We have received a handful of inquiries on the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Barbados. To date there are no known or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Barbados. Port Ferdinand Luxury Resort & Residences and Saint Peter’s Bay Resort continue to work closely with the BTMI and the Ministry of Health and Wellness in tandem with following daily protocols of WHO, CDC and IATA to ensure visitors and local Barbadians coming to our resorts are safe and well.
At resort level: employees and guests at Port Ferdinand and Saint Peter’s Bay are advised to continually and frequently wash their hands and to use hand sanitizer liberally as well as to avoid traveling or coming to work should they not feel well. Increased antibacterial cleaning of public areas and guest rooms throughout both resorts are also taking place in an increased abundance of caution.
At a national level: the Ministry has implemented an alert system in Barbados as well as a series of screening and testing measures for both of the island’s ports of entry. Barbados is one of the few Caribbean islands with such capabilities. In addition to having access to testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Barbados also benefits from a local Public Health Laboratory fully equipped by technical staff of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Additional steps being taken in Barbados to combat COVID-19 are as follows:
- All persons coming to Barbados with a history of having travelled to countries with widespread local transmission are quarantined for a period of fourteen (14) days after last exposure
- A multisectoral Health Emergency Operations Centre has been set up to monitor the international spread of infection and to oversee local public health actions
- Barbados has reviewed its public health procedures in order to reduce the risk of introduction of novel coronavirus. These processes include prevention measures, active surveillance, early detection, isolation, case management and contact tracing.
- The surveillance measures include utilization of advance passenger information, immigration screening, and port health monitoring. All current and proposed actions are based on level of risk determined by Public Health Authorities.
- Barbados has a program for both quarantine and isolation based on the level of risk determined by Public Health Authorities. Both units are guided by standard operation procedures and protocols. Barbados is able to accommodate both high and low risk travelers.
- Any person with potential exposure who develops symptoms consistent with coronavirus will be admitted to the National Isolation Facility for testing and further management.
Given these facts and rigorous systems already in place, Barbados remains an extremely safe place to travel to currently. Should you have any queries or hesitations about visiting us, please feel free to contact Joerg Roterberg, Group General Manager, UNNA Luxury Resorts & Residences immediately at: Tel 1 246-272-2000 or jroterberg@unnaliving.com.
We look forward to welcoming you to Port Ferdinand and Saint Peter’s Bay very soon.
