On December 18th, 2021, AHATA sent out a press release, ringing a warning bell. In the attached letter to its members, it stated the following: As you know, AHATA is in ongoing dialogue with authorities over the COVID situation and the balance that our Crisis Team manages between medical concerns/safety and economic recovery.
AHATA has always stood for safety first (with effective border policies and internal measures), to ensure a steady recovery rather than an erratic trajectory.
For the past few days, the new COVID cases in Aruba have risen again and we have seen a trend of a higher number of resident cases: 36 on Tuesday, 24 on Wednesday, 23 on Thursday, and 30 on Friday. Up to 70 yesterday, from 40 the day before.
In the press release AHATA voiced its concerns for a possible return of CDC level 4 alert for Aruba, which impacts the island’s economic recovery in Q1 2022.
AHATA supports measures to safeguard January and February’s tourism industry for Aruba’s economic wellbeing and asks for caution over the holiday season. It also supports an escalation of the vaccine (and booster) program in the community.
The letter basically, lamented the short-sighted view of all New Year’s Eve party/weddings/concert organizers, who look at the future ending at the break of dawn January 1st, when the fireworks subside. AHATA expressed concern over the fate of the High Season based on last year’s lesson learned when CDC placed Aruba on the high alert list, in January, and an avalanche of cancellations followed.
AHATA explains that level 4 alert is based on the number of cases and not on the severity of the illness, thus Aruba stands the chase to become a level 4 country, in January, or sooner, since we already surpassed the cumulative of 535 cases, required to reach the dreaded level 4, and the hotels are already experiencing cancellations, in great numbers, each day.
The thinking got to focus on January & February and not on New Year’s eve, since the financial loss following cancellations, loss of flights and reservation is much bigger, long term.
AHATA suggested a number of additional measures such as restricting the number of people at house parties, currently 250 outside and 150 insides, requiring testing for public events, and the obligation to be seated at a table in all establishments.
AHATA had asked the Crisis Team to protect Aruba’s economy during the first quarter of the year, to guaranteed income and continued recuperation, think long term, instead of short term.
