In a speech from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, the Bajan government has announced that it will introduce a “12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp” that would allow visitors to the island nation to stay for one (1) year to work remotely. This is an effort to reinvigorate Barbados’ economy, which depends in part upon revenues from tourism. Travel restrictions borne from the COVID-19 pandemic have interrupted the usual flow of tourists to the Caribbean, leaving hotels and beaches in the region all but empty. By offering visitors the opportunity to remain on the island nation for twelve (12) months, the Bajan government hopes to entice travelers to return for an extended period.
Flights in and out of Barbados were set to resume on July 12, 2020. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend against nonessential international travel. With that in mind, Barbados has only experienced a total of ninety-eight (98) confirmed cases and seven (7) deaths according to Johns Hopkins University. The CDC highly recommends being tested for COVID-19 at least seventy-two (72) hours prior to travelling to Barbados for any period of time. At this point, it is unclear when the “12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp” will become available, but the attorneys of Peri & Stewart LLC are certainly considering taking the Bajan government up on such an offer.