I have recently learned of a tourist who came to Anguilla and has now tested positive for COVID-19. I was sorry to hear that this virus has spread to the island. I was recently visiting the island and had to abruptly leave as a result of the port closure announcements. I was forced to spend a huge amount of money to leave the island and avoid being stranded as a visitor in a foreign country.
I am writing you because someone needs to urge that government to let stranded tourists leave and go home where they feel safe and can tend to their loved ones. I was lucky to get out just before the air and seaports closed.
There could potentially be many tourists still on the island (who could be infected with the virus) and they won’t let them leave and go home. This is a very bad situation for citizens of Anguilla and visitors alike.
I will closely be monitoring the decisions made by the government of Anguilla and if they won’t let people leave, then I along with anyone that I know will likely never visit Anguilla again in fear of another situation like this.
Ryan Gentemann
