The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

We are in a complete crisis and this all across the world. Thousands of Bahamians are struggling daily, our economy is falling apart, jobs are at its lowest, and the virus at its highest.

I am most certain that many of us thought this virus would have been to a minimum by now, but even with lockdowns, we’re still seeing increased cases daily. In my opinion, there has been no effective plan to this date.

As the economy continues to shatter, the Government has mentioned once again its plans to reopen our borders on November 1.

The Minister of Tourism has mentioned that they’ve partnered with a coalition, seal the deal for over three million rapid antigen tests to help with the testing, but yet less than four days away, this government has failed to lay out a plan for the Bahamian people as to how this will work.

We do not need to repeat the same mistake we did in July. The Minister should not talk about the plan, but put pen to paper and make that information public. As the Prime Minister said, we are all in this together. So if it so that we are, this information for all of us is necessary!

It was the government’s plans to reopen on October 15. But a lot of the major hotels had refused to open.

To date, these hotels have not given a reopening date. So, if we are scheduled to open on November 1, what about those hotels like Baha Mar and Atlantis? Will they remain closed? What are the plans for potential tourists except series of testings, etc?

I urge this government to come up with a proper plan for reopening of the border and making the public fully aware of those plans. Because just like July and now heading for November, we have had no real update. And this is becoming frustrating.

This virus is a concern for thousands. And keeping it from spreading within our country is a priority, I agree but at the same time people should not be left to simply wait and wonder what the plans for reopening look like.

In my opinion, the plans should be tied closely to health metrics and the expansion of testing and tracing procedures both to control the virus and reassure citizens. We should be working closely with the United States and neighbouring partners for a common approach to coordinate public health measures, sharing technologies and a safe border reopening.

While the Minister has mentioned its nerve wrecking for the border re-opening, I suggest they limit the number of people that will come into the country.

Make this a trial run rather than a major re-opening. Target selective tourists or tourist country opposed to mass tourists that could become a nightmare in this pandemic. This could help save some of the island tourism jobs and some businesses from completely going under.

We can aim at tourists by giving premium packages for an all inclusive destination. This package does not have to include a mass amount of visitors as yet. We have enough accommodations to house these packages, but it’s going to take partnering with special markets where travellers are allowed to return home without heavy restricted policies.

As tourists enter into the country and get tested, they should be mandated to using only taxi or tour services, avoiding places where unspecified large numbers of people come and go; travelling only between certain locations, and submitting a document detailing where they will stay and what they plan to do in The Bahamas.

We have the tourism infrastructure for this type of low-impact tourism. Tourists can rent cars and not have to use public transportation, be accommodated in hotels that are closed off to the general public, hotel staff will have to be provided with the most stringent protective gear, and the tourists can go to pre-certified optional tours that meet strict safety precautions.

If I can remember, during the first two months of this calendar year, The Bahamas was gaining momentum for another record-high visitor arrivals until COVID-19 happened.

When COVID-19 hit our shores, arrivals dropped and now it’s been at a standstill.

It’s been eight months since the tourism industry has been in limbo.

How quickly The Bahamas bounces back may rely on people in leadership positions in our government who are bold enough to go big with new and sound ideas.

DR MATHEO SMITH

Nassau,

October 28, 2020.