I write with some dismay following the publication of [19 March]’s email news digest regarding the abandonment of COVID testing for cruise line passengers and the prejudice shown to air passengers.
As an air passenger (arriving from the UK), I would take a test prior to departure. This means that I would essentially isolate at home (or at least stay well away from as many people as I can) for 7-10 days prior to the test to ensure I am clear to travel. On the plane I wear an FFP3 valve mask as well. My time on the island is typically in self-catering accommodation only with my wife (pre-COVID we spent most Christmas periods in Cayman).
Compare that with a cruise passenger who is tested once, 7-10 days before boarding the vessel, then mixes with thousands on the ship every day; eats using a shared cafeteria multiple times each day; interacts with different people on different islands each day.
Tell me who has the greater number of daily interactions? Who is at greatest risk of catching and passing COVID? Not the air passenger, that’s for sure.
Look, I get it. The desire here is to increase the number of visitors to the island for the benefit of the local economy and for the general enjoyment of the holidaying public. All I ask is that you treat air passengers with the same degree of acceptance.
Anthony Miller
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