St Kitts and Nevis is set to become the final Caribbean destination to reopen its borders to visitors at the end of October.
The islands, which have only had 19 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and no deaths, plan to allow visitors to return from 31 October.
The country has introduced a range of health and safety protocols, which include requiring tourism businesses, employers and employees to undergo “Travel Approved” training and then receive certification when this training is completed.
Mark Brantley, minister of foreign affairs and aviation, said: "The protocols we have established aim to provide for their safety in interacting with visitors as well as visitors’ safety in interacting with our people.
“It is critical to travellers’ perceptions of St Kitts and Nevis as a safe and desirable destination of choice as well as to citizens and residents own safety in embracing their return."
St Kitts and Nevis has been exempt from Foreign Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel since July, while the country also has a travel corridor with the UK despite its closure to visitors.
Meanwhile another Caribbean island Anguilla is planning a new promotion to highlight its attraction as a winter-sun destination as the island moves to its next phase of reopening.
This phase, due to start with arrivals from 1 November, will see the introduction of an “island bubble” concept formed between approved hotels, resorts and villas, as well as local approved restaurants, bars and activity providers.
Anguilla has also introduced a fee-paying application process including two tests – one on arrival and one after 10 days on the island. Fees for this process will be reduced to around £300pp.
Guests will have to provide a negative Covid test prior to arrival, then take a test when they reach Anguilla before quarantining for 10 days at their accommodation or a government facility. If the second test is negative they are then free to explore the island.
There was mixed news for Caribbean destinations from the UK government on Thursday (1 October).
The Foreign Office (FCDO) added an exemption to its advice against all non-essential travel to the British Virgin Islands. But removed this exemption for the French/Dutch island of St Maarten and St Martin.
The Dutch Caribbean islands of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba will also lose their quarantine-free travel corridor status from Saturday (3 October).