The advisory which could possibly have an impact on the British Virgin Islands, was issued on Thursday, March 12 and stated that LIAT has activated a Special Project Team to monitor the spread of the virus in the region in real time.

LIAT said the measure is to meet or exceed guidelines from regional health and government authorities to safeguard their customers and employees from being exposed to the virus.

Among the actions which have been implemented by LIAT are travel restrictions based on advisories from governments across the region, ensuring that all aircraft are cleaned in compliance with global cleaning standards at both overnight and transit stops, and promoting handwashing and healthy hygiene practices among employees and passengers.

Special waiver policy

LIAT further said that they have also worked to ensure that alcohol-based sanitising wipes are available for passenger use, and are waiving change or cancellation fees on bookings for affected customers and will work with passengers to adjust their travel plans.

“With the rapidly evolving situation with COVID-19, LIAT has recognized that your travel plans may be affected. LIAT is therefore allowing passengers whose travel may be affected to make changes and cancellations. LIAT will waive the change and cancellation fees for passengers travelling between March 12th and June 30th, 2020,” the regional airline stated.

According to LIAT the waiver only applies to passengers who have booked tickets on or before March 31, 2020.

Confirmed cases in the English-Speaking Caribbean

Up until news time, the confirmed cases in the English-speaking Caribbean had risen to five. The countries impacted include Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, and Jamaica.