COVID-19 Exit Strategy

On 6 April 2021, Executive Council agreed to a COVID-19 Exit Strategy. The considerations and terms of this strategy directly affect our ability as a nation to transition from this extended period of economic retraction and generate the economic activity needed to move us forward.

Protecting all residents of Anguilla remains focus of the Government of Anguilla. As such, the measures communicated below take into account the advisement of the Chief Medical Officer, with the Ministry of Health, as well as the guidance of the World Health Organisation. These steps will be managed with strict oversight from the Ministry of Health and partners in the public and private sectors.

A safe reopening of our borders is directly related to our realizing herd immunity to COVID-19. This is only achievable if a minimum of 70% of the population is vaccinated. Anguilla cannot successfully plan for or adopt policies and protocols that would cater to the increased economic activity without mitigating against the risk of mass importation of the virus or community spread.

Therefore, the COVID-19 Exit Strategy is designed to reduce the risk of importing the virus in an uncontrolled way by vaccinating residents, as well as requiring visitors to Anguilla to be vaccinated. The onus is on each resident to act responsibly so that we do not put the island at risk.

Executive Council has agreed to enact new Public Health Legislation and Regulations, which requires the vaccination of workers in identified high-risk workplaces or industries by July 2021. This step is inclusive of both the private and public sector. Over the next three months all public servants and employees in GoA Agencies, who interact with the public, will be required to take the vaccine, unless medically advised not to do so, or unable to take the vaccine for other valid reasons. The public service and its agencies have a duty of care to protect the health and safety of all employees and customers.

The Ministry of Health is in receipt of the final scheduled delivery of vaccines, which will expire in July 2021. Individuals required to vaccinate, should get the first dose by May 15th, 2021 to allow sufficient time to receive a second dose before the vaccines in July.

To add another step of mitigation Executive Council also agreed that by July 1, 2021 all visitors to the island eligible for vaccination MUST be fully vaccinated at least 3 weeks before arriving on island. Overall, these steps are not taken in isolation and there is a high possibility that similar measures will be taken across the wider Caribbean community and across the world. Travel by Anguillians for leisure, medical attention or otherwise will soon require vaccination for entry to some jurisdictions.

Residents are encouraged to seek out and be guided by the most credible sources where the efforts to combat COVID-19 globally is concerned. Speak with the Ministry of Health and review all communications to address any concerns about the vaccination policy and procedures.

The full details of the exit strategy, Frequently Asked Questions and information about how all residents can play their part will be published shortly. In the interim, a summary is available for perusal (in annex).

Annex

Measures as at 7 April 2021

These are subject to change dependent on the local and international epidemiological situation

Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – 30%

Control Measure:

• The quarantine period for persons with evidence of full COVID- 19 vaccination with final dose administered at least three weeks (21 days) before arrival date will be reduced to 7 days. Persons will still be required to submit a test 3-5 days before arrival date, tested on arrival and at the end of the quarantine period.
• Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons will all have to quarantine for a 10-day period utilizing only approved short stay services.
• PHE approved COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test will be approved for use for persons requiring test for onward travel only. These tests will not be utilized for persons entering Anguilla or to exit quarantine.
• Fees for visitors will be revised to $300 for individual + $200 for any subsequent persons on application
• Fees for returning residents and visitors staying in private accommodation will be:
  1. unvaccinated persons $600 for an individual +$200 for any additional persons
  2. vaccinated persons $300 for an individual + $200 for any additional persons.

Timeline – April 12^th, 2021

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Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – 50%

Control Measure:

• Persons travelling in groups (more than 10 persons) will be required to be vaccinated to enter and conduct any mass gatherings in Anguilla i.e. conferences, weddings etc.
• Spa, Gym and Cosmetology services will be permitted to short stay visitors if:
  • Both staff and visitors are fully vaccinated i.e. three weeks have passed since the final dose of an approved vaccine
  • Staff have completed an Infection Prevention and Control Training offered by Ministry of Tourism and HAA

• Fully vaccinated frontline workers will be permitted to offer services to mass gatherings for short stay visitors.
• Require COVID-19 vaccinations for frontline hospitality workers (first dose by 01 May)
• Certification with vaccination requirement for port and transportation staff (first dose by 01 May)

Timeline – May 1^st, 2021

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Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – 65-70%

Timeline – June 2021

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Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – Phase 1

Control Measure:

• All visitors to Anguilla who are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to be fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arrival.

• Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of individuals who are not eligible for the vaccine (i.e. children), will not need to quarantine, but they will need a negative PCR test 3-5 days ahead of arrival, and maybe tested on arrival and subsequently during their stay.
• Persons entering Anguilla will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days before entry.
• Persons with evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination will not be required to quarantine on arrival if the final vaccine dose is administered at least three weeks before date of arrival.
• Fully vaccinated persons will not be tested upon arrival.
• Unvaccinated returning residents will be required to:
  • Produce a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days prior to arrival
  • COVID-19 test on arrival
  • Quarantine for 10 days in approved accommodation
• Select Public Servants and employees of statutory bodies required to be vaccinated.
• Permit Holders for festivals will be required to admit only fully vaccinated individuals to festivals.

Timeline – July 1^st, 2021

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Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – Phase 2

Control Measure :

• Unvaccinated returning residents will be required to
  • Produce a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days prior to arrival
  • COVID-19 test on arrival
  • Quarantine for 7 days in approved accommodation
• When approved for use in persons under the age of 18, the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of required vaccines for children to attend school under the existing Education Act.

Timeline – September 1^st, 2021

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Vaccination Uptake est. (assumptions) – Phase 3

Control Measure:

• Application for entry removed – transport operators will be legally required to ensure that passengers have all necessary documentations for entry including:
  • Evidence of completed COVID-19 vaccination
  • Pre-arrival test for unvaccinated returning residents.
• All phase 2 provisions for unvaccinated persons remain in place.
• Legal requirement for businesses applying to provide services to short stay visitors removed entirely.

Timeline – October 1^st, 2021

To add another step of mitigation Executive Council also agreed that by July 1, 2021 all visitors to the island eligible for vaccination MUST be fully vaccinated at least 3 weeks before arriving on island. Overall, these steps are not taken in isolation and there is a high possibility that similar measures will be taken across the wider Caribbeancommunity and across the world.Travel by Anguillians for leisure, medical attention or otherwise will soon require vaccination for entry to some jurisdictions. Residents are encouraged to seek out and be guided by the most credible sources where theefforts to combat COVID-19 globally is concerned.Speak with the Ministry of Health and review all communications to address any concerns about the vaccination policy and procedures. The full details of the exit strategy, Frequently Asked Questions andinformation about how all residents can play their part will be published shortly.In the interim, a summary table is available for perusal(in annex).