by Linda Straker
- 30 June 2020 as the possible date for re-opening the country’s borders
- Hotels or groups can use a chartered option to land persons prior to 30 June
While Grenada puts the necessary health protocols in place for the opening of external borders in late June, Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, has recommended that hotels or groups can use a charter flight option to land persons at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA).
“Charter flights will pose less of a challenge than commercial flights and may, therefore, be accommodated before the end of June, once all other recommended protocols and testing systems are in place,” he told various media personnel as he engaged in live interviews via web conferencing from his office on Thursday, 28 May 2020.
He explained that the charter option can be used by hotels and by Grenadians who are stuck in foreign lands and need to return before the formal opening of the lone airport. “Now if someone or a hotel is having a charter service to bring someone specifically to the hotel and they have the protocol already in place and the system in place for testing people when they come in, then they could come in, in June, that will be okay,” he said while speaking on PowerFM.
“If you’re coming with a commercial airline that is picking up passengers for any hotel in the country and having to go to any part of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, then clearly there is some additional work that must be done for the border to open,” he said.
He also explained that there are a number of protocols that have to be agreed upon and instituted before the borders can reopen. “We are working collaboratively with stakeholders to determine what conditions must be in place before we allow persons to enter the country. One such condition is ensuring that all hotels have appropriate sanitisation and other systems in place. We cannot open the borders if only one or two hotels are ready. There must be uniformity of practices as we continue to safeguard public health and safety,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that government has identified 30 June 2020 as the possible date for reopening the country’s borders. That will be a little more than 2 months since the decision was taken to lock down the country as part of the strategy to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Grenada’s first imported case was announced in mid-March. That person was someone from the United Kingdom. Grenada presently has 23 positive laboratory-confirmed cases.
A news release issued on Friday by the Government Information Service (GIS) said that the National Covid-19 Committee and the Tourism Sub-Committee of the Task Force for Rebuilding the Grenadian Economy are currently working with stakeholders in the tourism industry in preparation for the reopening.
During appearances on various media platforms this week, Dr Mitchell said 30 June is being considered as a practical option, but the actual date will depend on all the necessary protocols being in place. The Prime Minister repeatedly stated that while economic activity must resume, public health and safety are also of paramount importance.
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Why don’t you all shut-up and enjoy this beautiful island. I’ve been here since February just enjoying every day..The beachs and the shops are open we are much safer here than in the UK or USA
Hi I tried to fill in the application form for repatriated flight on 3rd june it would not let me complete the application I asked for further help did not get this I’m in grenada by myself in an apartment running out of money I have asked for help from the forgien office no reple I need to go home for family work I’m a front line worker NHS
I, too, wish to return to the UK, but having heard about the health crisis and the very high death rates in the UK and US. I much prefer to suffer some inconvenience and much frustration to ensure Grenada does not become greedy (what good is the economy if you’re dead) at the expense of the local population who have nowhere else to go irrespective of the Pandemic situation. Grenada has neither the human resources nor the full range of equipments to deal with an outbreak of this dangerous COVID-19. The government has taken the comonsense approach that “prevention is better than cure “. Hence there will be nothing to cure if it’s prevented.
Grenada should not be pressured by the likes of British and American citizens who unfortunately got caught in the lockdown situation. You may be fortunate to have had a job and lost it the chances are your job may or may not have disappeared with you at home in your country. You may be fortunate to have social benefits to see you through difficult times when you return.
Either way you still have a life that allows you to moan and complain. Thanks to the restrictions place on all of us.
Give us a break, SHUT UP: enjoy the restrictions while you can, the fresh air, the sunshine now a bit of beach comfort free of charge while you wait until it’s convenient to leave.
We are all booked in advance to travel to Grenada at the end of July some from U.S and the UK. we don’t see this happening as we’re not sure of the quarantine situation. Two weeks Quarantine in Grenada and another two weeks when we return home; anyone know what the Government propose.
I am sick n tired of this government. All they talk abt is tourism. Big pandemic hit, they panic, oh let’s devote x amt to agriculture……..the pandemic is coming to an end……screw agriculture, tourism will save us……get the hell outta here. U wanna feed your ppl n increase your GDP…simply DECRIMINALIZE marijuana. We always boast the best soil in the caribbean…let’s capitalize on a money making opportunity. The world is moving but Grenada living in the stone age. Smh♀️
More BS from idiot politicians who dont give a shit about how their senseless autocratic edicts are hurting ordinary people. People have lost their jobs while locked down in Grenada for over two months to flatten a non existent curve. Open the damn Airport and let visitors to Grenada leave and get back to their jobs if they are still lucky to have one.. This senseless BS has gone on long enough.
What about people stuck here and wants to go back to there country like Miami
I agree because i am hearing nothing about the folks that have been stuck on the island.
Hi I need to return home to england are flights coming into take us home asp from 30th june thankyou
I wish we can get a response because i am only hearing about people coming in but what about the people who been here on the island..
This was posted over about a week now on various different platforms for repatriation of British nationals.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/grenada/return-to-the-uk
Maureen i think you have to contact the british high commision in barbados but its £600 for the flight
what about the people on the island wanting to return home?
With all new arrivals will these person have to be quarantine by the state or self quarantine?