By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT

tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net

SOME residents of Harbour Island are complaining that tourists are not following COVID-19 protocols, but MP for the area Ricky Mackey told The Tribune that the matter is under control and protocols will be enforced.

A resident of Harbour Island took to social media yesterday complaining that visitors from the United States were seen on the island not wearing masks and not adhering to social distancing.

“Just yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at about 6pm we had a conference call with all of the hotel owners and stakeholders in Harbour Island along with the minister of tourism,” Mr Mackey explained.

“At this time, the discussion relative to social distancing, the wearing of face masks and it was indicated to them, along with some of the other concerns that they may have, that we will be ensuring that all of these protocols would be strictly enforced.

“The hotels have agreed to convey that information on to their guests and I can say to you that while there are sporadic instances where there are persons who have been seen without their masks, the police are vigilantly on the streets and ensuring that does not happen.”

He said that under the guidance of ASP Nigel Rolle and Inspector Farquharson the protocols are being enforced and officers are very vigilant.

“Yes you will see a couple of persons without a mask,” Mr Mackey continued. “In fact I had to tell a couple of persons yesterday to wear their face masks, but they are pretty much abiding by the rules. Everyone is taking it seriously.

“I can say categorically that most persons are adhering to the face mask protocol. Wherever you go you would see that there are some people who are not adhering to it but they quickly adjust when they are told to wear their face mask. I am quite sure that you know there is a debate going on throughout the world in terms of the wearing of face masks but I can say categorically that there is great abidance by that here in Harbour Island.”

Harbour Island is known for its three-mile-long beach that bears pink sand and thousands of tourists flock there throughout the year for the natural beauty.

Mr Mackey addressed what could be fears of the Harbour Islanders since the borders opened to commercial international travel on Wednesday.

“Obviously there is a fear that is going on because we are first opening up now and persons are coming out and because of the spike in COVID cases that is taking place in neighbouring Florida, there are people who are concerned and rightly so I would say pretty much so that there is great adherence to the face mask rule,” he pointed out.

“I will tell you, everybody is very cautious about it and I am sure you have been noticing that some of the very persons that have been very much against the lockdown are now angry that we are letting tourists in, but we are adhering to the COVID-19 preventative protocols.”

Asked about the situation with the tourists, resident Aubrey Percentie said she feels the country should not be opened up so soon.

“I don’t feel comfortable with these people coming into our country so soon,” Ms Percentie said. “We can catch anything from them. They walking around with no mask on talking and laughing. We don’t know what’s going on with them. This is not fair to the citizens of this country. We were locked down for months and finally let out, now we have to be scared the tourist give us coronavirus.”

The Tribune also reached out to the manager of the tourist office in Harbour Island, but she was not available for comment at the time.