A country that, needless to say, just mentioning its name makes you dream
When Christopher Columbus first set foot on these lands in 1493, he gave them the name of the church of S. Maria de la Antigua in Seville. Barbuda was added only in the mid-800th century, like many of the islands forming part of the British West Indies. The independence of this state came only recently, in 1981.
A country which, needless to say, just by pronouncing its name, Antigua and Barbuda, it makes you dream. A true paradise. On Antigua alone there are 365 beaches, one every day of the year. Among the most iconic is Rendez Vous, which is located on the south coast of the island. It is characterized by a coastline of white, uncontaminated and wild sand with a sea of ​​an intense turquoise color and absolutely crystalline.
But "Green Island" is also wonderful, a green island off the coast of Nonsuch Bay, on the Atlantic coast. It is a wild and uninhabited island, with white sand beaches, a true paradise, a destination for day trips by boat.
Little Barbuda is a paradise of peace and tranquility, undoubtedly less worldly than Antigua. The western coast is a succession of fabulous white beaches, the most famous of which, the one from Palmetto Point to Cedar Tree Point, is tinged with pink at the first light of dawn, due to the optical effect of the tiny shells brought by the sea. The beach of Gravenor Bay is also enchanting, attracting many snorkelling enthusiasts.
After the Coronavirus pandemic which forced the government to close the islands to tourism, Antigua and Barbuda are ready to welcome visitors again in search of sun and relaxation, albeit with a gradual and controlled approach. In this sense, some safety protocols have been introduced, from arrivals at ports of entry, land transfers, stays in resorts, restaurants, tours and attractions. Here are the rules for those wishing to visit the islands:
• All arriving passengers must be in possession of a mask to be used upon disembarkation and which must be worn in public areas throughout their stay on the islands.
• All arriving passengers must complete a health declaration. They will be carried out at the entrance screening and temperature measurement; in addition, passengers may be required to undergo a rapid antigen test upon arrival or at hotels.
• Regarding i airport transfers, a single vehicle can accommodate up to 4 members of the same family, while commercial passenger transport vehicles with larger capacity can only use 50% of the seating capacity (for example, 7 passengers in a 15-seater vehicle ). The vehicles must be cleaned and sanitized after each journey and must all be equipped with hand sanitizer. All vehicles will be subject to random inspections by healthcare personnel and certified vehicles will have to visibly display a sticker indicating safety approval.
• Passengers arriving by boat (private yachts/ferries) are subject to the guidelines issued by the port health authorities.
• All pleasure craft and ferries will only have access to the Nevis Street Pier.
• All accommodation facilities, including hotels, resorts, villas and rental homes, are required to comply with the provisions of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and must be certified before reopening to welcome visitors.
• Catering protocols include thorough cleaning and sanitization of frequently touched surfaces and the introduction of personal distancing measures, while catering will be offered à la carte, takeaway or home delivery instead of the buffet service.
Source: Press office
