Stylish getaways to St. Bart’s are paused during the pandemic.
The popular Caribbean getaway, where names like Jeff Bezos, Revlon owner Ronald Perelman, J. Lo and Gisele Bundchen are on vacation, is banning most travelers starting on Wednesday from adhering to the French government’s coronavirus restrictions . The island, a legal province in France, must currently comply with most French laws.
“Regardless of the willingness of our local authorities to keep St. Barts open, the French government has just decided to implement new preventive measures against the COVID-19 variants,” wrote Nils Dufau, chairman of the St. Barts tourism council.
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Effective February 3, the French government closed its borders with Saint Barthelemy in response to rising rates of coronaviruses worldwide. No visitor will be able to enter French overseas territories, including Saint-Martin, Martinique, Saint Pierre and Guadelopue, at this time, according to the São Bartolomeu Tourism Council.
Before the stoppage, travelers were not required to quarantine in St. Barts, provided they could provide proof of a negative coronavirus test result on arrival, or take the test on landing. Only those with “compelling reasons” (including medical, professional or family reasons) would be allowed.
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The tourism board, reacting to the news, has since expressed its feelings about the new restrictions.
“Regardless of the willingness of our local authorities to keep St. Barts open, the French government has just decided to implement new preventive measures against the COVID-19 variants,” wrote Nils Dufau, chairman of the St. Barts tourism council.
The St. Barts authorities are negotiating with the French government to ease restrictions. “Our goal is to reopen the island’s borders as soon as possible,” continues the statement.
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As of February 3, only those with “compelling reasons” (including medical, professional or family reasons) would be allowed to travel to St. Barths.