The prefectures of Guadeloupe and Martinique announced on Saturday new restrictions for travel between the two islands, the "
compelling reason
" being again required from Tuesday, following the detection of the English variant.
To read also: New travel restrictions: a "blow of the club" for the French Antilles
"
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
" , said the prefecture of Guadeloupe in a statement.
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.
With the approach of the Shrove Days, which mark the end of the carnival, canceled this year, the prefecture of Guadeloupe has also recalled the prohibitions on gatherings on public roads to more than six people.
Traditionally, these days before Lent, non-working days in Guadeloupe, are those of the biggest carnival parades.
Towards a "
proliferation of bankruptcies
"
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.
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.
Read also: Anti-Covid measures are a "disaster" for tourism in the West Indies
"
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, Sébastien Lecornu and the government recalled the establishment of "
massive support mechanisms to support businesses affected
" by "
measures to restrict travel from and to overseas
".
"
In total, 500 million euros in aid have been allocated to date to overseas tourism companies,
" they stressed.
