Visitors to pay fee for tests in Bermuda
Visitors who receive Covid-19 tests will be expected to pay a fee, the Premier said this morning on social media.
David Burt said in a tweet: “Rest assured, visitors will pay a fee for their testing.”
The comment came after Zane DeSilva, the tourism minister, said at a press conference yesterday: “The Government at the moment are absorbing those costs and will continue to do so until we change it.
“We have had those discussions. We know some other countries have charged.
“You might know that Cambodia started charging visitors $3,000 each.
“That is a bit extreme — we don’t anticipate getting to that stage just yet.”
A Government spokesman added today: “To clarify and expand upon the minister’s remarks yesterday, while the Government of Bermuda has been covering the cost of Covid-19 testing for Bermuda residents returning to Bermuda, it is our intent for a fee to be in place for tourists arriving in Bermuda, once commercial airline services resume at LF Wade International Airport.”
Mr DeSilva was speaking at an event yesterday to announce the reopening of the Rosewood resort in Tucker’s Point.
He said that the requirement for visitors to have a clear test result inside 72 hours of departure could limit the number of tourists because tests were still difficult to get in many places.
He added: “I think it’s a concern for any tourist destination at the moment.
“Our neighbours to the south have had their challenges as late as the day before yesterday with arriving guests.
“We know that’s a problem and the good thing about the announcement we made last week is that we have been inundated with feedback from visitors, would-be visitors and residents that are overseas.”
Mr DeSilva said that the restrictions would be an obstacle for visitors and the industry and the ministry would work with the Ministry of Health to lift the restrictions as soon as it was safe.
He added that Delta Air Lines service from Atlanta is expected to be the first to take off when the airport reopened on July 1, but the service may not begin that day.
Mr DeSilva said: “All the airlines are hustling, the hotels are hustling. The BTA continue to work around the clock to try to put the word out there.
“Delta are, I think, the only airline that are actually looking at flights between July 7 and 9.”
• UPDATE: This story was amended to include the comment made on Twitter this morning by David Burt, the Premier, and the statement from a Government spokesman this afternoon.