UK eases travel advice to Dominica

Non-essential travel now fine if visitors 'exercise caution'

Tuesday, 21st November 2017

The UK government has updated its advice for travellers heading to Dominica, no longer warning visitors should only go if essential.

In a statement yesterday, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned that despite the effects of Hurricane Maria, which caused widespread devastation to communications, buildings and infrastructure, “local communications and access are improving, and public and private sector businesses have reopened.”

Commercial flights are now operating from the Douglas-Charles airport and ferry options are also available.

Those heading to the Nature Island should “make sure you’ve made arrangements for accommodation and checked that it is still available,” the UK advised.

Earlier this month Colin Piper, the island’s director of tourism, said only 23% – or 243 – of pre-hurricane Maria hotel rooms remain open to guests, with 29% unlikely to be opened for at least 12 months.

Despite easing its guidelines, the FCO stressed that “the environment remains challenging”, especially in terms of electricity and water.

“There is still no electricity or mains water supply outside of the capital Roseau, and even there consistency of supply cannot be guaranteed.”

The head of power supplier DOMLEC told a press conference last week that they expect full restoration of power to be completed by April 2018.

A curfew also remains in place in Roseau even though the security situation has improved.