Barbados calling on Canadians to return

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has made a move to initiate discussion
between public health officials in Barbados and Canada in a bid to
reanimate tourism traffic from one of the island’s largest source
markets. During an interview aired on Tuesday with Vassy Kapelos of
the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Power and Politics, it was
revealed that Prime Minister Mottley had written a letter to her
Canadian counterpart to foster talks.

With Kapelos speaking to Mottley as she supports Canada’s bid for a
seat on the United Nations Security Council, the latter, who also
currently chairs the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), explained that
Barbados and Canada have a long relation and share common values and
sought to move forward with a partner that walked the same path.

“Our countries cannot stay completely closed off from the rest of the
world – we are open economies. We are the most travel and tourism
dependent region in the world and one of the most trade dependent
regions in the world. So when you consider those things, we can’t stay
closed for long. But we have to find people, who like us, have a
commitment to safety and would provide a bio-safe environment such
that we can have the air bubbles or the air bridges in order to make
them safe when they come here and to keep our population safe when
they come,” she said.

Noting that the date for the resumption of commercial flights to
Barbados was still to be decided on as there remained meetings to be
had with the local labour movement and private sector to chart a way
forward for a safe reopening, Mottley stated that one of the major
challenges was that commercial airlines were opting not to do any
testing, with testing needing to be done prior to travel or at the
port of final destination.

Stating that she had written the letter on behalf of CARICOM, Mottley
went on to say that the main idea was to have the process remain as
safe as possible for all involved. “What we have asked for is for
discussions between our public health officials and your public health
officials, so that we can ensure we satisfy them – the scientists –
that we are taking as many precautions as we can take to ensure that
for your citizens and for our citizens, the levels of safety are
appropriate.”

Adding that she was hoping to have discussions soon, Prime Minister
Mottley took the opportunity to speak directly to the people of Canada
and welcomed them to Barbados and the Caribbean.

“Barbados and Canada have had long relationships and I want Canadians
to feel that you can come home to us not just in the winter when it
gets cold, but all like now. I know that everyone needs some relief
from the mental crisis that has been brought up on us by the pandemic
and feel like you can come home and enjoy your time in Barbados. We
will wait for you with open arms. In fairness, anywhere in the
Caribbean,” she said.

Kapelos was able to follow up on the information and filed a report,
stating that the clear advice to Canadians is currently still to avoid
all non-essential travel outside of the country. (MP)