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In this file photo, people are relaxing on Store Bay Beach in Tobago. – David Reid

“There is good news on the horizon. We just have to hold the position. “

This was the response from Vice President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association, Carol-Ann Birchwood-James, to news that the country’s borders could reopen within the next four to six weeks.

When it comes to that, the move would begin the process of revitalizing the island’s tourism sector, which has slumped under the weight of the Covid19 pandemic over the past 15 months.

During a press conference on Saturday at the Diplomatic Center in St Ann’s, the Prime Minister said the reopening of the borders will be closely linked to the introduction of national vaccinations and the rate of infection.

Dr. Rowley said a team of ministers is expected to meet with Caribbean Airlines on Tuesday to work out the details of the deal.

Rowley said, “It is the government’s position that within the next four to six weeks we will end the border closure and exemption system as the situation is different now during vaccination and acceleration especially in North America.”

He added that this development will allow the peoples of North America and the Caribbean to mingle more easily, “and we will be better able to manage the people who come into the country”.

Birchwood-James welcomed the news that the borders might be reopened soon.

“People want to come home. People want to visit their families. You have already been vaccinated abroad, ”she said on Sunday Newsday.

Birchwood-James urged tourism actors, including workers and managers, to prepare for the reopening of the borders by taking the vaccine.

“I want to send a special message to our tourism workers and owners that we need to be vaccinated. We are now in the red zone and have to be vaccinated to get into the green zone so that we can reach cruise ships and foreign visitors again. “

Birchwood-James said Tobago needed the foreign exchange.

“Well, I think we’re getting good news even though we’re not out of the woods yet.”

She also welcomed the government’s plan to vaccinate 500,000 citizens over the next 12 weeks as part of its accelerated vaccination program.

Birchwood-James was particularly pleased with Rowley’s announcement that a batch of 800,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is expected in August.

People only need to take one dose of this vaccine.

“I think we have some good news. The 800,000 vaccines coming in August – Johnson and Johnson will sort out our situation in Trinidad and Tobago. “

Birchwood-James believes the government must now focus its energies on a “massive campaign” to get people to take the vaccines.