Izzy
Senior Insider
Google transkation of Q and A article and an additional related piece of information from Le Journal
"NO REOPENING CAN BE CONSIDERED BEFORE WE CAN TEST THE ENTRANTS"
by Valentine Autruffe 05/06/2020
Nils Dufau, president of the Tourism Committee and vice-president of the Collectivity, did not have time to rejoice at the dazzling economic return of Saint Barth. Barely the Irma page turned, the coronavirus has showered the 2020 season. Two questions occupy it full time today: how to reopen the borders while minimizing the Covid-19 risk as much as possible? When will tourists be ready to return?
The Tourism Observatory report shows that before the whole world was paralyzed by a virus, Saint Barth had overcome the Irma page ...
This report is interesting because it is a summary over three years, which allows us to see the evolution rather than an image at an instant T. We see that we have managed to fully recover from the hurricane. Before Covid-19, we were all set to make the best season ever, even better than in 2016!
Do you have feedback, as chairman of the Tourism Committee, on the state of local businesses that live directly from this activity?
Our economy is not diversified, we only have tourism. From what I understand, it will be the hardest for the smallest companies. The State has put in place aid, in particular partial activity ... Some manage to find a compromise with their lessor to obtain a gesture on the rent, others are met with a clear refusal. Unfortunately, the owner cannot be asked to waive or suspend; the discussion must take place in good understanding.
No tourism without reopening the borders. This also implies a possible importation of the Covid-19 virus. What is the plan?
With all the overseas territories, we exchanged on the question of tourism with the Minister of Overseas. We were able to explain what we wanted for Saint-Barthélemy: that the entrant arrives with a screening test carried out, or at least a medical certificate attesting to his good health. Kind of like some countries that require the yellow fever vaccine for visitors. And when they arrive, we would like them to undergo a mandatory test.
Concretely, how is it going to happen?
Airport space will be required for testing. A first screening machine has already arrived on the island, three others are to follow. Those arriving will have to wait an hour for the result to return to the island. I think the people of Saint Barth will agree to reopen the borders only if we set up tests; this will reassure the population, but also tourists. We cannot wait for zero cases of Covid worldwide; we would risk waiting ten years. If we have all the necessary agreements - border control is a state prerogative - perhaps we can hope for a "micro-opening" at the end of the season.
Precisely, do you have an estimated date for the reopening of the borders?
We are coming in low season, and in any case, we must not rush. You have to do it very methodically. No reopening can be considered before we can test. But everyone has in mind that in November we will welcome tourists again. Do we make a small opening at the end of the season, before that? We looked at the big hotels, half of them, or five out of ten, would be willing to open before next season. The rest are too dependent on seasonal workers, most of whom have returned home. As for the small hotel industry, it is already ready. As after Irma: it was she who saved Saint-Barth! The villas are also ready, they are just waiting for the borders to reopen. It should be noted that many locals work with the villas: swimming pool specialists, air conditioning, gardeners, etc.
What about boats? Does it seem difficult to set up a test zone and make people wait an hour when disembarking from the ferries?
Imagine, already, a worker who makes the round trip every day between Saint-Martin and Saint-Barth: he should undergo the test every day! But it is certain that it is difficult to set up a test area today at the ferry terminal. And as long as we don’t have the capacity to test… There can’t be any boats.
What about yachts?
For them, it will be complicated, for sure ... But they will receive strict instructions upstream on the situation in Saint-Barthélemy.
The tourism report for 2019 reports 126,000 cruise passengers landed in Gustavia last year. The future of the cruise industry is particularly bleak today.
For them a complicated period is coming. That’s why I’m so worried about small traders in Gustavia. Restaurants can still work with locals, but for some businesses it will be very difficult. This sector is naturally compromised, and this is true all over the world. I think that we should expect a massive communication effort from cruise lines, focused on cleanliness and hygiene.
Suppose a tourist arrives from New York by plane, he lands in Saint John, and the screening test is positive. What becomes of it?
We can't put him back on the plane; he would stay in Saint-Barth for two weeks… We still have to determine a protocol for this scenario. The client will be warned well in advance of what will happen if they test positive.
Can we imagine that a wealthy visitor will spend two weeks in isolation at the Plaine des Jeux accommodation center?
We will bring him good meals ... (laughs)! More seriously, this issue has not been resolved. The subject is complicated, we have to adapt to the best. But as long as a clear protocol is not defined, there is no question of reopening the borders. However, you have to accept that zero risk will not exist. When we reopen, the virus will still be circulating around the world, so keep that in mind. We will have to live with it for a while. All the incredible efforts we have made with this containment have never been seen. We are moving forward, but in November, the Covid will still be present on the planet.
If Saint Barth is ready in November, what about tourists, and in particular Americans, who were very affected by the Covid-19 and who will be in the midst of the presidential election?
It’s about trust. Will it be enough to continue traveling? I think that in November, it will be the case, even if we will always see masks, protective reflexes. The confidence of tourists will also depend on the places they go to. In Saint-Barth, we have the advantage of not being in mass tourism. In hotels and villas, people are not on top of each other. Even though Princess Juliana Airport, our hub, remains closed, there will be a small opening through Puerto Rico. It is certain that the electoral period adds to the slump caused by the virus, and weighs on morale. However, we still have people who book, regulars, who plan to come as soon as the island is opened. I remind you that after Irma, our 25% of reception capacity was full right away. We would also have been full if we had 40% accommodation capacity. The CTTSB and the communication agencies with which we work are ready. We will communicate once the protocol for entering the island has been defined, and only then, in two days or two months. Tourists must be aware of the situation in Saint-Barth before coming.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Tests in the countries of origin: not wise according to Macron
In addition to the test once on Saint Barth’s soil, the Collectivity was working on the possibility of asking each new arrival on the island to carry out a screening test for Covid-19, in their place of residence. This idea, submitted by Bruno Magras to President Emmanuel Macron in videoconference last week, was rebutted by the head of state. The latter considers that, depending on the country where it is performed, the reliability of the screening test cannot be guaranteed. Rather, he suggested to the president of the Com to submit the new arrivals to a first test, and to a second on the third day of their stay, for greater safety.
______________________________________________________________________________________
