Airport arrivals sign.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados--The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) says the region remains open for business, despite the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 that has touched more than 100 countries, including some in the Caribbean.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the CTO said it continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and to engage member countries, as well as the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA and tourism partners, to inform travel-related health measures that are proportionate to the public health threat and based on local risk assessment.
And it noted that while there continues to be a limited number of imported cases and no cases of local transmission in the region, the health authorities across its membership are taking the necessary steps to limit the number of new cases and to curb the possible spread among our populations from the confirmed imported cases.
However, the statement added, “The CTO would like to emphasise that the World Health Organization (WHO) has not called for any travel and trade restrictions as a result of the coronavirus.”
“As a matter of fact, the WHO continues to advise against such restrictions. Local populations and visitors alike are assured that the Caribbean remains open for business,” the Barbados-based CTO said.
The organisation has advised travellers to follow the health and travel advisories issued by the authorities and to take appropriate precautions, such as:
* Avoiding contact with sick people;
* Avoid travelling if sick;
* Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
* Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available;
* Cover your nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or paper tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose immediately of the tissue and perform hand hygiene;
* Refrain from touching mouth and nose;
* And follow proper food hygiene practices.
