safety appeared to be paramount. In fact, the initial protocols, requiring travelers to show evidence of a negative Covid-19 test that had been taken 48 hours before the date of travel has been decried as excessively onerous and impractical. In fact the airlines industry has made known that they will not be interested in screening passengers prior to the passenger boarding the plane. And the market has generally rejected this.  

The Government of St. Lucia has amend this requirement to a negative test 7 days prior to travel, in addition to testing on arrival, along with temperature checks at arrival on the airports. Additionally protocols to limit the interaction between arriving visitors and locals have been established by limiting the number of vehicles permitted to transport guests as well as the number of locations (hotels) where guests can stay, all in an effort to limit the spread of the virus and make contact tracing easier.

The protocol established for enterprises; hotels, taxis, restaurants, tours etc., have been described as onerous and rigorous as well by both travel experts and the private sector players. Again, in the Chamber view reinforcing the perception that Health and Safety of the populace has been given priority in terms of how the reopened sector can operate. The requirements are so rigorous that complaints regarding the costs of meeting these measures abound, as well as arguments regarding the effectiveness of the measures in limiting spread to suggest that the standards, conditions and requirements set by the Government Authorities should be lowered.

The Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce is impressed with the rigor of the protocols and the manner in which the health and safety of staff and other citizens have been taken account of and urges the industry players not to push back against the standards. Do not seek to have the standards lowered and increase the exposure of the populace to the spread of the virus. In fact, we believe that concern for the welfare of staff and the wider public is what is needed. We understand these will come at a cost. The industry players should support the Government and country as we seek to walk this fine line. The Industry should be seeking to surpass the standards set to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff and the wider populace ensuring that there is minimum spread. We also suggest that the sector review the existing health insurance plans which their staff have through them to ensure that they are sufficient in the current circumstances. In some industries persons are calling for hazard pay for workers who are on the front line.

The Government has also outlined a deliberate and strategic approach to expanding the number of players who will be able to offer accommodation services and the nature of activities that tourists will be permitted to engage in. The strategy sets out clearly, what events and eventualities, (quantitatively and qualitatively) trigger further opening up of the sector, as well as what causes a scale back or reversion to a more restrictive phase. Again, the profound and deliberate nature of this plan builds the confidence of the Chamber in the approach being promoted.

We also note the assertive work being done as far as preparing and expanding the capacity of our health sector to treat with any spread of the virus. We welcome the efforts to build on the primary health care system by the establishment of the respiratory clinics and conversion of VH to Respiratory Hospital. The presence of the Cuban Medical support team assumes even greater significance at this time.

The Chamber thus, notwithstanding its profound and genuine concern regarding the exposure of our citizens to the COVID-19 Virus when the borders are opened to tourism, supports the approach being advanced by Government on this matter. We urge government to remain vigilant. Continue to monitor international developments, (US) maintain and ensure the institution and practice of the highest level of protocols for operators who wish to participate in the industry, at the initial and other phases. It would also be important to consult with the various national institutions and keep the entire country informed of developments as we move along this difficult but necessary path.