Governor Bryan Wants Vaccination Checks For Cruise Passengers

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS —Governor Bryan has issued an appeal to the Governor of Florida: implement vaccination checks for all passengers on cruise ships departing from Florida.

Cruises will resume sailing mid-summer and Governor Bryan's administration has applauded the return of visitors, releasing a statement that "ensuring the cruise industry reopens with vaccinated passengers is essential to the tourism economies of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean."

But he expressed concern over Florida's recent legislation that prohibits COVID-19 vaccine passports and prohibits businesses from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill (Senate Bill 2006) in early May and it goes into effect July 1.

Governor Bryan Jr. made a plea to his Florida colleague, “The bill you signed into law may negatively impact the United States Virgin Islands and other port of call destinations in the Caribbean region.” He called for an exception to the legislation, one that would enable vaccination checks for outbound passengers on cruise ships. The Governor argued that such requirement would align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cruising. The CDC has called for the vaccination of 95% of passengers and crew members.

Florida is the biggest embarkation point for cruises that dock in the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean. In the Governor's words, this puts USVI ports "in the direct line of fire." He also referenced the lack of resources able to address a larger public health crisis. "The lack of infrastructure puts us at a disadvantage for any crisis – health or mother nature. This is true of not only the Virgin Islands but most of the countries in the region,” the Governor penned.

In his statement to Governor DeSantis, Governor Bryan added, "Please consider the exemption proposed above so ... Caribbean (destinations) can feel safe on arrival and disembarkation of cruise passengers and crew. This will be a big win for the people of the Caribbean and the Caribbean expatriates that live in your state. It is my hope that you can assist us in moving in the same direction while respecting regional health liberties."

Governor Bryan has also shared a communiqué with the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) inviting support from regional leaders to work with the USVI in finding an agreeable path forward to welcoming cruise ships and their passengers back to the islands in as safe a way as possible.

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