The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A major New Providence hotel says numerous unanswered questions remain over the COVID-19 re-opening protocols - especially around the five-day testing and quarantining of asymptomatic visitors.

Muna Issa, Super Clubs Breezes managing director, told Tribune Business she was "comfortable" with the 14-day mandatory quarantine's elimination and "five-day test window" for travellers to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to coming to The Bahamas.

But, speaking after Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, addressed the nation on Saturday over yesterday's tourism re-opening kick-off, Ms Issa said she was less certain about the procedure for tourists obtaining a rapid COVID-19 antigen test if they are staying in The Bahamas for five days or longer.

She also questioned what was expected of resorts, and other visitor accommodations such as Airbnb vacation rentals, if guests were to test positive for the virus but be asymptomatic. Mr D'Aguilar on Saturday suggested such visitors would be able to remain in The Bahamas but quarantine for 14 days.

"What I am not sure of is the procedure or rationale for the test on day five. What are the guidelines for the tourist, accommodation or taxi if a tourist tests positive?” Ms Issa asked. The minister said the cost of the fifth day test, for tourists staying longer than four nights, will be included in the Bahamas Health Travel Visa that all visitors are required to obtain and pay a fee for.

"The location of where this test can be administered will be provided on the Bahamas Health Travel Visa website. In Nassau, it will be any Doctors Hospital location. In the Family Islands, obviously, each island will have a different option," Mr D'Aguilar said.

"When you receive your Bahamas Health Travel Visa, it will possess a QR code which is like a bar code. When you present for the five-day test, that QR code will be scanned by the screener so that the results of your test can be properly uploaded to your account.

"Naturally, we encourage everyone to take the five-day test so that we can assess your status five days after entering The Bahamas. We also encourage you to take the test since you would have already paid for it and there may be a small fine if you do not."

However, when it came to the fifth day test, Ms Issa queried: ""A tourist must take a taxi to the testing site and back at their expense, I believe, as I don't see this included in the cost of the health visa.”

“Will the taxi driver be waiting for the tourist while the test is done? if a tourist is positive, is the taxi to transport the guest back to the accommodation? Will the taxi driver need to then quarantine for 14 days, as they would have been in contact with a positive person?”

“Will the hotel or Airbnb or tourist accommodation owner be advised of a guest's positive result? Can a private individual's medical results be released without their agreement?"

Ministry of Tourism officials, in a subsequent release on the issue, said over the weekend: “Hotel properties will provide relevant information on testing arrangements, while others will facilitate the required rapid test for their guests.

"All persons on yachts and other pleasure craft will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website. All other visitors, returning residents and citizens will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website.”

However, this appeared only to add to the uncertainty. Diane McTague, general manager of Nassau's Holiday Inn Express, replied: “'Hotel properties will provide relevant information on testing arrangements, while others will facilitate the required rapid test for their guests'. I have not been informed of this."

Ms Issa, meanwhile, voiced concerns about allowing visitors who test positive for COVID-19 during their stay - but show no symptoms of the virus - to stay in The Bahamas and quarantine in their accommodation for 14 days.

“If I understand what was said today - if a tourist is positive but asymptomatic - they can return to their accommodation and still enjoy their vacation," she said. " If so, what protocols are to be followed? Is the guest expected to stay in their room? Who checks to ensure the guest doesn't leave the room if they are in fact to stay in the room?

"If staying in a house or Airbnb, can they still go grocery shopping? What if one member of the travelling party is positive and one negative - do they still continue to share the same room/accommodation?" The hotel industry is also likely to have concerns about its staff being exposed, and becoming infected, if COVID-19 positive guests are allowed to stay for up to 14 days.

Outlining the Government's policy, Mr D'Aguilar said the COVID-19 travel health insurance policy put in place by CG Atlantic, the former Atlantic Medical, would cover all costs associated with an infected visitor quarantining in The Bahamas for 14 days.

"In the case where a visitor tests positive, three comprehensive options are available to the visitor, none of which will burden our existing health infrastructure," he explained. “First, those who test positive but exhibit no symptoms (asymptomatic) can quarantine in place for up to 14 days. The insurance will cover the hotel costs of that quarantine.”

“Second, if a person tests positive, exhibits no symptoms (asymptomatic) but has a pre-existing medical condition, then they will have the option to be medically evacuated out of the country. And third, if a person tests positive and exhibits symptoms, they will be immediately medically evacuated to their home country for medical purposes. This policy will be in force throughout the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Ms Issa, though, had more questions: “If they [visitors] are positive on day five and are to depart on day seven, are they allowed to travel to the airport? Will the airline be advised? What transportation do they take?

"If they are expected to quarantine in The Bahamas until they get a negative result, who will cover the cost? I am assuming the insurance company. If so, does the tourist pay upfront and then claim on the insurance? Or will the insurance pay the accommodation directly in advance?”

“I believe most tourists come for six nights/seven days or less. Why not do the test for those staying longer than six nights as a start, and then if the testing ratio is high move it to four night/five days? We are hoping that prior to November 5, when the first tests will be administered, the accommodation sector will get some guidelines on the procedures we are expected to follow."