Gay Nagle Myers
Anguilla entered phase two of its reopening plan on Nov. 1, a carefully calculated strategy designed to "keep everyone and everything safe," according to Haydn Hughes, its minister of tourism.
The requirements for entry to Anguilla for U.S. visitors are the result of more than seven months of "careful planning, testing, observing and waiting," Hughes said during a recent webinar sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
"Yes, I know we are late to the full reopening game, but our calculations were prudent and carefully planned," he said.
Anguilla's visitor requirements for entry are similar to those of other destinations in the region -- multiple Covid tests, a pre-arrival form, an on-property quarantine period -- but it is unique in its entry-fee structure, which it introduced to cover costs associated with visitor surveillance, security, Covid testing, extended immigration time and digital work permits.
Fees for the Stay In Place plan, as it is called, were announced in August. Initially, a stay of less than three months carried a fee of $1,000 for a single traveler and $1,500 for a family of four; a longer stay (up to a year) was priced at $2,000 for a single traveler and $3,000 for a family of four.
The fee structure was later revised. "We just did not know at first what our costs would be," Hughes said. "They were estimated costs, and when the actual costs came in, we saw what they were and realized we did not have to make a profit on this."
Visitors now have a choice of three categories, with fees depending upon the length of stay. For visits of five days or less, fees are $400 for an individual traveler, $500 for a couple and $300 for the primary family member plus $250 for each additional family member. Visits from six days to three months are $400 for individuals, $600 for couples and $400 for a head of family plus $250 for each family member.
Long stays that range from 91 days to one year are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for the primary family member plus $250 for each additional family member.
In other words, a family of four staying for a week on Anguilla would pay $1,150 in Stay in Place fees, in addition to accommodations, meals and activities.
"Our decision to introduce these fees was not taken lightly," Quincia Gumbs Marie, Anguilla's Parlaimentary secretary of tourism, said in a response to a question about the fees. "Unfortunately, this pandemic shows no signs of abating, and our government is unable to underwrite the considerable investment in our new health protocols indefinitely. We are therefore asking our guests and our returning nationals to contribute towards defraying these additional expenses.
"We are not alone in this regard," Marie continued. "Most destinations are now requiring their guests to assume the cost of PCR tests administered locally. We believe it is not an unreasonable price to pay to ensure a safe and healthy vacation experience for both our guests and our citizens."
So far, 54 applications have been received for the Stay in Place plan for visits of five days or less; 304 for visits of less than 90 days and 128 for longer stays.
For those visitors, more than 65 approved properties, such as hotels, resorts and Airbnbs have been added to the accommodations inventory in phase two, which had only included villa accommodations in the first phase.
"The long-stay option is a good program for us. We've been a Covid-free destination since April 26, the island has excellent Wifi and we have more than 3,000 rooms available now," Hughes said.
In addition to the fees, travelers must pre-register; provide proof of insurance that covers Covid-19 medical tests and hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescriptions and air ambulance service; and provide the result of a negative PCR test taken within three to five days of arrival date.
Arriving passengers must undergo health screening and a mandatory PCR test at the airport in Anguilla (or St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia or wherever their connecting flight originates).
While awaiting test results, which usually "come quickly," according to Hughes, travelers are transferred by prearranged vehicle to their approved accommodation, where they must quarantine for two weeks and undergo regular health monitoring.
During quarantine, guests can move about the property, go to the beach and dine at on-site, open-air restaurants. Visitors can leave the property once they receive a negative test result on Day 14; they can book excursions through certified ground transport.
"We're adding more attractions once they are inspected and approved by the medical and environmental teams," Hughes said.
"Everything is managed and controlled by bookings in advance."
Although mask wearing in public is not mandatory in Anguilla, social distancing is recommended. Visitors dine in one group of restaurants and locals in other venues to keep down the possible spread of the virus.
In phase three of Anguilla's reopening plan, "travelers will be able to just book a flight and come here, but I have no clue as to when that moment might be," Hughes said.
As for the coming season, he admitted that it will not be as robust as was the winter 2019 season.
"While there is pent-up demand for travel on the part of many travelers, there is still a lot of fear on the part of other travelers. Our message to our visitors is to visit Anguilla, lose the crowd, find yourself," Hughes said.