MEMBERS Of The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) are taking every precaution to protect visitors against the chikungunya virus.
Executive vice president, Sue Springer, explained that the association has been working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) over the past few months to apprise members on the virus and the precautions to be taken.
“Our members have taken part in a sensitisation workshop and vector control training with the Ministry, both of which were extremely informative as they gave in-depth details on the virus and the steps that can be taken to prevent the spread.
“Additionally, the association has been disseminating this information to all members to ensure that those who were unable to participate in the workshop and training were still up-to-date. We have also been distributing advisories from the MOH and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) about the virus,” Springer explained.
She added that members were putting this information to use by passing it onto their guests and staff, fogging their properties and providing repellent for guests as well as placing Vape Mats and other mosquito repellent devices in rooms.
“We are doing all we can as an association to work with the authorities to ensure that our guests and our staff as well, protect themselves from being bitten by the mosquitoes which transmit this disease.
“As stated in an update from the CTO this week, the Caribbean has a combined population of around 40 million people and we welcome 25 million by air and another 20 million cruise visitors. Only a very small fraction has been affected and they all have recovered, or are recovering,” Springer noted.
She added that the chikungunya virus was a global issue similar to that of H1N1, SARS, Foot and Mouth disease and the like, which countries are faced with from year to year.
“Like we have in the past, we will continue in these circumstances to work with the authorities, keep our membership well informed and do all we can to assist in the fight against this virus.” (PR)
