Ferry services return to Dominica; government approves necessary protocols  

A L’Express Des Isles vessel

The Government of Dominica has announced the resumption of ferry services to Dominica, effective November 15, 2021.

“Dominica has shared a long history of transportation linkages with the French Antilles which facilitated trade, tourism and social connections. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic and closure of the French borders, ferry services had been halted since March 2020,” Shekira Lockhart,  Parliamentary Secretary in the ministry responsible for international transport, said in a statement today. “Nevertheless, we have been working closely with agents and the Ministry of Health to establish protocols for the restart of ferry service.”

According to Lockhart, the tourism industry stands to benefit from this move as the French West Indies in particular, make up a significant percentage of stay over visitors.

“Therefore, we look forward to welcoming many more visitors back to Dominica,” she stated.

The approved protocols are the same as travelling to Dominica by air.

“In summary, travellers will require a Negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival, a Health notification of approval to travel to Dominica, upon completion of the health screening questionnaire, and vaccination certificate (if applicable),” Lockhart explained.

Upon arrival, vaccinated travellers will undergo an Antigen test and if negative, will be medically cleared. Non vaccinated travellers will also undergo an Antigen test, followed by five to seven days of mandatory quarantine.

The Ferry services will resume on a phased basis. In this first phase, only 50 persons will be allowed to disembark in Dominica per trip.

“We all have a critical role to play in ensuring that we can return to a state of normalcy by adhering to health protocols and helping our country to reach herd immunity,” the parliamentary secretary, who also has responsibility for maritime initiatives, stated  .

She thanked the ferry agents for their patience, during “this challenging period” and called for all parties to continue to work together in order to avoid any interruptions in service.

Meanwhile, inter-island ferry, L’Express des Iles, has announced that its service to Dominica and three other neighbouring Caribbean islands will resume from November 27, 2021.

In making the announcement, Michelle Joseph, Marketing Manager at HHV Whitchurch and Company Ltd (general agents for L’Express des Iles) expressed similar sentiments as Parl Sec Lockhart regarding the anticipated impact that visitors coming via ferry to Dominica will have on the country’s economy.

Joseph said that with the resumption of service, Dominicans will once again have ferry access to Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia.

“While capacity is reduced, we must ensure that all travellers adhere to protocol measures in place and to assist each other in curbing the spread of the virus while enjoying the service,” she stated. “HHV Whitchurch and company limited and L’Express des Iles would like to express sincere gratitude for the patience of our valued customers this past year, as this pandemic has not been an easy one to work around especially with the movement of persons. We also would like to thank the Ministry of Health and tourism and all those who have made this return possible.”

Ticket sales begin on Tuesday 16th November 2021 at Whitchurch main office, and Network Trading inc in Pottersville.

Joseph says the updated schedule will be made available to the public as soon as arrangements are finalized, however, customers can call the Whitchurch office at 1-767 255 1125 for more information.

Dominica News Online (DNO) has reached out to Val Ferry and we hope to publish as soon as possible, a statement from the company on that development.

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15 Comments

  1. Clifford Browne
    November 17, 2021

    Mr. Joseph, will you consider (expanding your services) adding a route once a month to Grenada. I know this can be a profitable business if it is executed properly, I would love to see your ferry services in Grenada.

  2. Vrai den
    November 16, 2021

    That is suicide/ homicide on the nation. We still having new cases, people still very sick and dying from COVID, and we going to open up for ferry from these hotspots. As Dr. Carissa Ettienne just asked on Sunday, Do we have the resources to manage and take care of the volume of sick we can see as a result of such decisions like this. We cannot even take care of the suffering people who are afflicted with COVID up to this point. Mark my word, this will have some serious consequences. Do we really care about the health and welfare of our people?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  3. Waiting For Airport
    November 16, 2021

    Same SH** different day… election coming all of a sudden travel free up so uncle can import his voters. Lets see if as the election pass he come up with a reason to suspend it again.

    But Handbag will show all you something eh. Community is something money cannot buy!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  4. To Vax or not to Vax....
    November 16, 2021

    Vaccinated persons carry the virus as efficiently as non-vaccinated person.

    Vaccinated persons can spread the virus as efficiently as non-vaccinated person.

    Vaccinated persons can die from the virus just as non-vaccinated person can.

    What does medically cleared mean?

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 7 Thumb down 9
  5. Ibo France
    November 16, 2021

    The inaction and nonchalant attitude of Dominicans in the face of gross excesses and the multiplicity of corrupt practices by Skerrit and his minions is mindbogglingly astonishing. Here are just a few:
    *Fertilizer scandal
    *Garbage bin scandal
    *Missing billions of CBI funds
    *Mercenaries at Mr. Lnton’s home
    *Sixty-four thousand each month for ‘rent’
    *$450 000 for a man who is yet to deliver a fair electoral system

    I could continue for days non-stop. How on earth this unscrupulous idiot still occupies the office of the prime minister despite the many egregious infractions? Only in Dominica!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  6. Pipo
    November 16, 2021

    This is irresponsible. We have a chance to control the spread of this terrible infection and yet we welcome non-vaccinated ferry passengers from highly infected territories like Guadeloupe and Martinique. This is baffling after all the exhortations by private industry and, indeed the Prime Minister himself, for vaccinations to become mandatory in our country. What has changed? Certainly Covid has not. We should take every opportunity to control this as much as we can.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  7. Ibo France
    November 16, 2021

    Is this just a coincidence or deliberately and precisely timed to bring overseas voters for the buy selection in Grand Bay?

    The latter part of that question cannot be summarily dismissed because every thing the FACIST does is meticulously planned for political advantageousness..

    Another election using the same corrupt electoral system. Mr. Skerrit is the albatross around the necks of Dominica. One despotic individual who is not so bright driving the country over a precipice to certain disaster of catastrophic proportion.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
  8. Lin clown
    November 16, 2021

    I listened to Edincort St.Valle advising Granbarians to use the ferry service from the French islands to vote against.Vince.The same St.Valle took the Government to court and Lost,he was campaign manager for Monell Williams in the 2014 and 2019 general election and lost.In 1997 the UWP closed down the Layou 5 Star Hotel,the same St.Valle walked from the site of the hotel to Roseau with Linton.They blamed the closing of the hotel on the DLP.St.Valle is a total failure.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 0 Thumb down 13
    • Mike
      November 18, 2021

      Is that the same St Valle who sold Ross to the Bajans, who milking Dominicans for $64,000 a month to rent his own house, who cannot account for billions of Dominica money, who have Dominica as the worst performing economic in the western hemisphere? if it’s the same guy tell us what to do with him.

  9. Albert
    November 16, 2021

    Great news.
    Having recently travelled, I feel that for vaccinated people the PCR test prior to travelling is unnecessary and should only be for unvaccinated people. This would bring us in line with other countries such as the US. No problem with the antigen test on arrival, it’s a good idea. But I really do think that for vaccinated travellers the PCR test could be dropped.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
  10. Me
    November 16, 2021

    In time for the by-election in Grandbay.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 2
  11. %
    November 15, 2021

    No surprise.. Just in time for the Grandbay by-election…
    Money$$$$$ sharing like tower
    Doors ran out of supply
    Windows ran out of supply
    More doors and windows promised this week
    Rentals decorated with red cloth
    Promises upon promises
    Bribing and buying of the unemployed youths
    5 teachers dressed in red, with exercise book in their hands taking DLP candidates around.
    Candidate who dropped out because of fake illness taking DLP people around
    A slim dark skinned guy sharing money
    NOW VAL FERRY???
    And the abuse of incumbency continues

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  12. November 15, 2021

    Hand bag have power papa..

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 2

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