Aruba Today newspaper is a platform for our visitors to inform themselves about anything concerning their upcoming and/or present vacation. Unfortunately this is currently not only about where to have fun and enjoy great food. At the moment, we are receiving more, and more questions about the status of the COVID-19 on Aruba. We spoke to Jurette Croes, Communication Advisor of the Department of Public Health and also have the latest update from the airport for you.
“Aruba airport and the cruise port are open to all arriving flights and cruises. There is no COVID-19 checking of passengers unless flight attendants or cruise personnel informed us about passengers with symptoms. We do require airline companies and cruise companies to deliver a maritime declaration form up to 24 hours before arrival,” Croes explains. She also informs that each arriving person on the airport and cruise terminal receives a Travel Note containing important information with regards to prevention and also how to act when symptoms occur. “There is a 24/7 phone number available to call for information which is 00 297 280-0101.”
The World health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 disease pandemic. If you develop fever, cough or have difficulty breathing during your vacation, call the front desk of your resort or property or the national COVID-19 call center, states the flyer handed to all arrivals. Call ahead before going to a doctor, clinic or hospital and tell them of your travel history and what symptoms you have. The doctor will coordinate further instructions.
Some travel tips shared by the Public Health Department are to wash your hands regularly with soap, or alcohol based hand rub. Always drink water out of a bottle and eat meat and eggs that are cooked thoroughly. Avoid direct contact with wild/live animals and sick people. And make sure to have proper vaccinations and travel insurance. To stop the spread of the coronavirus, avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth and cover your coughs or sneezes. If you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor.
What Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) is doing | Note from AAA CEO Joost Meijs
The rapidly changing information about the current worldwide COVID-19 outbreak on travel restrictions locally and abroad are understandably creating concerns amongst our travelers, airport stakeholders, airport community and our airport staff. As Aruba Airport’s operator and manager, AAA continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely, in further coordination and cooperation with the local Department of Public Health (DVG), the Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism, Health and Sports. We also listen carefully to any questions and concerns any of our travelers and other airport users may have and try to react hereto as swiftly and effectively as possible. We want you to know that your health and safety are our priority. As such we would like to share the following updates which may further assist you in considering your next travel to and from Aruba whilst making use of our airport facilities or whilst managing your operation at our airport.
The cleanliness of our airport facilities is of the utmost importance to travelers and airport users and as such have always implemented all efforts in making sure that our terminal facilities are comfortable and clean. We realize that during these trying times this is even more important. Next to our daily cleaning procedures, we have increased cleaning frequencies in all public areas, and we have added additional sanitizer machines and soap dispensers in strategic areas. Our cleaning staff are also instructed to have more rigorous cleaning routines. Regular cleaning remains one of the most important preventive measures that can be taken. Basic health tips, in coordination with the DVG, are shared throughout the arrival and departure areas in order to ensure that all are duly aware and informed hereof whilst traveling through and using our facilities. AAA is also setting up a medical screening checkpoint, in coordination with the DVG on site at the airport.
We have also kept not only our airport stakeholders and community informed about preventive measures that can be taken to keep themselves and their staff safe and healthy by keeping them updated on the latest developments with the COVID-19 outbreak, but we have also made sure that our own staff is duly advised hereof. We’re encouraging not only our own sick team members to stay home but have also recommended that the employers within the airport community consider this same measure for their teams. Furthermore, we have also asked our own team not to go on a business trip to high-risk areas with a negative travel advice and to other destinations, only after discussing this with their manager and determine together what to do. The same is recommended to our airport relations. Internally we have also set up a WhatsApp chat group which keeps our team informed of the latest developments on protective measures with relation to the outbreak.
A dedicated team has been activated within AAA which has been monitoring the situation in real time and will proceed with preventive measures as deemed necessary. We will continue to activate all protocols defined by the World Health Organization, the Directorate of Civil Aviation and the Department of Public Health (DVG).
