The Covid-19 vocabulary includes a glossary of terms and phrases unknown to most of us a year ago at this time: PPE, PCR, FCCs, contactless check-in, Fauci and phased re-openings, among others.
Anguilla's recent phase 2 reopening is taking another page from the Covid dictionary with the introduction of the destination's "vacation bubble concept."
Here is what that means, according to Anguillian tourism officials: "The concept is designed to allow properties to safely offer their short-stay guests access to a variety of approved amenities, services and activities while they stay in place.
"These guided movements allow visitors to interact with Anguilla's tourism product while limiting their interaction with Anguilla's population."
Haydn Hughes, minister of tourism and infrastructure, explained the meaning of Phase Two and the bubble concept this way: "Anguilla's hospitality product reopens in a safe though unprecedented way, subject to inspections and safety protocols designed to protect the health of our visitors and our nation."
Or, to put it more simply, "we want everyone to enjoy the Anguilla experience -- we invite you to lose the crowd and find yourself."
Anguilla has a stiff set of pre-entry and entry requirements and fees, designed to address the health and safety concerns of visitors and guests, according to Quincia Gumbs Marie, Parliamentary secretary of tourism.
She reported that free training and certification courses were offered to more than 100 businesses and 500 tourism employees, from housekeepers to charter boat operators, in preparation for phase 2.
Whereas Anguilla's first reopening phase
pretty much limited guests to their certified and approved villa for the
duration of their stay, Phase Two allows a lot more freedom of movement
and activities, provided that each visitor tests negative during their
vacation.
What it means for visitors encased in the vacation bubble is that they may now dine out at certain restaurants in the "bubble,", sip a Bailey's banana and coconut cocktail at certain bars, play a round of golf, go scuba diving or snorkeling, take a glass-bottomed boat ride, explore Sandy Island, Scilly Cay and Prickly Pear on offshore excursions.
Anguilla currently has the classification of "No Travel Health Notice: Very Low Risk for Covid-19" from the CDC; its last confirmed case was in June.