Tourism Operations Remain Committed to the Welfare of All Saint Lucians
Castries, October 31, 2021 – The Ministry of Tourism and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), are aware of videos circulating via social media, depicting an unkindly expression of displeasure at an authorized cruise tourism operation on a “no movement Sunday”, where a bus stopped in a community for a bathroom break for some senior passengers. Contrary to the opinions being expressed, we wish to inform the public that in addition to preboarding requirements, cruise passengers to Saint Lucia are met with a full complement of protocols including being fully vaccinated, negative pre-boarding testing and health screening.
The Government of Saint Lucia maintains that its protocols must apply to both visitors and nationals. However, in some cases exceptions are made for businesses and activities that are critical for the growth of our economy. Even when doing so, every effort is made to ensure that there are no or little health risks to nationals.
The tourism industry touches many communities and many lives – construction workers, trades men and women, photographers, wedding planners, beauticians, florists, creative industries, hoteliers and hotel workers, craft people, farmers, taxi drivers, car rental companies, utility companies, manufacturing industry, DJs, duty free stores and many more.
“In our quest to protect lives and livelihoods, the Government of Saint Lucia continues to implement strict protocols to ensure health and safety whilst seeking to maintain our position as a premier cruise destination. We are cognizant that interruptions to cruise calls can result in a loss of service to the destination and thereby negatively impact the industry and its many dependents locally. It is therefore our mandate, to ensure that we continue to restore vitality to the sector while working in tandem with our cruise partners to maintain the highest standards of safety. It is why we have insisted that all passengers are vaccinated and present a negative COVID-19 test when embarking,” said Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information.
The public is called upon to participate actively and responsibly in the recovery of livelihoods and the fight against COVID-19 to get vaccinated and to be good ambassadors for our destination by treating each other with dignity and respect. We encourage Saint Lucians to provide the warm welcome that we are known for worldwide.
All Saint Lucia’s are being called upon to ensure we continue to build on work done, and to be united to be safe and restore as many livelihoods as possible.
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia, call 1-800-456-3984, or 1-888 4STLUCIA, or visit stlucia.org.
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Concerned Citizen -
Such a bullshit statement. There are many businesses contributing to the toirism industry why are these shuyband not authorized. We do not want a two st.lucia system. This government said they would do better. Shamw on you
Concerned Citizen -
Correction:
There are many businesses contributing to the tourism industry why are these shut and not authorized. Shame on you.
Jean G -
This is really unacceptable. Why are some.businessws authorized and others not. We want the same rules for everyone. So open restaurants to they add to the tourism economy.
John -
Hon Mon Hilaire that statement is ridiculous. Let everyone open up then. You are sending a very wrong message that white people are free and blacks stay inside
Chris -
What an ignorant statement… Just because the vast majority of tourists are white doesn’t mean that it’s a white or black issue. I’m white and live in St. Lucia so I’m just as locked down as you are!!
Concerned Citizen -
Idiot the majority of st.lucians are black so the perception will always be that white tourists are free to roam while the majority who are blacks have to be indoors. So this was a general statement not nuanced to you who are in the very slim minority. So step back
Albert james -
I really wish this government would operate better than the previous one. There should be equal treatment for all persons in the tourism sector. There are many vaccinated guests on lockdown. There are vaccinated at.lucoans on lockdown. While I may not agree with how the person addressed the visitors I completely agree with his frustration. If you want to open the country for some open for all. We all deserve equal treatment and rights. Stop this now. There will be more of it if you keep it up.
James -
I really wish this government would operate better than the previous one. There should be equal treatment for all persons in the tourism sector. There are many vaccinated guests on lockdown. There are vaccinated at.lucoans on lockdown. While I may not agree with how the person addressed the visitors I completely agree with his frustration. If you want to open the country for some open for all. We all deserve equal treatment and rights. Stop this now. There will be more of it if you keep it up.
James hann -
I really wish this government would operate better than the previous one. There should be equal treatment for all persons in the tourism sector. There are many vaccinated guests on lockdown. There are vaccinated at.lucoans on lockdown. While I may not agree with how the person addressed the visitors I completely agree with his frustration. If you want to open the country for some open for all. We all deserve equal treatment and rights. Stop this now. There will be more of it if you keep it up.
Olivia -
What shate mate talking deh. Just say yall want to imprison us in our own homes while putting the white man above us………AGAIN!
Sick of them fuckery -
D govermnet sell sundays for the white people ..there is no excuse or explanation for these action that were caught on camera ..shame on you …yall putting a bitter taste in st lucians mouths and its only a matter of time before they spit it out
I agree -
I agree with the Minister’s statement. When I saw the video, I too found it distasteful. My first reaction was, ‘I don’t like how this was done.’
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the frustration of being indoors and restricted. I too find it quite ANNOYING. But we cannot disrespect visitors in such a way. The people did nothing wrong. They were adhering to the protocols put in place for them and I can well imagine that the obscenity, as well as having a camera shoved in their faces, violating their privacy and vacation must not have been pleasant at all. It is a good point that the statement makes to note that we receive income from this sector. Self control and respect on the part of citizens goes a long way in marketing St. Lucia. There are avenues to voice views and make complaints. We must learn to express ourselves without violating the rights of others.
Sea -
Smh at lucians alot of us depend on tourist dollar to put food on our tables… the visitors came from the cruiseship what do yourll want the government to do send them back? The country is broke have a cruiseship at our post bring revenue to our country…we need to get vaccinated for things to get better
the truth -
how it touching the people, and the pm say dont go out and sell nothing, it only reaching the rich