France Shuts Down Caribbean, Polynesian Islands

The French government, fearing the spread of deadlier and more contagious variants of the Covid-19 coronavirus, has closed the borders of its overseas territories indefinitely, including those in the Caribbean and French Polynesia.

Caribbean destinations that fall into that category are St. Barts, St. Martin, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

The French government took this action “independently of the will of our local authorities [desire] to keep St. Barts open,” said Nils DuFau, president of the St. Barts Tourism Board. The island was among the first in the Caribbean to reopen to visitors back in late June.

DeFau said St. Barts has had “some” Covid cases, “but we have managed to keep it at bay and the situation is well managed and under control.

"We are right now negotiating to ease the entry restriction and find an alternative solution. Our aim is to reopen the island’s borders as soon as possible.”

Visitors currently on the island will be able to leave within a few days.

French Polynesia, which includes the islands of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea, has also temporarily halted inbound tourism, citing "the resurgence of Covid-19 cases around the world."

Source: Travel Weekly