Central American countries and the Dominican Republic are taking their first steps towards the reopening to tourists.
The countries have devised flight reactivation plans based on the recovery of air connectivity, as well as the establishment of biosecurity protocols.
While Guatemala and El Salvador will reopen airports to commercial flights in September with strong bio-security protocols in place, other countries in the region have already opened their country borders this month, such as Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicargua and Panama. Dominican Republic opened its borders to international tourism in July and has been managing the functioning of the travel and hospitality sector with limited capacity.
While Guatemala has prepared good practice guides for tourist activities in hotels, restaurants, tour operators, land transport, among tourist guides and in travel agencies, El Salvador has started local flights and continues to operate cargo and repatriation flights.
Belize has launched operational protocols for hotels and restaurants to welcome international travellers and have created the four-step guide called the Belize Health application, which seeks to guide tourists who are planning a trip to Belizean territory.
For more information, visit: https://belizetourismboard.org/news-and-gallery/belize-covid-19-update/
Costa Rica has opened its borders to visitors from the United Kingdom, but tourists must present a negative Covid-19 test at least 48 hours before departure and have travel insurance that covers a possible quarantine of 14 days before visiting the country.
The Honduran tourism sector has started training small and medium hotels about bio security protocols, while the air transport department is ready to start commercial activities
The first reopening tests will focus on outdoor activities and social distancing. For more information about protocols, visit http://canaturh.org/covid-19-turismo-honduras/
Augusto Sandino International Airport opened in the first weeks of August with strict guides and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). See protocols: https://www.intur.gob.ni/2020/07/protocolos-de-bioseguridad-del-sector-turistico/
Panama's Tocumen International Airport reopened in August to start commercial operations with tourists from countries with pandemic control. The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) has created a Post Covid-19 Strategic Plan, which includes financial support, training and stimulation of demand. For more information, visit:https://www.yomeinformopma.org/
