Archive
Christmas Greeting from the Consul General
Dear Nationals and Friends,
Merry Christmas to you and your families! It is hard to believe that the Yuletide season is upon us and that we will soon welcome a new year. Thank you to all who have supported us over the past year. Your telephone calls to check in and say hello or to offer your assistance in support of the work of the office are deeply appreciated.
The Christmas season often brings a feeling of good cheer and generosity. Perhaps it is the decorative lights, spirits and carols that generate these happier feelings or maybe these feelings are present because this is the one time of the year that we are more focused on bringing happiness to others rather than being focused on ourselves. This holiday season, I ask that we remember those for whom this will not be a time of celebration but one of sadness and despair. Please reach out to those who may need extra love and support.
As you gather with family and friends, take the time to create memories filled with love and laughter. Cherish those you hold dear; never waste an opportunity to tell them that you love them.
I wish you and your family every blessing for the holiday season and a safe and prosperous 2023.
Ann-Marie Layne
Consul General
Colin James, CEO-ABTA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LATEST CANADIAN TRAVEL ADVISORY CAUSES AIR CANADA TO SUSPEND SERVICES TO ANTIGUA
ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (January 3, 2022) – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is informing travellers of the recent decision by Air Canada/Air Canada Vacations to suspend flights to Antigua commencing January 31, 2022. Approximately ten other destinations including, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Curacao, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have been affected by this decision.
The news comes following a recent Travel Advisory issued by the Canadian Federal Government that has advised Canadians against non-essential travel. The Advisory issued on December 17, 2021, states “The Government of Canada is advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside of Canada at this time. Travel restrictions continue to change around the world and return options could become limited at any time.”
CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin James said “While news of the Air Canada suspension of service will impact the recovery of our Canadian market, the safety of travellers is a key priority for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. We remain committed to working with our partners and look forward to welcoming Air Canada back, when Canadian regulations allow them to return."
Air Canada noted that it must take the necessary actions to ensure it comes back even stronger when circumstances allow. The airline also expressed appreciation to travellers for their understanding during these difficult times.
Canadian Carrier, WestJet continues service into the destination and Antigua and Barbuda remains open to welcome visitors. Travellers to our shores can stay updated on Antigua and Barbuda’s latest travel advisory at https://visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory/
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About Antigua & Barbuda:
The 365 white and pink sand beaches of Antigua & Barbuda, one for every day of the year, are just the beginning of the treasures that await visitors. Antigua’s rich history and spectacular topography provide a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British in 1755, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Betty’s Hope, built in 1674, is the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua, and offers a chance to step back into time by visiting the restored mills. Another unique attraction is Devil’s Bridge, located at the eastern tip of the island in Indian Town National Park, where Atlantic breakers have carved out a natural limestone arch. Antigua boasts a varied tourism calendar including events such as the World Class Antigua Sailing Week, Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sports Fishing and also the annual Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Island accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to smaller more intimate boutique guesthouses and cottages. For information about Antigua & Barbuda visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
For Antigua and Barbuda media enquiries, please contact:
Raynel Carroll
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464 7771
E: raynel.carroll@visitaandb.com
Antigua and Barbuda Christmas Greeting
Government of Canada's first phase to easing border measures for travellers entering Canada//Première phase de l'assouplissement des mesures frontalières par le gouvernement
On June 21, the Government of Canada announced the extension of some of Canada’s border measures as well as some changes to current measures to ease some testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers who are currently permitted to enter Canada. This message aims to clarify key points.
Beginning July 5, 2021 at 0001 EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who provide proof of their vaccination status in ArriveCAN will not be required to quarantine or to complete a Day 8 test. Additionally, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel to await their on-arrival test result. Travellers arriving before this date will be subject to the regulations in force at the time of their entry.
These changes apply to incoming and accredited diplomats and their incoming and accredited family members, as well as non-accredited family members who are permitted to enter Canada.
Definition of Fully Vaccinated
To be considered fully vaccinated, travellers must have received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine – or combination of vaccines – accepted by the Government of Canada, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers must provide proof of vaccination in the ArriveCAN app or web portal in English, French or a certified translation. Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country. At this time no other vaccines will be accepted. Travellers who have only part of a vaccine dose, or who arrive less than 14 days after their last dose, will be considered to be unvaccinated.
Conditions
Fully vaccinated accredited diplomats and their accredited family members must still comply with all other requirements, including:
- pre-entry testing;
- be asymptomatic;
- submit all required COVID-19 information in ArriveCAN prior to travel to Canada, including proof of vaccination;
- have a paper or digital copy of their proof of vaccination; and,
- have a suitable quarantine plan.
Fully vaccinated but unaccredited family members who are permitted to enter Canada will also be required to complete a test on arrival in Canada.
Note that travellers will need to show proof of vaccination every time they cross the border.
Eligibility
Please note that these changes do not open the border to everybody who is fully vaccinated. Only those travelers who are currently eligible to enter Canada and are now fully vaccinated are eligible for these new measures, if they meet the conditions listed above. This includes incoming and accredited diplomats and their accredited family members and study permit holders going to a designated learning institution. Unaccredited family members wishing to enter Canada will still require a National Interest Exemption Letter (NIEL).
Individuals who are unable to receive the vaccine, due to eligibility or other medical reasons, will be required to complete the Day 8 test (if they are over 5 years of age) and full 14-day quarantine. This includes unvaccinated children, even if travelling with fully vaccinated adults; they may be exempt from the hotel stay on arrival but will need to complete quarantine and both Day 1 and 8 testing.
Additional information is available online and will be updated regularly. As always, Border Services Officers make the final determination of whether a traveller meets all the requirements.
Provincial and territorial restrictions
Finally, in addition to requirements imposed by the federal government for entering Canada, some provinces and territories have their own entry restrictions in place for travellers coming into Canada from another country. Please ensure that you check and follow both the federal and any provincial or territorial restrictions and requirements before travelling.
Please continue to follow all instructions contained within the attached circular of June 7, 2021 and to direct all questions to COVID19-DiplomaticTravel-VoyagesDiplomatiques@international.gc.ca
The Office of Protocol of Canada
Procedures and Information for Travel to Canada of Members of the Diplomatic Corps and their Family Members.pdf
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À l’attention des :
Chefs de mission diplomatique et chargés d’affaires a.i.
Chefs de chancellerie et d’administration
Chefs d’organisations internationales et de bureaux de représentation spéciaux
--- PRIÈRE DE TRANSMETTRE CE MESSAGE À TOUS LES REPRÉSENTANTS ÉTRANGERS DÛMENT ACCRÉDITÉS, Y COMPRIS DANS LES POSTES CONSULAIRES, ET AUX EMPLOYÉS RECRUTÉS SUR PLACE ---
--- OACI : VEUILLEZ ENVOYER CE MESSAGE À TOUS LES REPRÉSENTANTS ÉTRANGERS DES ÉTATS MEMBRES ---
Le 21 juin, le gouvernement du Canada a annoncé la prolongation de certaines mesures frontalières ainsi que des modifications aux mesures actuelles afin d’alléger certaines exigences en matière de dépistage et de quarantaine pour les voyageurs entièrement vaccinés qui sont actuellement autorisés à entrer au Canada. Le présent message vise à donner des précisions sur les points clés.
À compter du 5 juillet 2021 à 00 h 01 (HAE), les voyageurs entièrement vaccinés qui fournissent une preuve de leur statut de vaccination dans ArriveCAN ne seront pas tenus de se mettre en quarantaine ou de subir un test de dépistage le huitième jour. De plus, les voyageurs entièrement vaccinés qui arrivent par avion ne seront pas tenus de séjourner dans un hôtel autorisé par le gouvernement en attendant le résultat du test qu’ils subiront à leur arrivée. Les voyageurs arrivant avant cette date seront soumis aux règles en vigueur au moment de leur arrivée.
Ces changements s’appliquent aux diplomates étrangers accrédités et aux membres de leur famille accrédités, ainsi qu’aux membres de leur famille non accrédités qui sont autorisés à entrer au Canada.
Définition – « entièrement vacciné »
Pour être considérés comme entièrement vaccinés, les voyageurs doivent avoir reçu la série complète d’un vaccin contre la COVID-19 – ou d’une combinaison de vaccins – accepté par le gouvernement du Canada, au moins 14 jours avant d’entrer au Canada. À l’heure actuelle, ces vaccins sont fabriqués par Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD et Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Les voyageurs doivent fournir une preuve vaccinale dans l’application ou le portail Web ArriveCAN en français, en anglais ou dans une traduction certifiée conforme. Les voyageurs peuvent recevoir leur vaccin dans n’importe quel pays. Pour le moment, aucun autre vaccin ne sera accepté. Les voyageurs qui n’ont reçu qu’une dose de vaccin, ou qui arrivent moins de 14 jours après leur dernière dose, seront considérés comme non vaccinés.
Conditions
Les diplomates accrédités entièrement vaccinés et les membres de leur famille accrédités doivent aussi se conformer à toutes les autres exigences, dont :
- le test de dépistage avant l’arrivée au Canada;
- être asymptomatiques;
- soumettre tous les renseignements requis concernant la COVID-19 dans ArriveCAN avant leur arrivée au Canada, y compris la preuve de vaccination;
- avoir une copie papier ou numérique de leur preuve de vaccination;
- avoir un plan de quarantaine adéquat.
Les membres de la famille entièrement vaccinés non accrédités qui sont autorisés à entrer au Canada devront également passer un test à leur arrivée au Canada.
Prenez note que les voyageurs devront présenter une preuve de vaccination chaque fois qu’ils traverseront la frontière.
Admissibilité
Veuillez noter que ces changements n’ouvrent pas la frontière à tous ceux qui sont entièrement vaccinés. Seuls les voyageurs qui sont actuellement autorisés à entrer au Canada et qui sont maintenant entièrement vaccinés peuvent bénéficier de ces nouvelles mesures, s’ils remplissent les conditions énumérées ci-dessus. Cela comprend les diplomates étrangers accrédités et les membres de leur famille accrédités, ainsi que les titulaires de permis d’études qui se rendent dans un établissement d’enseignement désigné. Les membres de la famille non accrédités qui souhaitent entrer au Canada devront toujours obtenir une lettre d’exemption d’intérêt national (LEIN).
Les personnes qui ne peuvent pas recevoir le vaccin, pour des raisons d’admissibilité ou d’autres raisons médicales, devront subir le test de dépistage du huitième jour (si elles sont âgées de plus de 5 ans) et une quarantaine complète de 14 jours. Cela inclut les enfants non vaccinés, même s’ils voyagent avec des adultes complètement vaccinés. Ils peuvent être exemptés de l’obligation de se faire vacciner, mais devront se placer en quarantaine et subir les tests de dépistage du premier et du huitième jour.
Des renseignements supplémentaires se trouvent en ligne et seront mis à jour régulièrement. Comme toujours, les agents des services frontaliers auront le dernier mot pour déterminer si un voyageur satisfait à l’ensemble des exigences.
Restrictions provinciales et territoriales
Enfin, en plus des exigences imposées par le gouvernement fédéral pour entrer au Canada, certaines provinces et certains territoires ont mis en place leurs propres restrictions concernant l’entrée pour les voyageurs qui arrivent au Canada en provenance d’un autre pays. Assurez-vous de vérifier les restrictions et les exigences fédérales et provinciales ou territoriales avant de voyager et de les respecter.
Continuez de suivre l’ensemble des directives figurant dans la circulaire du 7 juin 2021 ci-jointe et posez vos questions à COVID19-DiplomaticTravel-VoyagesDiplomatiques@international.gc.ca.
Le Bureau du protocole du Canada
You Can Help – Covid-19 Charitable Fundraiser
Support three charitable causes in Antigua and Barbuda as they continue the fight. We are appealing to Antiguans and Barbudans and friends of Antigua and Barbuda to help the children and the aged. To donate email the Consulate General of Antigua and Barbuda, Toronto.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for international students
Global Affairs Canada’s International Education Division is pleased to provide the following information and guidance that may be of assistance to international students. The resources listed provide information on study permit-related issues, as well as travel restrictions and exemptions that may affect international students, and Government of Canada programs for which international students may be eligible.
Canada deeply values the international students that have chosen to study in Canada and the contribution they make to our educational institutions, our communities and our country. Although the current circumstances are challenging, we hope that you will feel supported by your Canadian host institutions and the communities in which you live, whether you may be a first-year student, a soon-to-be graduating student, an exchange student or visiting researcher.
Individuals are encouraged to read through all the information available on each government website listed and to consult these sites regularly for the latest information relevant to their situation.
Statement by
The Honourable Gaston Browne
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda
at the 75th Session of the
United Nations General Assembly
25th September 2020
Theme:
“The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism – confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action”.
Mr President
Secretary-General
Distinguished Delegates
Happy 75th anniversary
Collectively, the member states of these United Nations are failing in our responsibility to our one planet and in our duty to the peoples, of our one world.
At each of the past 74 sessions of this General Assembly, many pledges have been made, to make the international community less inequitable; many commitments have been given to lift-up the poor and the vulnerable; and many declarations have been issued to end the scourge of war.
Yet, in the 74 years that have passed since the first session of this General Assembly, on 10th January 1946, the world has experienced only brief efforts to deliver these pledges, commitments, and declarations.
Those efforts were vital.
They made a difference.
With each of them, mankind made some progress on the path to human equality, environmental safety, and global security.
But, despite them, the benefits of wider inclusive international cooperation are now being sacrificed by the powerful, on the altar of attaining their narrower exclusive national advantage.
Never before, has the world had such ample technical and financial resources to address the challenges facing all mankind, including the ravages of Climate Change, pandemics, food security, malnutrition, hunger and poverty.
The problem is, that these resources are concentrated in the Capitals of a few nations, which have retreated from contributing to meet those challenges and to overcome them for the good of all humanity.
As this Assembly is held, developing countries - particularly small states - are trapped, in a downward spiral of economic decline and environmental degradation which they did not create, and over which they have no control.
There are no trends identifiable today, no programmes, or policies that offer hope of narrowing the gap between rich and poor, let alone to bridge it.
What the world is witnessing, is a march by the richest nations away from any obligations to global good.
The drums of nationalism are drowning out the cries for global solidarity without which, the world’s peace, progress and prosperity will never be assured, nor will the principles upon which the United Nations organization was founded, ever be satisfied.
This is not the future we want. That is not the future we deserve.
If ever there was a time for the nations of the world to jointly confront threats to all of them - the time is now.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought that realization directly in the face of all our nations.
It is global in its sweep and universal in its dangers.
Not only has it visited a public health emergency on each nation; it has wreaked economic havoc in all of them.
The perils of the pandemic loom large across the globe, jumping across the divides of national borders and defying the belief that rich nations can survive, while poorer nations succumb.
The pandemic has added to the dangers of Climate Change which is, as pernicious as the COVID-19 pandemic in its reach, and insidious in its impact.
The poor and the vulnerable are already the first to suffer from the economic impact of COVID-19 and Climate Change, but the rich have not been spared.
And narrow nationalist policies that undermine international cooperation will make matters worse, not better.
Every nation of the world is a marketplace for others.
The chain of supply and sales are global.
Countries are now inextricably interlinked for tourism and business by air and sea transportation, and also, by the goods and services we each buy and supply, including in science and technology.
No nation, however wealthy, can survive if its markets dwindle and its sources of supply decline.
We are all inter-dependent, however large or small.
The unity of human needs, requires a functional multilateral system that respects the democratic principles of sovereignty, participation and consent; rejecting the bullying doctrine of exclusion, imposition and abuse of economic sanctions.
Yet, even though the countries of the Caribbean are among the greatest victims of the profligacy of others, in relation to the creation of Climate Change and its effects; and, although our economies are among the worst impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in whose creation we played no part; we are denied a voice in international decision-making and we are subjected unfairly to the will of others.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is forecasting that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Caribbean will contract by 6.9 per cent in 2020, because of the effects of COVID-19 on our economies.
This is eroding the gains made by my own country, Antigua and Barbuda where, in January of this year, we were set to achieve over 6.2 per cent growth, in addition to an average growth rate of 5 per cent in the previous six years.
As a country, highly dependent on tourism, the closure of borders, the cessation of cruise tourism and the limits on aviation, effectively devastated our economy overnight, resulting not only in serious loss of revenues, but also in sudden and significant loss of jobs.
Governments have had to expend enormous resources, spending as high as, 8% of GDP, to mitigate the impact of the public health crisis, amid this extraordinary decline in revenues and foreign exchange.
In the case of my own small country, we have been denied loans from the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) because of the skewed per capita income criterion, applied by their policy-making Boards.
The result has been that, apart from a line of credit from the Inter-American Development Bank, that is yet to be consummated, Antigua and Barbuda has received not one cent from the International Financial Institutions, to help us meet the enormous challenges that have brought much larger countries to their knees.
In our own case, the approach of the Paris Club of official debt holders has been particularly callous; absolutely insensitive during this unprecedented global pandemic.
The Paris Club has not found it possible to agree to suspension of debt payments, debt rescheduling, or debt forgiveness, to allow countries like mine an opportunity to cope with the extraordinary challenges confronting us and in which we played no part in creating.
Amidst, the circumstances of dwindled revenues and extraordinary expenses, the Paris Club is demanding repayment of decades old delinquent loans that simply cannot be repaid at this time.
What is worse, with no sympathy for the dire conditions we face, the Paris Club blocked the IMF from considering financial assistance and debt service relief, provided to many others, unless we subject ourselves to a programme that would lead to an increased debt service burden and even more austere conditions for our people than presently exists.
That, we cannot do and certainly will not entertain.
As our economy weakens, with an insufficient response by the international community for debt rescheduling and access to concessional financing, unemployment and poverty are growing.
Nonetheless, the people of my country are moving on with resilience, bravely and resolutely.
We reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, and we are doing our part in tackling COVID-19 within our boundaries and by contributing to multilateral action.
I am proud that, despite all the challenges with which we were confronted, Antigua and Barbuda has successfully managed the COVID-19 pandemic, by quickly detecting and treating infected persons and through effective contact tracing to prevent community spread.
Antigua and Barbuda has recorded only three deaths since the pandemic started.
Presently, we have just one active laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 infection, despite re-opening our borders on June 1st, to daily commercial flights from North America and Europe, in an attempt to earn some revenues from the vital tourism sector to protect lives and livelihoods.
My Government has also invested in modern medical facilities, including a well-equipped Infectious Diseases Centre, manned by trained, qualified and experienced personnel.
In addition, we have expanded and upgraded our health facilities to three beds per 1000 of population and improved our tertiary health care services.
All of this has been achieved despite inadequate assistance from the International Financial Institutions, to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our economy.
If this situation continues without an appropriate response from the international community, many countries, like mine, will be unable to pay existing debt and will not qualify for new borrowings.
Even if, these countries all end up in IMF programmes to give them short-term relief, unless there is suspension of debt payments, debt forgiveness and debt rescheduling, they will not recover their economies; they will certainly not achieve the UN sustainable development goals, and their debt stock will be enlarged by the compound interest that will result from unpaid debts.
Unfortunately, the economic development they have so far achieved will be reversed with little prospect of recovery.
This is not the world we want; proactive financial intervention by the IFI’s is needed now, not tomorrow; tomorrow’s intervention may be too late.
As Alicia Bárcena, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has pointed out:
“The leaders of the G20 should be in favour of multilateral organizations making loans at favourable interest rates and alleviating the debt of countries that are highly indebted, deferring it or forgiving it. If that does not occur, the payments will be impossible and fiscal space will be compromised. Exceptional measures are required to confront an unprecedented crisis. There will be no progress without international cooperation and solidarity”.
This is a statement we endorse in its entirety. The socio-economic sustainability of the region will be compromised without a proactive debt suspension and restructuring and ultimately debt relief.
Distinguished delegates, the future we should all want requires the establishment of a new era of multilateralism, based on the premise that the life of every human being matters.
And that, in living their lives, every human being should be given the opportunity to prosper - free from intimidation, hunger, malnutrition, disease and war.
Our nations - united - should affirm their commitment to that goal and work diligently to achieve it.
That is the United Nations we need.
Thank you.
Antigua and Barbuda National dress
Condolences for Sir Lester Bryant Bird