Senator Lisa Cummins, Minister of Tourism and International Transport
Despite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport is committed to ensuring safe, efficient and smooth travel for travellers, especially those who are outbound and in need of the requisite negative COVID-19 tests.
Senator Lisa Cummins, Minister of Tourism and International Transport gave the above assurance during a recent press conference, which saw key officials giving a COVID-19 update.
“Since last Sunday as you are aware, we stood up a call centre and we have received hundreds of calls at the call centre, since that time. Along with the Ministry of Health, we have been working on ensuring that our visitors and our travellers are able to benefit from getting their test results, but we have also been focusing since Tuesday, on dedicating resources at the (Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory) to allow for persons to travel seamlessly” Minister Cummins revealed.
“We know that there have been some challenges. We know that there have been difficulties with persons still getting their test results on time and that it is still regetable, but we give you the commitment that as a country and as a government, we are working through those issues” she added.
“Since Tuesday this week, over 234 persons have been able to come to the Dos Santos Lab, to able to benefit from a combination of PCR tests for outbound travellers who are moving out to Canada and for those travellers who are moving out to the UK and we are very appreciative of the partnership with our airline partners” she further commented, noting that travellers have been able to benefit from rapid antigen testing at the lab.
Cummins also revealed that of the 234 originally noted, there were 145 visitors, including visiting Barbadians and returning nationals and in addition to these, there have also been 89 locals who as a result of the introduction of additional testing support, have been able to have an antigen test provided, if there were in quarantine hotels.
Those persons whose businesses were closed as a result of positive cases and who spent the requisite time in quarantine, were also able to benefit from being released.
The Tourism Minister also indicated that additional systems are being put in place for those who will continue to travel in the coming week.
Travellers outbound on Caribbean flights and also Canadian flights, are meanwhile being urged to make contact with the call centre at 628-4150 or the Ministry, so arrangements can be made for them to fly out with a negative PCR test result and the required certification. (RSM)