Aruba prepares for tentative June/July reopening

Aruba has joined the growing lists of Caribbean islands working to reopen its borders in the coming weeks.

On Friday Minister of Tourism Dangui Oduber announced that steps are being taken to resume operations on the island between June 15 and July 1.

A week earlier the government announced plans to reopen Aruba’s internal economy slowly.

Minister Oduber said the next logical step is to prepare for the reopening of the external economy.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aruba welcomed up to 20 000 visitors weekly; however, he said because of the virus many borders remain closed, and many people have temporarily lost their zeal to travel.

They anticipate a maximum of 2000 visitors weekly when the island reopens its borders.

The Minister said protocols are being drafted in consultation with stakeholders and will be implemented ahead of the scheduled reopening.

To date, Aruba has recorded 101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three virus-related deaths.

According to the Ministry of Health, 89 patients have since recovered.

Government officials have since implemented several restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus.

Residents are being asked to adhere to the amended curfew, which is now 10 pm to 5 am daily.

All businesses must suspend operations and close their doors by 9 pm and the ban on in-bound flights has been extended to May 31.