by Linda Straker
- Airport reopening date agreed to at Monday’s cabinet meeting
- Opens 1 July 2020 for international and regional passenger traffic
- All incoming passengers to be screened and quarantined, some with more restrictions than others
Tourism Minister, Clarice Modeste, has confirmed that Grenada will officially be reopening its international airport on 1 July 2020 to commercial passenger traffic.
“The date was agreed to at Monday’s cabinet meeting. We believe that we have done a significant amount of education with the various stakeholder about the new health protocol, and despite the risk, we believe that we are ready to welcome passengers,” Modeste said.
Grenada closed its borders in March as part of measures to contain and control the spread of Covid-19. Since then the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) has only allowed pre-approved repatriation and select charter flights.
Modeste said that the plan right now is to welcome both international and regional travellers. “We are aware that a number of Grenadians are stuck in foreign lands because of the measures, and so we announced the date so that airlines can start offering the service. We are hoping that many Grenadians will return home.”
The idea now is for all incoming passengers to be screened and quarantined, some with more restrictions than others. “Self-quarantine or shorter quarantine period might be enforced for some, especially returning nationals, while visitors of leisure may be restricted to some places,” she explained.
Modeste also confirmed that all arriving passengers will be screened with the rapid Covid-19 test as part of the screening process.
When asked if the decision to announce the date was because of international airlines demanding to government that services recommence to the island, Modeste said that tourism authorities have had mutual discussions with airlines and never got the impression that a deadline date was required. “They kept up to date with the decision of the islands, especially the decisions that will be affecting the tourism sector. So now that we have given them a date, they can start the necessary arrangement to start marketing the service,” she said.
Testing in your home country is one thing but the journey to Grenada itself on a plane is where the corona virus can be picked up, therefore if this is the case then yes you will need to quarantine for 14 days which would potentially be the incubation period.
Borders opening help people outside who are stranded and people inside return to their home countries.
Tourism in ANY country will not be the same as it was prior to the pandemic so it’s just something you all have to get over and move with the times.
I bought tickets since January to come for carnival … My ticket is still valid.Slthough carnival is cancel I still want my vacation .. I have my own home in Grenada I do not need to go live with anyone .. Most people I know in NY get 2 weeks vacation.. would this quarantine still be in effect late a July early August? If that’s the case we need to know. Thank you
Although * Typo above
I hope the quarantine is still effective in July, you have to expect this is the new normal in ALL countries with open borders.
We need to get past the ignorance and realize this is the new norm. The entire world was effected and trying to get back to normal. This pandemic was unexpected and a lot of people were stuck on the island and have lost their jobs becuase of this with no income. Is the government going to take care of them? Whos paying their rent? Some folks have exhasted their savings and people need to get back to work and back to their families so why keep them hostage? If the government made the decision to begin the process and reopen with precautions then so be it. I love my country Grenada but sometimes the level of ignorance from some folks is appalling. This is happening all over the world and life does not stop because of fear.
Hi, I´m too traveling to Grenada to purchase a vessel. you want to rent a room as it may be the best action to be cleared.
We need to go home so do a lot of people on the island let us go to our family work now thankyou
The information has been released in order for you to book your flight back home Maureen. So you can now go ahead and make your booking with the airline to fly home on or after July 1st.
That nice to know airport is opening people cannot start to go home who has been here a while when airplanes start coming in that includes us who are now need to go home
What about us here in Toronto who wants to visit or infact had already bought tickets to come in March from since January and had to cancel. We are also getting free testing done here. If am not mistaken I heard that Air Canada is suggesting that we do the COVID-19 test 24hrs before traveling then take a temperature test before leaving Pearson Int’l and another after getting home. You also have to wear a mask on the plane. If I do all this and have a COVID-19 certificate that says am free from it…..do I still need to pay for another testing home and how much does the test cost? Must I also still be quarantine for 14 days with my daughter? To me the airport should just stay closed and the ports for cruise ships too because it makes no sense for persons like myself who don’t live home or tourists to visit……people usually go home for two weeks vacation. So it makes no sense for no one to travel. Just the ones who are stuck home should be getting out and the ones stuck in other countries should be going home then.
Not sure if Tourists will want to be quarantined for 14 days. This will be more of a stress than a vacation. Interesting to see how Tourism dependency Nations handle this big challenge moving forward.
Quarantine in their hotel perhaps?
That will help hotels but not tour operators….
I think tourists should get tested just prior to departure and again when they arrive… 2 negative results should entitle them to freedom to move around the island…
It’s not a 100% guarantee but it’s an acceptable risk imho ..
the us is giving free testing. returnees should take advantage of that and get themselves tested a before returning. this virus is serious. don’t take things lightly. be each other’s keeper and show love for each other by getting tested.
All tourist should have to pay for a swap test on arrival and receive their results whilst they are doing a mandatory quarantine in a government facility. Screening will not be enough!
Also shortening the quarantine time poses significant risks to the general public.
Good news for those nationals who can now return home, however government need to be sure that they will adhere to strict self isolation within their homes and that they are not allowed visitors to their places of residence.
Please think this through thoroughly. This can be done but with the strictest and tightest of measures in place.
What about us here in Toronto who wants to visit or infact had already bought tickets to come in March from since January and had to cancel. We are also getting free testing done here. If am not mistaken I heard that Air Canada is suggesting that we do the COVID-19 test 24hrs before traveling then take a temperature test before leaving Pearson Int’l and another after getting home. You also have to wear a mask on the plane. If I do all this and have a COVID-19 certificate that says am free from it…..do I still need to pay for another testing home and how much does the test cost? Must I also still be quarantine for 14 days with my daughter? To me the airport should just stay closed and the ports for cruise ships too because it makes no sense for persons like myself who don’t live home or tourists to visit……people usually go home for two weeks vacation. So it makes no sense for no one to travel. Just the ones who are stuck home should be getting out and the ones stuck in other countries should be going home then.
Bitter sweet
Iam the vine.you are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me,and I tohim,he will bear a lot of fruit.you can’t do anything without me.John15:5
The government has done what they could to enlighte the people on how to protect themselves.so let keep it as it’s and let God take control.