Dominica slapped with highest US travel warning

After securing COVID-19 vaccines to cover most of its small population, and welcoming back cruise ship passengers to the island, Dominica has now been hit with the highest-level red alert warning by the United States to citizens against visiting the Nature Isle.

In a release posted on Tuesday by the United States Embassy in Barbados, the US State Department issued a “Level-4 Do Not Travel” advisory against Dominica.

According to the Embassy: “The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Dominica due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19.

“Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.”

The news came on the same day it was reported that the country had recorded its first COVID-19-related death.

Dominica, with a population of 72 000, has been ravaged by hurricanes in recent years, and has been seeking to restore its vital agricultural sector. However, the country has been increasing in popularity with cruise passengers due to its natural beauty and relatively undisturbed forests.

The highest level warnings against travel have also been issued from the French West Indies which include Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Saint Martin, and St Barthelemy.

The US Embassy, also on Tuesday, increased the travel warning for Antigua and Barbuda to Level 2, indicating that American travellers to that CARICOM state should “exercise increased caution due to COVID-19”.

The US government urged its citizens to wear masks and maintain a six-foot distance from others when in Antigua.

Barbados currently stands at Level 3, with the CDC telling Americans that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Barbados was “high”. As a result, it urged only persons who were fully vaccinated should visit the country.

Tourism officials here have indicated they did not expect the sector to be significantly impacted as a result of the Level 3 warning, though they have adopted a wait-and-see approach. (IMC1)