January 3, 2020….that was the day I arrived back to Grenada from my usual Jamaica Christmas vacation. I had expected to next be there in July 2020, to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday with her. The novel Coronavirus COVID-19 thwarted those plans. I wondered when I would be able to see my family. Then the Grenada airports re-opened, so I booked for Christmas 2020.
Every couple of weeks, the protocols for travel changed, so I waited until close to my departure date, to read up on the requirements for travel to and through Jamaica and Barbados, and back to Grenada. I completed the necessary travel authorizations and immigration forms online, which included uploading my negative PCR test result, taken at Grenada’s General Hospital.
These are my thoughts on what I experienced, travelling during the time of COVID-19.
Donned in my face mask and face shield, the departure from Grenada was quite standard, with 3 exceptions:
- Only persons travelling were allowed inside;
- Your temperature was checked and you had to sanitize your hands on entry before check in; and
- I had to show a negative PCR test result, since St Vincent and Barbados required it.
BARBADOS – SAME DAY IN TRANSIT
On arrival into the Immigration hall in Barbados, where I had a few hours before my connection to Jamaica, I was instructed to sanitize my hands, I got a health form to complete, then proceeded to the Immigration Officer. Instead of taking my passport, I was instructed to place the picture page against the glass which shielded the Officer. Before entering the luggage area, I was again instructed to sanitize my hands, then directed to a line to be interviewed by the Health official and to hand up the form. I think we were asked to show the negative PCR test result at that point. Between exiting the Customs hall and boarding the next flight, there were several sanitizing stations.
JAMAICA
On arrival to Jamaica, the Caribbean Airlines Purser instructed us to disembark according to rows. Passengers were compliant. Then we lined up to be interviewed by the Health officials. The combination of the acoustics in the hall, and the masks worn by the official, made it difficult to hear.
After clearing Immigration, a Jamaica Defence Force soldier asked if I was resident in Jamaica (no) and how long I was staying. He directed me to a physically distanced chair. Another soldier asked me the same questions, then told me I could go. But I saw other soldiers advising passengers to download the JAMCOVID app, turn on the Location setting and to upload their temperatures daily. I inquired why I was being allowed to go and the solder said “miss….you don’t want to go home? I am letting you go.” Not sure if that was legal, but I wasn’t complaining!
One point to note is that from deplaning, to entering the vehicle, I looked for sanitizing stations. If there were any, they were not visible.
On Day 15, I received a call from a Health official who asked if I had had any symptoms (no) and then told me I was released from Quarantine. Yay! Then in a short 6 days, it was time to travel back, which involved an overnight stay in Barbados.
BARBADOS – OVERNIGHT IN TRANSIT
The protocols were the same as during my in transit visit. But this time, I had to give the name of the approved hotel at which I would be staying, to a representative just before departing the Customs hall. The taxi dispatcher gave me a slip containing my name, the hotel and the taxi fare. The taxi driver was armed with Disclin disinfectant and sanitizer….sign of the times we are living in!
THE GRENADA EXPERIENCE
I have to call the processing in Grenada an ‘experience,’ and what a positive one it was.
After being asked to sanitize prior to entering the Immigration hall, we were invited to sit. There was a sticker in the middle of the 3-chair seats, directing it to be left empty.
Once everyone was seated, the lady handed out Quarantine Agreement forms and directed us to listen to the gentleman who went through the form and advised what information to put where. For example, he gave the quarantine dates. There was also a video playing, which showed some of the Grenada sites.
After the form was completed, you were invited to line up, to speak with the Health official. The space was limited, so you sat and were then invited to line up, as persons were processed. The form was reviewed but not taken. I had to show my negative PCR test result and Grenada travel authorization receipt.
Next stop was another desk where the form was taken and my Pure Safe Travel Accommodation information ascertained. I was given an accommodation card with the name of my hotel written in, along with my name (I think). After Immigration and Customs, I exited the hall and gave the card to the dispatcher.
He directed me to the very colourful taxi. After both he and the driver loaded my luggage (yes, the dispatcher helped with my suitcases), the driver sanitized my hands.
OVERALL VERDICT
I did not set out on my trip, intending to write an article about my experiences. But I was so ‘wowed’ by the Grenada experience, that I felt compelled to share my thoughts. As someone with nearly 30 years in the Tourism industry, I felt that the Grenada experience went beyond expectations.
It took extra effort to fly during a pandemic, especially since I had to go through St Vincent and Barbados, to get to Jamaica. We now have new travel restrictions added to those created by the 9/11 and shoe bomber incidents.
The Grenada arrival experience was by far, the best of the 3 islands. They made arriving passengers comfortable, and infused the hospitality which Grenadians are known for, into every interaction.
Well done…and thank you….to all involved in designing the Grenada COVID-19 arrival experience.
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