Most tourism workers fear COVID-19 infection – survey
Published:Monday | June 8, 2020 | 12:28 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Even as Jamaica presses ahead with the reopening of the island to tourists on June 15, most of the industry’s workers are viewing the decision with concern, an islandwide Tourism Worker Sentiment Survey has shown.
The Ministry of Tourism-commissioned survey revealed that 55 per cent of workers were highly fearful of COVID-19 infection but said they needed the income, while 45 per cent have stated that they are feeling mostly safe about returning to work but still had reservations.
While empathising with the workers, Omar Robinson, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), said that the implementation of the protocols would go a long way in allaying the fears through the consistent use of the training and sensitisation of the new procedures, along with the required personal protective equipment, which will have to be provided by the companies.
A total of 73 per cent of staff recommended mandatory COVID-19 testing for both staff and tourists, while 63 per cent also recommended mandatory masks for staff and tourists.
The JHTA president said that now that the discussions have moved away from pretesting worldwide for travel, he welcomes the robust protocols that will guide the safe operation of all of the island’s tourism entities – from airport, to transportation, to attraction.
The concerns of the workers about testing have been echoed by the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), which expressed consternation in a media statement on Friday about the Government’s decision to allow non-nationals to enter the country without being tested for SARS-CoV-2.
INT’L PACT NEEDED
Contending that it recognised that the economy must be reopened to visitors and returning residents, the MAJ said “it must be done in a manner that includes the adherence to sound public health principles”.
The MAJ, the umbrella organisation for all professional medical associations and societies, said this could be achieved by way of “international conventions agreeing to have persons who are going to travel overseas be included in a cohort of persons with easy access to PCR (polymerise chain reaction) testing, which detects the presence of antigens as opposed to antibodies, and which tells earlier whether or not someone is infected”.
The JHTA, in its response, insisted that its members were ready to safely open the tourism sector in keeping with Jamaica’s COVID Resilient Protocols and that it welcomes “the mandatory use of masks by both staff and visitors and sees this as an important barrier against possible infection”.
However, there may be an unexpected stumbling block to the wearing of masks.
Travel agents watching last Thursday’s digital briefing hosted by the Ministry of Tourism said their guests were averse to wearing masks at all times in the Jamaican heat and so would defer their trips.
“I do not see tourism returning until masks are no longer an issue. No one wants to go on their vacation and wear a mask while sitting in a pool, beachside, or watching shows or relaxing at the lounges. People aren’t going to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy half a vacation,” Pam Smith said.