Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, is cautiously reopening its borders.

The first phase of the reopening, which began July 15th, allowed Dominican citizens to enter the country via Douglas Charles and Canefield Airport since July 15, 2020.

The second phase, which is tentatively scheduled to begin August 7, 2020, will open Dominica to foreign visitors “if all goes well,” says Denise Charles, the country’s Minister for Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives.

Dominica is one of the least affected countries in the world, with no COVID-19 deaths and only 18 cases to date. The government has been cautious about reopening borders. “Health and safety guidelines have been carefully deliberated and formally announced to keep the probability that new cases of COVID-19 may be recorded once the borders are reopened as low as possible,” said Minister Charles.

All travellers are required to abide by new travel protocols.  These include:

• obtaining a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) result recorded 24 to 72 hours before arriving in Dominica;
• completing an online questionnaire at least 24 hours in advance of departure to show clearance to travel;
• and upon arrival, undergoing a series of checks, including rapid test screening.

Any passenger presenting signals deemed unsafe, such as a positive test result, will be quarantined at a government facility or a certified hotel.

As the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica specializes in ecotourism. Visitors enjoy access to tropical rainforests, the world’s second-largest hot springs (Boiling Lake), waterfalls, 365 rivers, forested mountains, coral reefs and white- and black-sand beaches. It is also home to many rare plants, animals and bird species, and is protected by an extensive natural park system that includes three national parks, two forest reserves and the Syndicate Parrot Reserve.

It was recently in the news when the CBI Index, published by Financial Times’ PWM magazine, ranked it as the best country for citizenship by investment. Its Citizenship by Investment Programme, established in 1993, allows foreign investors to become citizens if they contribute $100,000 USD or more to a government fund or invest at least $200,000 in prime hotels and resorts.

Dominica has also been on The Incentivist’s radar with the news that Kempinski’s plan to open a resort and five-star luxury resort Secret Bay received Green Globe Certification.