The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) are continuing to engage every sector in the industry as Grenada gets ready to reopen its borders in the coming weeks.
The latest engagement was a training session held on Wednesday, 3 June via Zoom with members of various taxi associations. Over 40 taxi drivers participated and keenly asked questions.
The training was facilitated by Environmental Health Officer, Derek Ramkelewan, who made a presentation on ‘Covid-19 Basics for Tourism Stakeholders’. The presentation covered the coronavirus history, signs and symptoms, general protective measures and cleaning and sanitisation. Ramkelewan asked the taxi drivers to pay particular attention to the sanitisation of contact surfaces within their vehicles as well as the proper way of handling cash or credit cards. He further encouraged staggered seating arrangements within vehicles, the wearing of masks when meeting customers and maintaining good personal hygiene practices.
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Dr Clarice Modeste-Curwen, addressed the taxi drivers seeking their support for the new health measures being implemented across the tourism industry in Grenada. She said, “We cannot set a date for reopening until we are sure every sector in the tourism industry is ready. All of us must work together to keep Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique safe during this challenging period.”
Training will continue throughout the industry and special focus will be placed on specific elements within the accommodations sector such as laundry, housekeeping and security. A 2-pronged approach will be used with emphasis on protocols and health and safety.
GTA
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As far as I know, Grenada has not announced their COVID-19 protocols when they welcome back visitors. I highly doubt they will be asking tourists to self-isolate for 14 days. Let’s wait for the announcement before jumping to any conclusions. There definately will be some things tourists may not like, including, wearing masks when out in public. This will be the same anywhere yiu go in tbe Caribbean.
What about all the Taxi drivers who are independent? You need to include them too.
Do the tourist board believe that tourist would risk their lives to come to Grenada in the heat of a pandemic?
Grenada is known to have the worst medical facilities in the Eastern Caribbean and most of its citizens are unable to afford private medical care; this is a minus for coming to Grenada in such uncertain times.
Grenada tourist board had better think again. With many overseas citizens, namely USA, UK having lost their jobs due to COVD19 and with mortgages, child care facilities, school fees, (the UK presently is debating removing free bus passes for school children and withdrawal of the Freedom Pass for over 60s) universities fees, these are all aking places within the Grip of COVD 19. Furthermore, people are focusing on their personal economics, health and welfare would not risk coming to an underdeveloped island during a pandemic? Also, should they come it would be for the normal14 days holiday, (except Grenadian nationals and British retirees). Having to spend 14 days in quarantine what is the point of coming away to a holiday to be locked in?
I am aware of many British Grenadian who have already cancelled their holidays. These have already booked but in the interest of their health and safety have cancelled. Many come as large families and spend thousands of pounds here in good times, but presently such monies are needed for domestic reasons and holidays are not a priority.
Tourism is such a fragile industry. Therefore, Grenada you will have to keep watching and waiting for that mystical influx of tourist. Perhaps these are flocks of two-winged creatures not of the metal kind.
Not everyone abroad thinks narrow minded as yourself..whoever you are! Look around you and observe what is going on in the United States! I see thousands of folks gathering to protest and tell me what the MSM has to say about Covid 19…… Not a dam word. A last i say all this to show you that things and events are blown out of porportions to validate a desired outcome.