Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association have asked the government to require that all travelers are fully vaccinated before they can enter the country for vacations. This is due to an increase in Covid-19-related infections.
Vernon Jeffers, the executive chairman, stated that "our focus is squarely upon the protection of employees, their families, and the sustainability sector. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry. In the near future, it will continue to create uncertainty about occupancy levels and sustain employment. It is a challenging time that requires us to make tough, but necessary, decisions."
The association proposes that the 12 year old vaccination mandate for arriving passengers take effect on Oct. 1. This would allow sufficient notice of any potential changes to current travel regulations.
All travelers are required to present a negative result of PCR within seven days after arrival.
The association proposes that all travelers vaccinated with the vaccine must have a negative rapid antigen test (PCR) result within three days.
Antigua and Barbuda would join many other Caribbean countries, such as Anguilla and Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and Turks and Caicos (effective September 1), and Trinidad and Tobago, if the government calls for a vaccine mandate.
