Photo: Courtesy of twenty20photos 

Safe Travel: Safe Places

Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are caught between desperately wanting to get away and carefully weighing out the safety of doing so. A simple solution? Travel somewhere beautiful, relaxing, and safe: or, in other words, somewhere that has a low COVID-19 case count.  

The Caribbean islands of Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and the British Virgin Islands meet these criteria. Although all of the islands have COVID-19 entry requirements; with stunning beaches, golden sunshine, and low COVID-19 case counts; these Caribbean destinations are appealing getaway options.  

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Anguilla has only had 18 COVID-19 cases to date (cnbc.com). Travelers must be pre-approved to enter and test negative for COVID-19 before arriving, upon landing, and again after a "stay in place" period of either 10 or 14 days (depending on from where travelers are visiting). 

The 100-square-mile island country of Saint Kitts and Nevis has registered 41 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic (cnbc.com). All incoming travelers must be approved to enter and test negative before arriving, including children and vaccinated people. 

Home to around 112,000 people, Grenada has confirmed 148 coronavirus cases in total (cnbc.com). Before departing, travelers must book accommodations, register for a certificate to enter, and test negative for COVID-19. After arriving, travelers must quarantine and pass a PCR test on the fifth day, with results about two days later. 

Similar in numbers to Grenada, Dominica has registered 151 total cases (cnbc.com). Travelers from high-risk countries must stay at certified accommodations and take certified transportation to select locations around the island for the initial five to seven days of a trip. Other travelers are "monitored" at their accommodations, which Dominica's tourism authority defines as in-person and phone interviews and assessments. 

With a population of 30,000 people, the British Virgin Islands has 153 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Visitors are required to test upon arrival, download a tracing app (or wear a wristband monitoring device), and quarantine for four days in their hotel or villa.  

Sources: 

cnbc.com