In response to Mark V Johnstone's letter:
My husband and I work in the hospitality industry, managing a resort in Belize. We own a home in Grand Bahama and have not been able to leave Belize for 12 months. The hospitality industry here, like the Bahamas has been decimated. It has been a really tough time for the islands and what many prospective visitors don't realise is that without strict protocols, the islands could not cope with COVID-19. In the past few weeks, Belize permitted PCR tests to be available for non -essential travel and so finally I have been able to make arrangements to come to Grand Bahama and check our home. The PCR test in Belize costs US$400.00, a hefty price but if you want to travel in these times, I have no other option.
Due to limited flights, I have to also overnight in Miami each way, further increasing the cost. Does that upset me? Hell no! I want to be back in my home, albeit just for a week. Am I upset about the restrictions? No. My Health Visa took less than an hour to be approved and I will be arriving in Grand Bahama tomorrow - I can't wait!
Worldwide, life is inconvenient right now and likely to be so for some time. Instead of whinging, go through the inconvenience, complete the protocols with the Health Visa, get on a plane and give something back to the Bahamas!
I have a feeling of guilt that I am able to do this whilst over 60 of our employees here in Belize are laid off with no financial assistance after 1 year.
Why are so many so selfish? Why do they not understand the implications of what could have happened if these restrictions were not in place? Grand Bahama, here I come!