The Ministry of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investments, and the DHTA, launched the Safe in Nature Programme as a means of allowing tourists from high-risk countries to quarantine at certified properties as part of a managed tourism experience.
In light of the evolving nature of COVID 19, new risks, highly contagious strains and reports that some properties were not adhering to the conditions of the certification, there was need to review the Safe in Nature programme to ensure that health and safety remained as priority.
The efficiency of the Safe in Nature certification programme depends on the capacity of the monitoring group to adequately monitor the implementation of protocols at all properties. This means that routine assessments, evaluations and on-site spot checks must be conducted continuously at the Safe in Nature properties.
To date, 65 properties have been certified as Safe in Nature, this equates to 596 rooms. Therefore, monitoring these properties has had serious implications on the capacity of the agencies involved. In light of this, a halt was placed on new certification of properties from January 15 to April 16, 2021 in order to conduct a thorough review of the programme, revise certification criteria, if necessary, and propose recommendations for enhancing the programme.
Recommendations were put forward from various agencies as to how better to implement the programme. Some of the recommended criteria spoke to the need for adequate security at the properties, certification, and training. All of these are necessary for the health and safety of all.
As is customary, these recommendations were shared with the DHTA on February 19, 2021 in order to receive feedback on the recommendations. This was in an effort to begin the dialogue towards enhancing Safe in Nature and most importantly, ensure that guests and locals are kept safe. This review process was by no means an attempt to shut down properties, but to ensure that the standards of Safe in Nature certification were maintained and improved to give guests and locals the assurance that their health and safety are still priority, even while tourists enjoy Dominica.
It is rather unfortunate that anyone would circulate the malicious and false statement that the Ministry of Tourism is about to terminate the programme.
We understand that COVID 19 has been challenging for those who depend on tourism for their livelihoods and the Government of Dominica stands ready to continue to support the sector towards fulfilling these criteria towards certification.
