BHTA Urges Public to Keep Playing It Safe

Robert Sands, President of The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) in response to the announcements made by Prime Minister Minnis in his Communication to the House of Assembly today, April 21, 2021 stated; “The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association is fully supportive of The Bahamas Government’s recent decision to make changes to our travel protocols, for external travel into The Bahamas and within our archipelago. As more and more individuals within source markets, such as the US, get vaccinated; the removal of the requirement to have a RT PCR Test for fully vaccinated persons who want to travel after the stipulated 2 week period, will have a decisive positive impact on visitor arrivals to The Bahamas. In addition, the removal of the requirement for fully vaccinated persons to attain a RT PCR test for travel to and from certain Family Islands, will stimulate travel by locals, residents and visitors who may have deemed the added cost of the viral test to be prohibitive to travel. This is very good news for the economy as the population in the Bahamas will be better able to “Buy Bahamian” and support local tourism related businesses in islands such as Abaco, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Exuma and New Providence.” Sands went on to applaud the Government for their continued emphasis on adherence to health and safety mitigation measures and their commitment to enforcing the rules and regulations designed, and proven to mitigate the spread of the Covid Virus. “The elimination of the COVID testing requirement for fully vaccinated persons is an important, measured response to the global undertaking to protect their population from the COVID-19 virus, and return to a semblance of “normalcy”; to enjoy certain freedoms which existed pre-COVID.” Sands stated. “However, we still have work to do. Until we can attain the level of protection afforded to populations via mitigation measures such as widespread vaccination, we cannot let our guard down, we must remain vigilant and follow prescribed proven health and safety protocols, we must continue to act responsibly, to encourage others to do the same.”