Barred from St Barts! Caribbean island popular with celebrities will shut down to comply with French covid-19 guidelines
- France announced it will shut its borders to all non-EU countries and impose travel restrictions on its overseas territories, including St Barts
- Local government in St Barts is frantically trying to get their island exempt from travel ban and find an ‘alternative solution’
- The luxury island has been visited by the likes of Amy Schumer, Chrissy Teigan and Sofia Richie visit in recent months
It has been the destination where celebrities have flocked to during the Covid-19 pandemic, but now St Barts is shutting is borders under the instruction of the French government.
France announced it will shut its borders to all non-EU countries for all but essential travel and impose travel restrictions on its overseas territories – including St Barts – amid fears over new variants of coronavirus.
The local government in St Barts is frantically trying to get their island – which has seen the likes of Amy Schumer, Chrissy Teigen and Sofia Richie visit in recent months – exempt from the restrictions and find an ‘alternative solution’.
Local officials are frustrated that the French government has gone against their wishes to impose the border controls, which came into effect on Sunday.
It has been the destination where celebrities have flocked to during the Covid-19 pandemic, but now St Barts is shutting is borders under the instruction of the French government
he local government in St Barts is frantically trying to get their island – which has seen the likes of Amy Schumer (pictured in December), Chrissy Teigen and Sofia Richie visit in recent months – exempt from the restrictions and find an ‘alternative solution’
Local officials are frustrated that the French government has gone against their wishes to impose the border controls, which came into effect on Sunday, as it will affect their tourism business which has seen celebrities such as Chrissy Teigan (right) and Sofia Richie (left) visit
‘Independently of the will of our local authorities to keep St Barts open, the French Government has just decided to put in place new preventive measures against Covid-19 variants,’ said Nils Dafau, President of the Tourism Board, in a statement.
‘St Barts authorities are right now negotiating with the French government to ease the entry restrictions and find an alternative solution. Our aim is to reopen the island’s borders as soon as possible.’
The Caribbean island has recorded just 360 coronavirus cases and one death since the pandemic began. ‘We have managed to keep it at bay, the situation is well managed and under control,’ said Mr Dafau.
St Barts had initially been one of the rare tourist destinations which benefited from a host of celebrities flocking to the island for a New Year getaway.
St Barts had initially been one of the rare tourist destinations which benefited from a host of celebrities flocking to the island for a New Year getaway. Pictured: Chrissy Teigan with her husband John Legend and two children
Celebrities such as Vogue and Spencer Matthews have been visiting in recent months, eager to enjoy the island’s restaurants, five-star hotels and spas with minimal Covid-19 restrictions.
Celebrities such as Wendi Deng, Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, and Vogue and Spencer Matthews have been visiting in recent months, eager to enjoy the island’s restaurants, five-star hotels and spas with minimal Covid-19 restrictions.
In St Barts, eateries have limited tables to parties of six and are encouraging social distancing and masks when not seated at a table, but partygoers are free to enjoy the island’s bars and restaurants until midnight, shop in designer boutiques and enjoy dozens of beautiful beaches taking a dip in their crystal-clear water.
Those looking to travel to the area did not need to quarantine as long as they could provide proof of a negative coronavirus test result on arrival and show no symptoms, or take a test as soon as they land.
But now, their hopes of a break have been scuppered. France announced a ban on all non-essential travellers from outside the European Union on Sunday. Two days later, it also banned visitors to St Barts or any other French overseas territories including St Martin, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
France has reported among the world’s highest virus death tolls, at 75,620, and more than 60 percent of its intensive care beds are occupied by virus patients.
Earlier in January, the day-to-day increase in coronavirus cases in the country was gradually declining after hitting a record high of nearly 18,000 on January 6. But the numbers did not drop enough and started to rise again last week.
The French government is also worried about the potential impact of the more contagious British variant on the health system, which has been under serious pressure for months.