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Caribbean Life, April 14-20, 2022
CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP
BARBADOS
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley
has renewed her call for reparation for the
Atlantic slave trade, saying she does not
consider the issue a contentious issue.
Mottley, who was on an official visit to
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently
said that slavery not only resulted in
the underdevelopment of the colonies but
played an indirect role in climate change,
for which compensated
should also be provided.
She told the media in
Dubai that the former
colonizers removed the
wealth from countries such as Barbados
and created the industrial revolution in
developed nations which, in turn, contributed
significantly to the world’s greenhouse
gases.
Barbados’ first female head of government
said that the industrial revolution
was financed by the slave trade.
She said when independence was factored
in 130 years later for many former
colonies, they received nothing other than
good wishes.
And Mottley is urging visitors who have
made use of the Barbados’ welcome stamp
initiative is an example of the opportunities
that can be realized when countries open
their doors to overseas residents willing to
become digital nomads.
She expressed renewed optimism in this
initiative and others on the horizon during
an address at a meet and greet session in
the UAE with keg stakeholders of Dubai’s
Free Zone.
CARIBBEAN
The United States government announced
recently plans to provide US$1,5 million in
COVID-19 assistance through the United
States Agency for International Development
(USAID) for countries in the Eastern
Caribbean region, including
The Bahamas, Barbados,
Guyana, Suriname
and Trinidad and Tobago.
The assistance, according
to a press release from the US Embassy
in Port of Spain, Trinidad will be focused on
helping countries with vaccine deployment
and readiness and include efforts to address
vaccine hesitancy and combat vaccine misand
dis information.
The additional support will assist with
community vaccination campaigns and
engagement activities, strengthen the
cold chain environment, train healthcare
workers and develop regional and country
specific campaigns to increase vaccine
uptake.
USAID regional representative for the
Eastern and Southern Caribbean Clinton
D. White said the funding will fill key
gaps to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine uptake
and strengthen countries’ preparedness for
future pandemic threats.
He said the additional support builds on
previous COVID-19 support to Caribbean
countries.
USAID has provided nearly US$63 million
in COVID-19 assistance to the Caribbean
to address the health, humanitarian
and economic impacts of the pandemic.
DOMINICA
Dominica acting Prime Minister and
Minister of Health, Wellness and New
Health Investment, Dr. Irvin McIntyre said
changes have been made to travel protocols
to further ease travel to the tiny Caribbean
island and support
the full re-opening of the
tourism sector.
He said passengers of
cruises will be allowed to
disembark and be allowed to tour freely in
keeping with cruise ship and port protocols.
He also stated Cruise sector workers
such as taxi drivers, vendors and tour
guides must be vaccinated or present a
negative 48-hour antigen test result and a
“Safe Zone” pass.
The requirement for pre-arrival testing
and testing on arrival for vaccinated travelers
at all ports of entry, including Sea Fearers
and yacthies has been removed.
McIntyre said that unvaccinated travelers
who test negative on arrival will no
longer be required to be quarantine.
However, testing on arrival for symptomatic
travelers will remain in effect.
GRENADA
Traveling to Grenada has just got easier
as the Spice Island has removed all of its
COVID-19 restrictions and protocols.
As of April 4, travelers to
Grenada will no longer be
required to take a COVID-
19 test, be vaccinated,
quarantine on arrival, or
fill out a Health Declaration form.
The country’s mask mandate has also
been dropped.
The news comes ahead of the island’s
Carnival known as Spicemas, which will be
held on Aug. 8 and 9.
Grenada’s test positivity rate remains
below five percent in most days in the
month of March and continues to see lowlevel
transmission occurring in the population.
One-third or 33 percent of Grenada’s
population is fully vaccinated, with 48 percent
partially vaccinated and around 5.2
percent have had a third dose or booster
shots.
GUYANA
Guyanese nationals in the diaspora are
being urged to explore opportunities at
home as the country is
undergoing rapid development.
Speaking with members
of the diaspora in
Trinidad recently, Guyana Foreign Secretary,
Robert Persaud said that approximately
100,000 additional workers are needed in
key investments in Guyana as the economy
is growing at a fast pace and both skilled
and unskilled workers are needed to fill
public and private sector jobs.
According to Persaud, the government
of Guyana is trying to woo members of
the diaspora to return by offering several
incentives including tax concessions on
personal effects such as vehicles and hous-
TH E N EWS FROM BACK HOME
Updated daily at www.caribbeanlife.com
Vice President Kamala Harris and Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, conclude their remarks following their meeting at the Eisenhower
Executive Offi ce Building on the White House complex, in Washington, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Associated Press/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Continued on Page 6
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