Category Archives: Caribbean

(Jamaica Gleaner) The government has granted approval for the 1,044 Jamaican ship workers aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship to disembark.

The process will begin tomorrow at noon in Falmouth.

In making the announcement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will create a sterile zone around the port to conduct COVID-19 testing.

Holness explained that the Jamaicans will disembarkin groups of 200 every 48-72 hours and taken to Bahia Principe hotel in St Ann.

The time window is to allow for the test results.

Holness said ship workers who test positive will go into state quarantine for 14 days while those who test negative will be allowed to quarantine at home for the same period.

Persons in home quarantine will have their location tracked and must do a video check-in multiple times a day, Holness said.

I understand the frustration the ship workers are facing, they are eager to see their families,we well understand but Jamaica is a country of rules. Rules dont mean we cant have sympathy and empathy to ensure that suffering is minimised.

We have learned a tough lesson as a governmentwe took note of the hardship cases right across the government and we brought them back. In bringing them back, we were not able to give them the good experience that they deserve, we cannot afford that to happen again, we have to ensure that we perfect the arrangements, Holness said.

Holness said over 9,000 repatriation applications have been received by the government.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the government is working to bring home nearly 900 additional Jamaican cruise ship workers.

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Over 1,000 Jamaicans on Royal Caribbean cleared to disembark - Stabroek News

Travel is restricted around the world but the United States has been flying migrants on hundreds of deportation flights to at least 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean since the pandemic began in the United States. There have been over 100 cases of migrants deported from the United States testing positive for COVID-19 upon being returned to Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico and Colombia.

These deportations demonstrate the lengths to which the Trump administration is willing to go to prioritize its harsh immigration enforcement agenda. Under a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order issued on March 20, the administration closed U.S. borders to asylum seekers but still allowed truck drivers, students and others to continue entering the United States.

Over 20,000 migrants have since been expelled to Mexico or rapidly flown to their home country. Worse still, hundreds of unaccompanied children have been subject to this cruel policy in direct violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act passed by Congress in 2008 to establish a process for migrant children to receive temporary shelter and be reunited with their family members throughout their immigration proceedings.

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These deportations also reflect the well-documented negligence in providing access to medical care and poor conditions for migrants in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency deporting migrants. Detainees have been denied access to soap, disinfectant and masks during this public health emergency. Carlos Ernesto Escobar Mejia, a Salvadoran man, became the first detained person to die from COVID-19 after having been hospitalized from the Otay Mesa Detention Center in California.

There is no way to know how many more immigrants could already have been exposed to COVID-19, as ICE has only tested a fraction of those within its migrant jails. Of the ones that the agency did test, about 50 percent tested positive for COVID-19. ICE is now shuttling immigrants back and forth between migrant jails that have had COVID-19 outbreaks and then deporting them with just a temperature check. ICE will be unable to administer tests for all deported migrants, and even when it does test them, there has already been at least one case of a migrant deported back with certification from the U.S. that he tested negative only to test positive in Guatemala. We cannot rely on testing or wait until it is implemented.

Regardless of whether or not migrants test for COVID-19 before being placed on flights, they are being returned to extremely unstable and dangerous situations in their home countries. In El Salvador, those deported are taken directly from the airport to one of at least nine quarantine facilities for deported migrants where there have been reports of flooding, lack of access to medical care, overcrowding and unhygienic conditions.

Governments are also taking increasingly repressive measures in response to COVID-19. Over 6,000 individuals have been arrested in Honduras for violating curfews or for protesting over layoffs and lack of food, and one man there was killed and another seriously injured by the military police. Curfews and suspensions to public transportation prevent families from accessing their relatives at airports or quarantine centers, which is especially concerning for unaccompanied children.

Migrants are being deported to some of the poorest countries in the hemisphere with extremely fragile health care systems. Haiti may have as few as 60 ventilators for a country of 11 million people. A presidentially appointed panel of medical experts in Haiti recently called for a suspension of deportation flights to the country.

Like much of the Trump administrations policies toward the region, deportations reflect a racist and myopic approach to Latin America and its people. The general attitude seems to be: It is not worth testing migrants for COVID-19 and it does not matter if they infect their communities when they are sent back.

Any measure that contributes to regionally spreading the disease or putting people at risk must be stopped immediately. A major outbreak of COVID-19 could be catastrophic, reads a statement from Doctors without Borders calling for a halt to deportations.

By exporting the virus, the United States is contributing to a destabilization of the region. There are already reports of growing food insecurity and deepening poverty due to COVID-19 in Latin America. Increased out-migration is likely to follow.

The United States should immediately halt deportation flights for as long as there is a public health emergency. Increasing testing of deported migrants alone is not the answer. Instead, the United States should release immigrants and asylum seekers and allow them to shelter in place with family and friends in the United States. It should also provide countries with assistance based on their public health needs, and not the extent to which they cooperate on migration enforcement. Doing so will make us all safer and help the region respond in these tough times, building its resiliency for the future.

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US Deportations Are Exporting COVID-19 to Latin America and the Caribbean - Truthout

In ordinary times, you can count on cruise lines to turn a profit. But, alas, these times are anything but ordinary, and as cruise ships lay dormant in ports around the world, a rethink is in order just to ensure survival.

That said, according to Wedbush analyst James Hardiman, Royal Caribbean (RCL) has enough liquidity available to see it through to February 2021 based on "an industry shutdown scenario.

How does Hardiman arrive at such a conclusion? With operations shuttered, Royal Caribbean recently said that its monthly cash burn rate is between $150-$170 million. But with the addition of further outlays such as hedging costs and debt service expenses, the figure increases to between $250-$275 million a month.

In the meantime, the company has secured a $3.3 billion loan through a private offering of senior secured notes. After paying back loans amounting to $2.35 billion, Hardiman estimates RCL will have $1 billion left, giving the company what we estimate would be pro-forma liquidity of ~$3.4B.

Hardiman adds to the mix another $20-$50 million of monthly cash outflows. Where does this leave Royal Caribbean?

Relative to the $3.4B of liquidity (with a $300M covenant-mandated floor), Hardiman says, This comes out to about 10 months of available liquidity on hand, which gets us into February of next year in a minimal revenue environment.

However, even in a worst-case scenario, Hardiman doesnt foresee RCL requiring a lifeboat, as it has further options.

The analyst concluded, "It remains to be seen whether or not RCL will be cash flow positive by early 2021, and yet we can appreciate what appears to be a hesitation to follow in the footsteps of both CCL and NCLH in significantly diluting shareholders by way of an equity offering. Such an offering nonetheless remains a viable option for the company, and so we have minimal concern that the company would actually run out of liquidity."

Accordingly, Hardiman keeps an Outperform rating along with a $63 price target. The implication for investors? Potential upside of 44% from current levels. (To watch Hardimans track record, click here)

All in all, the rest of the Streets outlook for the struggling cruise line is a mixed bag. A Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on 5 Buys, 6 Holds and 1 Sell. However, the bulls are at the helm, as the average price target comes in at $67.80 and implies potential upside of 55%. (See Royal Caribbean's stock analysis at TipRanks)

To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights.

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Royal Caribbean Can Make It Through to 2021, but Whats Next? - Yahoo Finance

Ambassador Edmunds

In response to the question posed on whether Caribbean tourism can rebound; what should governments and the private sector do in order to safely revive tourism in the region; and whether Caribbean governments should make their economies less dependent on tourism Ambassador Edmunds recently responded to the Inter-American Dialogues Latin America Advisor, with the following:

The rebooting of Caribbean tourism is critical, especially considering the adverse economic impact of the pandemic on the region an estimated GDP loss of more than $1 billion. The ability to earn foreign exchange and stem unemployment is top priority to ensure social stability, which, if lost, can equally affect the countries of the Caribbean and the United States.

Partnership programs built to address illicit trafficking and hemispheric security are diminished if the region is not able to regain its footing, as is the trade relationship, in which the United States currently enjoys a surplus and trading states are direct beneficiaries.

Regional governments and hoteliers are already working on protocols to protect nationals and visitors, and discussions with the airline and cruise industries on implementation of possible frameworks are ongoing. While recovery will be gradual, a public-private partnership between governments (including the United States) and industry that positions the region as a closed and trusted travel loop could be most helpful. More immediately, a lowering of the State Departments Global Level Advisory from 4, specific to the near-space Caribbean, would be ideal. Longer term, an agreement on a common virus testing regime between U.S. federal and state authorities and Caribbean officials would protect everyone.

To the question of economic diversification, while governments are already developing initiatives to address the current dependence on tourism, the fact remains that this industry currently leads all others in terms of employment and revenue. In order for any plans to be put in place for other industries, access to much of the revenue that tourism and associated industry provide will be the key.

The publication and inputs from other commentators can be foundhere

The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every weekday for scholars, government officials and informed business leaders invested in Latin Americas development and future. Subscribers include Apple,BMW, Citigroup, ExxonMobil, Google, and Mitsubishi, to name a few, as well as government agencies on four continents, and university libraries at Berkeley, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Notre Dame, among other top schools

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Ambassador Edmunds recent comments on Caribbean tourism in recent Latin America Advisor publication of the Inter-American Dialogue - The Voice St....

VISITORS TO the Caribbean received a much needed boost with the news that St Lucia will open its borders from June 4, reports ww.w.buzz-caribbean.com.

The website reports that with 18 recoveries and zero active cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet has announced that the island will reopen its international borders for non-essential travel, including tourists, as of Thursday, June 4.

Chastanet, who was giving an update on the St Lucian economy and the way forward on May 16, said that while the country reopens for tourists, he doesnt expect a huge influx of visitors considering respective efforts around the world to contain further spread of Covid-19.

Our international border is a critical component of our economic recovery.

Its a day we had envisionedwe expect that by June 4th, Saint [Lucias] international borders will be open. Sadly, not many countries are ready to open up their borders. So, just because weve opened, Im not expecting a rush of people to come in, he said.

Our international border is a critical component of our economic recovery. The [border] is substantially more complicated because it requires the participation and support of other countries, Chastanet added.

Hotels and other tourist attractions will be allowed to operate come June 4, however, the same rules of protocol adherence stipulated for businesses that have been allowed to reopen will be in effect. Those businesses must also submit their protocols for approval by the Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with Ministry of Health and local police.

The island is now at the transition phase of its public health management strategy of the coronavirus, Chastanet explained, adding that domestically the country is ready to coexist with the new disease.

The St Lucian PM continued that he felt it was important to let the world know that the island is ready.

Chastanet hinted at the growing likelihood of travel among member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as a first step in the gradual reopening of the lucrative tourism sector.

CARICOM announced earlier in May detailed plans to hopefully open borders solely for intra-regional travel in time for early June opting to establish a coordinated policy on the reopening of borders in the region.

Im very proud of the work St Lucia has initiated, and more importantly, were working with our brothers and sisters at the OECS level and now at CARICOM level to establish a common policy towards opening up our international borders, he said.

Its an important milestone to achieve because it makes it easier for the airlines coming in. [So], if we have 14 countries in the Caribbean that have a common position, then it makes it easier for us [to ensure] that those standards are adhered to. Im very grateful to all the Prime Ministers of CARICOM to agree that we share and come up with a common policy. We are working towards that initiative, Chatstanet added.

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Good news for visitors to the Caribbean as St Lucia looks to open borders from June 4 - The Voice Online

World Bank Group President David Malpass. (Reuters)

Washington Five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are among 100 developing countries that will benefit from a World Bank Group emergency operations to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Washington-based financial institution said Tuesday that since March, it has rapidly delivered record levels of support in order to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, reinforce health systems, maintain the private sector, and bolster economic recovery.

This assistance, the largest and fastest crisis response in the Bank Groups history, marks a milestone in implementing the Bank Groups pledge to make available US$160 billion in grants and financial support over a 15-month period to help developing countries respond to the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 and the economic shutdown in advanced countries.

The five Caribbean countries named are St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Dominica and Haiti.

The pandemic and shutdown of advanced economies could push as many as 60 million people into extreme poverty, erasing much of the recent progress made in poverty alleviation, said World Bank Group President David Malpass.

The World Bank Group has moved quickly and decisively to establish emergency response operations in 100 countries, with mechanisms that allow other donors to rapidly expand the programmes. To return to growth, our goal must be rapid, flexible responses to tackle the health emergency, provide cash and other expandable support to protect the poor, maintain the private sector, and strengthen economic resilience and recovery.

The World Bank Group said of the 100 countries, 39 are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It said nearly one-third of the total projects are in fragile and conflict-affected situations, such as Afghanistan, Chad, Haiti, and Niger and that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) have also fast-tracked support to businesses in developing countries, including trade finance and working capital to maintain private sectors, jobs and livelihoods.

The Bank Groups support through grants, loans and equity investments will be supplemented by the suspension of bilateral debt service, as endorsed by the Banks governors. IDA-eligible countries that request forbearance on their official bilateral debt payments will have more financial resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and fund critical, lifesaving emergency responses.

The bilateral debt-service suspension being offered will free up crucial resources for IDA countries to fund emergency responses to COVID-19, said Malpass.

Nations should move quickly to substantially increase the transparency of all their governments financial commitments. This will increase the confidence in the investment climate and encourage more beneficial debt and investment in the future, he added.

The World Bank Group said its operational response will strengthen health systems, support the poorest households, and create supportive conditions to maintain livelihoods and jobs for those hit hardest.

Country operations will deliver help to the poorest families through cash transfers and job support; maintain food security, nutrition and continuity of essential services such as clean water and education; target the most vulnerable groups, including women and forcibly displaced communities, who are most likely to be hit hard; and engage communities to support vulnerable households and foster social cohesion.

It said that the scale and speed of the Bank Groups response is critical in helping countries mitigate the adverse impacts of this crisis and prioritise the human capital investments that can accelerate recovery. (CMC)

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Five Caribbean countries among 100 to get World Bank aid - Nation News

Johnny Depps future in Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains uncertain. With all the legal issues hes facing against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, people behind the film franchise seem to have no idea what to do with his character.

Bruckheimer admitted that he, too, isnt sure if the 56-year-old actor can reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

The one were developing right now, were not sure quite what Johnnys role is going to be, he told Collider.So, were going to have to see.

However, he revealed that the next installment is now in the works, unveiling that theyre working on it right now. Were working on a draft right now, he said. Hopefully, well get it shortly and give it to Disney, and hopefully theyll like it.

Bruckheimer himself couldnt confirm Jonny Depps status on Pirates of the Caribbean 6. We dont know, he added. Weve been working on it for a little bit.

Amber Heards ex-husband debuted as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. It was a massive hit. So, he returned in Dead Mans Chest, At Worlds End, On Stranger Tides, and Dead Men Tell No Tales.

According to NME, Bruckheimer was behind all these films. Now, for the sixth installment, a new script is currently being written.

Johnny plays a vital role in the movie series. He has led all the first five film installments, which earned a combined total of $4.5 billion, Yahoo! Noted. He also earned a Best Actor nomination for The Curse Of The Black Pearl in 2003.

However, his life turned 360 degrees after Amber Heard accused him of physically and verbally abusing her throughout their relationship. They agreed for a settlement in August 2016 and officially divorced in January 2017, but their legal disputes continue.

Meanwhile, Bruckheimer is looking forward to the coming of Pirates of the Caribbean 6. But, there are claims that the next installment will be a reboot and may feature a new lead.

There are rumors Karen Gillan may take the lead role, replacing Johnny Depp. Anyhow, fans should only take this assumption with a grain of salt as Walt Disney has yet to comment about the issue.

Featured image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios/YouTube Screenshot

Originally posted here:

'Pirates of the Caribbean 6' producer breaks silence over Johnny Depp's future - Micky News

One of Toronto's most popular Caribbean restaurants specializing in roti for over 35 years has remodeled their menu to offer meal kits for takeout and delivery.

The Roti Hut has packaged their signature curry, stew and jerk meats along with veggies and of course, rotiinto a week's worth of meal kits that can be refrigerated or frozen.

Orders have to be placed 48 hours in advance of the intended pickup or delivery date, but they're delivering roti goodness as far as Oshawa, Whitby, Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, Brampton and Mississauga for a $15 - $18 fee.

It's worth it considering the meals add up to only $8.95 each ($62.65 for the full week of meals) and are fully customizable, with options to mix and match your favourites like jerk chicken, curry duck, curry shrimp, oxtail, pumpkin, spinach and paratha or dhalpourie roti.

You can also technically stretch your dollar even further than a week, as the meals are good for four days in the fridge or three months in the freezer. Our quarantine roti prayers have been answered.

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Popular Caribbean joint in Toronto is now doing roti meal kits for takeout and delivery - blogTO

A third of Grenada, about 100 miles north of Venezuela, is agricultural, with top exports including nutmeg, cocoa and mace, with cinnamon, turmeric and other spices also being cultivated.

Many farms on the oval-shaped island were once devoted primarily to nutmeg, a top export and so important to the country it appears on the national flag. However, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 destroyed most of the nutmeg trees (as well as much of the island) and cocoa, whose trees mature faster than nutmeg, is increasing in importance.

Introduced to Grenada by French settlers in 1714, raw cocoa for centuries was exported overseas for processing. But Grenada pioneered tree-to-bar chocolate in the region, with a former New Yorker named Mott Green establishing the Grenada Chocolate Company in the late 1990s. The island now has five chocolate factories, along with many cocoa farms, that will educate visitors on the various processes harvesting, drying, fermenting and more required to make chocolate and other cocoa products.

At Belmont Estate, a 400-acre, 300-year-old farm in the north of the island, travelers can tour the fields and cocoa processing facilities, and end their visit at the on-site restaurant which serves organic vegetables grown on the farm as well as the local cocoa tea.

Kim Russell, co-owner of Crayfish Bay Organic Cocoa Estate, calls cocoa tea an acid trip on chocolate. (His version includes coconut milk and a drop of rum, for enhancing the chocolate flavor.) He also offers tours of his farm and factory, but its much more informal. Visitors should plan, he said, to eat a lot of chocolate and listen to me talk for two hours.

If you dont have a car, St. Georges, Grenadas picturesque capital known for its brightly painted buildings and scenic harbor, offers the chance to learn about the islands sweet chocolate history at the new Tri-Island Chocolate Factory Cafe, where visitors can make their own bars, and The House of Chocolate, a small museum, boutique and cafe.

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5 Caribbean Islands Where You Can Go Beyond the Beach - The New York Times

A Carnival cruise ship docked at the Jamaican resort town of Ocho Rios in 2018. Photo by Emma Lewis, used with permission.

As anxiety grows over the spread of COVID-19 outside China, the Caribbean region is becoming increasingly nervous. As of March 3, 2020, three cases of the coronavirus have been confirmedin St. Martin and St. Barthlmy, and another in the Dominican Republic small nations that remain vigilant as authorities fine-tune already existing response measures.

There are concerns, however, that some island territories are ill-equipped to deal with an outbreak on the scale of COVID-19. As at the time of publishing, there were 95,079 known global cases, with 51,432 recoveries and 3,249 deaths, but the figures are constantly changing.

On Twitter, journalist Jacqueline Charles, who reports for the Miami Herald, wondered whether Haiti could cope with the fallout should the virus spread across the border from the Dominican Republic:

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are not limited to the health sector; despite the silver lining of massively reduced carbon emissions from China since the lockdown over the illness, there have also been negative repercussions for international trade, travel and the global economy.

On February 28, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) upgraded its coronavirus risk for the Caribbean from moderate to high, urging health authorities of CARPHA member states toshift their mindset from preparedness toreadiness and rapid response and continue to do everything necessary to strengthen their capacity to respond to the possible importation of cases.Member states were also encouraged to increase their surveillance capacity and urgently adapt national pandemic preparedness plans to deal with COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which represents 15 member states and five associate member states, had planned a special emergency meeting in Barbados to discuss a regional strategy, but since the confirmation of the three COVID-19 cases, a virtual meeting took place instead. During the session, which was streamed live on Facebook on March 1, CARICOM Chair and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley announced a regional protocol to handle the virus, following advice from two earlier meetings among regional health officials.

The Caribbean cruise industry experienced a boom year in 2019. In Jamaica, cruise ship passengers made up over 1.5 million of the 4.3 million visitors to the island, but now the industry is beginning to struggle with the fallout from COVID-19. Jamaica's Ministry of Tourism has reportedly downgraded its projected earnings.

Several cruise ships have either been delayed in ports or turned away altogether, because of concerns over passengers showing symptoms that could be associated with the virus. In other cases, passengers from high-risk countries have not been allowed to disembark.

On March 4, a cruise ship carrying hundreds of passengers who boarded in St. Martin (where at least one case has been confirmed) was allowed to dock at Port Royal a port near Kingston, which received its first cruise ship with much fanfare back in January. News reports are hinting at some developing tension between the country's health and tourism ministries over the issue, with Minister of Health Christopher Tufton stressing in a radio interview that the government will not take any unnecessary risks.

There is so much at stake for the cruise line industry that representatives attended the March 1 CARICOM meeting to help ensure that the agreed protocols embraced security and health concerns, and that there would be structures in place to facilitate proper communication between regional governments and cruise operators.

Some cruise lines, however, are beginning to push back against the interim regulations imposed by Caribbean governments. MSC Cruises, which had a ship turned away from both Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, finally docked in Mexico, where President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obradorcommented: We cannot act with discrimination. Passengers turned out to have simply had the flu.

Jamaicas tough stance on cruise ships has also upset operators like Carnival Cruises, who withdrew stops in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands over the past week.

However, many social media users agree that the restrictions are warranted under the current circumstances, as public health comes first:

The nerves continue. Another Jamaican tweeted:

Given the situation, Caribbean Airlines, the main regional carrier, is also reviewing its health and safety measures. In Trinidad and Tobago for instance, passengers from flights originating in countries with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reported having to pass through an infrared scanner before being allowed to enter the country.

Caribbean citizens have begun, somewhat reluctantly, to limit social contact and avoid the customary hugs or kisses of greeting between friends and family, and handshakes between colleagues and business associates. Well-known Jamaican broadcaster Fae Ellington declared:

Meanwhile, the overall economic impact on small island economies remains to be seen. Despite assertions by Jamaicas Minister of Finance, Nigel Clarke, that there were no cancellations of tourist bookings from the United States (which represents approximately 75 percent of Jamaican visitors), Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, did not appear sanguine in a radio interview towards the end of February. Private sector representatives who are expecting price rises also do not appear confident. The many small businesses and attractions on the ground that depend on cruise ship business are particularly anxious, with one noting that the major losers are the people of Jamaica, the taxi drivers, the vendors.

One Jamaican Twitter user expressed anxiety over COVID-19's potential impact on tourism, a major earner of foreign exchange for the island:

Another shared:

As the Caribbean braces itself for additional cases of COVID-19, however, economic impacts are not the priority. The region is not taking any chances with the illness, which has, thus far, already claimed thousands of lives across the globe.

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Caribbean tourism threatened by the region's first cases of COVID-19 - Global Voices