CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP
ANTIGUA
The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels
and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has
confirmed that some workers have
forfeited their jobs, even as almost 100
percent of them have been vaccinated
against the COVID-19 virus.
ABHTA Executive Chairman, Vernon
Jeffers acknowledged that letters had
been sent to those workers who had not
been vaccinated against the COVID-19
virus informing them
they have forfeited
their jobs.
The affected workers
had been given a
one month grace period
in which to comply with the vaccination
mandate for the sector.
Jeffers said he does not expect there
would be too great a disruption among
the hotels since more than 90 percent
of hospitality workers have been vaccinated.
The affected workers have been
informed that payment for any outstanding
vacation due will be processed
in the usual manner.
The government said that public
sector workers would not be given a
salary or wage for the period of noncompliance
with the current policy.
BARBADOS
The Barbados Defense Force (BDF)
says that since the start of the year,
there has been a significant increase
in the trafficking trade and this has led
to the seizure of a quantity of drugs,
weapons and vessels.
According to the BDF, during the
period Jan. 1 – Oct. 13 2021, the Maritime
Unit, the Barbados Coast Guard
(BCG) and the Barbados
Defense Force
(BDF) seized 5,895
pounds of marijuana;
183 lbs of cocaine and
nine vessels.
In addition, 28 non-nationals and
seven citizens from Barbados were
held.
The BDF said these statistics compared
to the year 2020, reflect an 11
percent and 50 percent increase in
marijuana and cocaine interdictions,
respectively. Additionally, they highlighted
a 467 percent increase in the
number of non-nationals arrested in
connection to these related crimes.
The BDF also stated that in the maritime
domain and given the effects of
the of the global pandemic, “there have
been particular challenges to combat
the illegal narcotics trade, adding that
due to inter-agency efforts, locally and
regionally, disruptions and seizures in
this sector have been successful.
CARIBBEAN
The World Travel and Tourism Council
Caribbean L 4 ife, NOVEMBER 5-11, 2021
Gloria “Mama G” Simms, right, a Maroon spiritual leader, dances with a young man in the Asafu Yard in Charles Town, eastern Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Maroons are increasingly showcasing their unique culture for visitors in hopes that heritage tourism will guarantee
jobs for the young generation and preserve what remains of their centuries-old practices. Associated Press/David McFadden
(WTTC) says the Caribbean’s travel
and tourism sector is recovering at a
faster rate than any other region in the
world, with its contribution to gross
domestic product (GDP) expected to
rise more than 47percent this year,
compared to just 30.7 globally
WTC President and CEO, Julie
Simpson said, “our research clearly
shows that while the global travel and
tourism sector is slowly beginning to
recover from the ravages of COVID-
19, the Caribbean is recovering much
faster than any other
region.”
She said last year,
the COVID-19 pandemic
stole almost a
quarter of all travel
and tourism jobs from the region but
due to a significant increase in international
and domestic spending, both
jobs and GDP are on the rise.
According to the research, the sector’s
contribution to the region’s GDP
and the rise in jobs could be more
positive this year and next, if four
vital measures are met by governments
around the world.
The WTC, which represents the global
travel and tourism and private
sector, said that the sector globally
has been hindered by the lack of international
coordination, severe travel
restrictions and slower vaccination
rates.
GUYANA
The Guyana government has urged
people living with HIV to get vaccinated
so as to protect themselves against
the COVID-19 virus.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank
Anthony said this was
important because
the immune system of
a person living with
HIV was more susceptible
to the virus, especially if that person
was not on medication.
He said it was recommended that
persons with HIV take the COVID vaccine
because it was going to protect
them.
The health minister noted that the
benefits of being vaccinated far outweighed
the risk of not being vaccinated
and in some cases, persons whose
immune systems are compromised it
was also recommended that they get a
third dose of the vaccine or a booster
shot.
Anthony advised people with HIV to
follow the recommended protocols as
the general population, so as to guard
against contracting the disease.
HAITI
Caribbean Community
(CARICOM)
foreign ministers
recently met in Miami
to discuss the ongoing
socio-economic and political situation
in Haiti, and to examine possible
ways of intervention, according to a
statement issued by the Guyana-based
CARICOM Secretariat.
It said the CARICOM Council for
Foreign and Community Relations
(COFCOR) met to discuss “the situation
in Haiti and possible modes of
intervention by CARICOM to assist a
Haiti-driven solution were explored.”
The statement gave no further
details on the matter, but in recent
months Haiti had been facing a series
of situations, including the assassination
of President Jovenel Moise on July
7, the postponement of presidential
and legislative elections and recently
the kidnapping of several foreigners,
including 17 American missionaries
and children — the latest wave of
criminal activities.
The statement said the two-day
meeting was the first in-person of
COFCOR since the onset of the of
the COVID-19 pandemic in January
last year, bringing together ministers
who had assumed office over the past
18 months and their colleagues. It
was hosted by the Consul General of
Jamaica.
ST. LUCIA
The main opposition
United Workers
Party (UWP) has criticized
the decision of the St. Lucia gov-
Continued on Page 20
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