As the Shreas Days, which mark the end of the carnival (canceled this year) approach, the prefectures of Guadeloupe and Martinique announced on Saturday new restrictions for travel between the two islands.
From Tuesday, the "compelling reason" will be required again.
A decision that was taken after the detection of the English variant.
"From Tuesday February 16, the movement of people" between the two islands will be subject to the need for "an overriding reason of a personal or family nature, emergency health, or professional that cannot be postponed" , indicated the prefectures of Martinique and Guadeloupe in a press release.
The "non-compliance" with this measure "is punishable by a fixed fine of 135 euros, increased in the event of a repeat offense", she recalled.
# Covid19 ⚠️✈️ In order to limit the spread of variants of # covid19, the prefects of #Martinique and #Guadeloupe have decided to ban, from 16/02 the movement of people between the two islands which is not based on a compelling motive.
➡️ https://t.co/LXvhCwkpGS
- Prefect of Martinique (@ Prefet972) February 13, 2021
Earlier in the week, the world of tourism mobilized against the reinstatement at the beginning of the month by the government of “compelling reasons” for traveling between Guadeloupe and France, in order to avoid the influx of travelers during February vacation.
Since mid-January, negative PCR tests of less than 72 hours and a compulsory septain on arrival in these two territories are essential for metropolitan residents.
"500 million euros in aid", retorts Sébastien Lecornu
In a letter sent to Overseas Minister Sébastien Lecornu, he warned of the risk of "increasing bankruptcies" and recalled that tourism, reopened during the holidays, did not increase the indicators of circulation of the virus.
"It is time to accept to live with this risk which must of course be controlled and limited", wrote the signatories, gathered together.
In a press release, the minister and the government recalled the establishment of "massive support systems to support businesses affected" by "travel restriction measures from and to overseas".
"In total, 500 million euros in aid have been allocated to date to overseas tourism companies," they stressed.