Daily Archives: October 5, 2020

Location 165 miles SSW of Negril Jamaica Wind 60 mph Heading W at 7 mph Pressure 29.47 Coordinates 79.2W, 16.1N Discussion

At 200 PM EDT (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Delta was located near latitude 16.1 North, longitude 79.2 West. Delta is moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/h), and a turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today. A faster northwestward motion is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Delta is expected to move away from Jamaica later today, move near or over the Cayman Islands early Tuesday, and approach western Cuba and the Yucatan Channel Tuesday afternoon or evening. Delta is forecast to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday night, and be over the south-central Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Delta is expected to become a hurricane tonight or Tuesday before it nears western Cuba.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

None

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for, * Cuba province of Pinar del Rio

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for, * Cuban province of Artemisa * Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for, * Cayman Islands including Little Cayman and Cayman Brac * Isle of Youth

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for, * Cuba province of La Habana

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests in the northeastern portion of the Yucatan peninsula should monitor the progress of this system.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.

Key messages for Delta can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT1, WMO header WTNT41 KNHC, and on the web at http://www.hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT1.shtml.

STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the south coast of western Cuba near and to right of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Cayman Islands beginning late today or tonight. Hurricane conditions are expected within the Hurricane Warning area in western Cuba by late Tuesday afternoon, with tropical storm conditions expected by Tuesday morning. Hurricane conditions are possible on the Isle of Youth beginning Tuesday afternoon with tropical storm conditions expected by early Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the Tropical Storm Watch area in Cuba on Tuesday.

RAINFALL: Through midweek, Delta is expected to produce 4 to 6 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 8 inches across Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and western Cuba. This rainfall could lead to significant flash floods and mudslides.

Follow this link:

Delta Quickly Strengthening Over The Caribbean - KSAT San Antonio

Caribbean destinations are updating COVID-19 procedures and protocols as they re-open borders and expand access to more international travelers.

Tourism officials in Belize and Grenada this week adjusted their entry and visitation policies as major airlines establish new routes and island hotels and resorts resume operations.

Travelers can now visit Belize via American Airlines non-stop departures from Miami and United Airlines service from Houston following the October 1 reopening of the countrys borders, said Belize Tourism Board (BTB) officials. Delta Airlines will also resume non-stop service to Belize from Atlanta beginning November 20.

Belize has established a Safe Corridor for travelers encompassing hotels, restaurants and tour operators that have achieved Tourism Gold Standard designation. Organizations that have implemented a nine-point BTB program of health and safety training designed to ensure both employees and travelers are confident in the organization or activitys cleanliness and safety.

Were confident the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program and Gold Standard Seal of Approval will allow travelers and the tourism industry to operate safely as COVID-19 restrictions are eased, said Karen Bevans, BTBs director of tourism. While visitors will need to adhere to our new normal entry requirements and safety protocols, their experience will remain authentic to Belizes adventurous spirit.

Trending Now

Gold Standard hotels and resorts are authorized to provide guests with services including roundtrip airport transportation, isolated tours and access to on-site restaurants, pool and beachfront. Hotels in the program are required to perform enhanced cleaning of rooms, public spaces and high-touch surfaces, plus daily guest and employee health checks. Properties must also establish online check-in and -out and contactless payment systems an.

BTBs Gold Standard tour operators are required to conduct temperature checks when picking up guests, ensure social distancing among workers and visitors during tours, and provide enhanced tour equipment cleaning. Operators must also have a response plan should there be any suspected COVID-19 cases.

BTB personnel continue to process hotel and resort applications for Gold Standard certification and inspect additional hotels, Bevans said. Travelers are advised to visit BTBs website for approved properties and updated information, including entry requirements and procedures.

Going to Grenada

Grenada this week reopened its borders to travelers from high-risk countries including the U.S.as JetBlue Airways and American Airlines are resuming nonstop flights to the destination. Visitors are required to stay in accommodations certified under the Grenada Tourism Authoritys Pure Safe Travels program.

Grenada visitors from the U.S. are also required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within seven days of travel and book a minimum four-day stay for observation and quarantine. Visitors will undergo health screenings, including temperature checks, upon arrival.

Travelers are required to download a mobile app for contact tracing, and guests have the option of spending their entire stay at their approved accommodations or taking an additional PCR test to extend their stay and enter the community.

The islands largest property, the 269-room Royalton Grenada, is scheduled to reopen on November 29. Meanwhile, several premier Grenada resorts also reopened this week, including Sandals Grenada and Silversands Grenada, which will debut new cleaning, sanitization and distancing measures, along with flexible cancellation policies, said company officials.

Silversands Grenada will also offer several new packages for the festive and winter season, including a Stay 4, Pay 3 Thanksgiving package from November 22 to 30, 2020. Rates start at $800 per room, per night, with one complimentary night in any room category and a Thanksgiving feast featuring Grenadian cuisine and traditional American fare.

Silversands' Book Now Festive Offer from Dec. 18, 2020 to Jan. 5, 2021 is priced at $1,200 per room per night and includes a 30-minute massage, a $200 resort credit ($500 for villa guests) and 20 percent off published rates.

Read the original:

What You Should Know Before Traveling to These Caribbean Countries - TravelPulse

As part of its program to help the regions tourism sector rise to the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Caribbean Tourism Organization is teaming up with the worlds leading international tourism agency and other regional and international organizations for a recoveryevent for the industry.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization, global market research firm Euromonitor International, the U.K.s Travel Foundation and the University of the West Indies are collaborating with the CTO to put together the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Forum on Oct. 14 and 15, 2020.

From the onset of COVID-19, the CTO has sought expertise to assist our members with immediate, short-term and long-term recovery planning as they navigate the path towards rebuilding the regional tourism sector, said Neil Walters, the CTOs acting secretary general. Through this forum we are again able to capitalize on our close relations with these reputable organizations to provide insights and analyses about the sector, as well as explore some of the key areas that must be addressed to ensure success in the Caribbeans tourism recovery process.

The event, which will be held virtually, will also incorporate a capacity building element, in the form of a workshop to assist destinations in applying a structured, measurable model to their own national planning.

The first segment on Oct.14 will be aimed at increasing awareness of the steps involved in planning recovery and improving knowledge of the role of stakeholders in the recovery process.

A range of areas will be covered, including the economic impact of COVID-19, travel sentiment and forecast, considerations around a vaccine, best practices for recovery and a model for sustainable tourism post-COVID.

Presenters for this session will include Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International;

Professor Clive Landis, Chairman, University of the West Indies COVID-19 Taskforce;Alejandro Varela, Deputy Regional Director for the Americas at UNWTO;Jeremy Sampson, Chief Executive Officer at The Travel Foundation.

This segment is open to CTO members and partners in tourism and related fields and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The second segment on October 15 will target government members of the CTO for a Smart Recovery planning workshop facilitated by The Travel Foundation.

The workshop will combine learning and development, and post-implementation assessment.

For more, visit the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

CJ

Read the rest here:

Virtual Event to Focus on Caribbean Tourism Recovery - Caribbean Journal

RFA Argus, alongside her Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, Royal Marines and US Coast Guard teams, worked with Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Groningen to seize 1.7 tonnes of cocaine and 28kg of amphetamines.

The bust was the second in two days after seizing 264kg of cocaine in a separate operation in the region just 48 hours before.

The Armed Forces are committed to tackling organised crime, both at home and overseas, and work with our allies around the world to help protect our people and interests.

The Royal Navy has once again demonstrated its professionalism and tactical operational capability in an international effort to stop illegal drug-smuggling. It is with thanks to their efforts that 160 million worth of drugs will never reach the streets of the UK.

The first of the two recent busts came when two suspicious vessels were spotted near RFA Argus and patrol ship Groningen. A Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron was launched with a Royal Marine sniper team from 42 Commando on board. Using advanced sensors and cameras, the helicopter team stopped the suspect vessels before a team made up of Royal Marines from 47 Commando, the US Coast Guard and personnel from HNLMS Groningen boarded the vessels to undertake the search.

Just two days later, RFA Argus was conducting routine training when one of its Merlin helicopters spotted a suspicious craft. The 28,000-tonne vessel changed course to give chase and the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters worked with HNLMS Groningen to allow the US Coast Guard to intercept the craft.

This recent interdiction is yet another example of multi-national co-operation in the Caribbean.

I am proud that the team of RFA Argus, utilising 815 and 845 Naval Air Squadron helicopters, boats crewed by RFA personnel and Royal Marines from 47 Commando, were able to take the lead in an operation alongside our US Coastguard and Dutch Navy colleagues.

The Royal Navy Caribbean task group have now prevented nearly a quarter of a billion pounds worth of drugs reaching the UK after three separate drugs busts also took place last month.

RFA Argus is in the Caribbean as part of a Royal Navy task group with HMS Medway providing support to British Overseas Territories during hurricane season. Both ships also continue to carry out maritime security and counter-narcotics operations in the region.The UK works in partnership with allied nations in the Caribbean as part of the Joint Interagency Task Force South, which detects and monitors activity to support security operations from its base in Florida.

Read the rest here:

Royal Navy seize 160 million worth of drugs in the Caribbean - GOV.UK