“The situation with the spread of COVID is not limited to Europe and North America. Right here in the Caribbean we are seeing more countries having community spread. The most recent would have been Saint Lucia [which] within the last week, I’m told, would have had over 34 new cases of COVID. So it’s evident that Saint Lucia now has community spread,” said PM Browne last Saturday.

The Antigua/Barbuda prime minister explained that the reality of community spread of COVID-19 in countries across the region “has forced a change in the travel arrangements within CARICOM. So whereas a few weeks ago we had agreed on a CARICOM travel bubble, in effect the bubble has burst.”

Last Friday, Grenada opted out of the travel bubble, citing the inability of participating countries to agree on common protocols.

The Spice Isle will now require anyone coming into the country to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test and quarantine for seven days.

Montserrat had already indicated that it would not participate in the CARICOM travel bubble over safety concerns as according to Premier Joseph Farrell, his government was concerned that Montserrat could be exposed to the disease by persons entering the country from high risk countries.

Barbados yesterday announced that effective today, November 3, Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba have joined Jamaica, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago to the list of those deemed high risk for COVID-19 by health authorities in Barbados.

All high risk passengers are required to quarantine at a designated hotel or approved villa at their own expense or free of charge at a government facility, up to the time of a second test, which will be four to five days after the first test.

Passengers from medium risk countries are monitored for seven days after arrival and must also undergo a second test within four to five days.

 Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis, have been categorised as very low risk countries.

Persons from low risk countries are strongly advised to have a negative test taken within five days of arrival, and those who arrive without it will be tested on arrival.

Those coming to Barbados from very low risk countries do not require a test for entry.

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