NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Government must make visitor travel requirements and restrictions “crystal clear” as soon as they are promulgated, according to one out island resort operator.
Molly McIntosh, general manager of the Bluff House Beach Resort and Marina, Green Turtle Cay Abaco told Eyewitness News the lack of clarity remains the “biggest complaint I’ve received”.
McIntosh said communicating the restrictions and requirements for travel to potential guests as soon as they are available is one of the main challenges currently being faced.
“Everyone understands that the situation is ever-changing and we want people to feel safe and comfortable traveling to the Bahamas and also to protect Bahamians, particularly the people that are most vulnerable,” McIntosh said.
“I think that if the government makes the requirements crystal clear, even if they have to change, as long as it is dated and is clear and is published as soon as it is mandated. There should not be contradicting statements within the same post. The biggest complaint that I have received is that there is no sure knowledge of what to do and how to do it, in order to come to the Bahamas.”
She continued: “I hope that the government will work with the charter airlines to make it easy for people that want to come into the smaller islands or airports that are not currently ports of entry. It would be wonderful to make it possible for the charter airlines to administer the rapid antigen test before passengers board to come to the Bahamas.
“Then the planes could fly into places like Treasure Cay, Abaco, Cat Island, Long Island, and different parts of Andros. Training should also be made available to islands or resorts to be able to do the rapid antigen test that has to be taken again by guests staying more than four nights. This would provide benefits of employment to a few Bahamians, keeping people out of high traffic areas, thereby reducing the risk of contracting and spreading COVID 19 and making it convenient and less expensive for tourists that want to go to the more remote areas of the Bahamas and spend their money but still be safer than if they were in the high population areas where testing is going to be readily available.”
McIntosh also noted that banking on Abaco remains a challenge.
“We are really hindered in our ability to do business by a lack of banking facilities and by the banks unwilling to accommodate out-islanders. I had to travel to Nassau to get cash to be able to pay the few staff I had working,” she said.
“The biggest help that the government can give all of us in Abaco is to extend all the exemptions due to the hurricane. Many businesses, including Bluff House, have been hindered in their rebuilding efforts due to COVID-19 and have been unable to order in the equipment, building supplies, and furniture necessary to reopen.”
McIntosh said: “Now when you order, there are delays in getting the things shipped because of low supply in the states again due to COVID 19 closures and slowdowns. Many individuals have been unable to find work and have had to use the money available to them to stay afloat and purchase food and pay bills and haven’t had money coming in that they could use to replace the things they lost in Hurricane Dorian. We need more time. It is a good investment for the government because encouraging business to get open will bring in more money to the government in the long run.”
McIntosh noted that while Bluff House is not open efforts are underway to open the beach bar-restaurant, its villas, and possibly its luxury suites, for the Christmas/New Year.
“We hope to fully open in March of 2021 with our marina coming online,” she added.
“We are getting a great deal of inquiries and have a couple of weddings booked for next year. All is dependent on how easy and safe it is for guests to get to us. Our marina guests are most eager to come back and I think a lot of our business, in the beginning, will be by boat.”
