Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697628984139.pdf (Antigua and Barbuda)
MEETING OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY COMMITTEE - TUESDAY 19TH MAY 2020 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE IN ATTENDANCE Hon.

Gaston Browne Hon.

Asot Michael Amb.

Daven Joseph Dr. L. Errol Cort Mr. Vernon Jeffers Mr. Michael Spencer Ms. Sherrie-Ann Brazier Mr. David Massiah Mr. Ralph Potter Mr. Martin Cave Rev.
William Dorsett Mr. Victor Michael Mr. Kevin Silston Mr. Konata Lee ABSENT Ms. Joan Peters Prime Minister and Chairman Coordinatoe - Economic Recovery Committee Ambassador - Blue Economy Former Minister of Finance Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association Antigua and Barbuda Bankers Association Antigua and Barbuda Employers Federation Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce Antigua and Barbuda Ecclesiastical Commission Antigua and Barbuda Food Distributors Medical Benefits Scheme Secretary to the Cabinet Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Association The meeting was called to order at 3: 15 p.m., with prayers being offered by Rev.
William Dorsett.

CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS Chairman and Prime Minister Hon.

Gaston Browne welcomed all to the meeting and began by giving indicating that this meeting would be shorter than usual since some members of the Committee had engagements that demand their early departure.

As a result, the Agenda was amended to include only the following matters: 1.

Confirmation of Minutes 2.

Matters Arising 3.


Protocols for Reopening of the Country’s Economy The Chairman informed the Committee that the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda at its meeting held on Wednesday 13th May 2020 had taken the decision to reopen the country’s economy on 1st June, 2020.

The government’s debt to GDP ratio is presently sixty-nine per cent (69%), while the debt service ratio constitutes about forty per cent (40%) of all revenues collected.
The focus therefore is to generate as much revenue as possible to build domestic capital without borrowing.

The Chairman reiterated that while borrowing may help to alleviate short-term cash flow problems, the demands of repaying can negatively impact government’s revenues over the long-term.

Borrowing will therefore become a last resort.

In addition, it is prudent to reopen the economy because a protracted closure can negatively impact the stability of the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.
Moreover, some workers, particularly in the tourism sector, have been receiving support from their thrift fund, but this is likely to end later this month or early next month.

The government is not in a position to offer support to them and so it is necessary that the economy reopens.

Page 1 of 6 The aim is to reopen in such a manner that the risk of COVID-19 being imported is minimised, and if there is the importation of any instance of the disease the necessary protocols exist to mitigate its spread.
It is incumbent that the country’s approach is one of managing the risk while allowing the economy to function.

Social distancing protocols and good hygiene etiquette are cornerstones of any plan to reopen the economy.

It may become necessary that visitors to the country will be subject to a rapid test before boarding at the port of embarkation.

Even though such a test is not perfectly accurate, it is the best method presently available.
Apart from tourists returning, there are large numbers of Antiguans and Barbudans who are desirous of retuning since they could not do so after the country’s borders were closed.

This demographic will make up a significant portion of the initial traffic into the country.

There is therefore a need to establish protocols for their arrival, one of which will be an automatic fourteen-day quarantine period.
Since they will be living among the population, the risk of community spread increases and so the mechanisms must be put in place to minimise this.

It s important that the successes in containing COVID-19 are maintained.

The Chairman encouraged the Committee to pursue creative means by which the country’s economy can be reopened and informed members that he will share information on the proposed development of a parcel of land in the vicinity of the Crossroads Rehabilitation Centre.
It is proposed that marina and boutique hotel and residences would be the ideal type of development for that area.

It is envisaged that the development can be one in which locals play a pivotal role.

The Chairman also reported that he had the opportunity to visit areas of the country that have been traditionally dedicated to farming.

It was observed that there were quite a number of abandoned farms because of lack of water in these areas.
The government will therefore need examine ways in which it could get water to these areas in order to increase local food production.

Although the Committee has not received any reports from the subcommittees, it is the hope that these can be had by next meeting.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The Agenda was accepted as amended.

CORRECTIONS Page 1 Paragraph 3 (a) was corrected to read “that revenue declined by fifty per cent (50%).” Page 4 tourism.” Page 5 Paragraph 10 corrected to read “Mr.
David Massiah joined a Zoom meeting with the Prime Ministers of Barbados and St Lucia to look at the issue of Caribbean Comments attributed to Mr. Kevin Silston to be corrected.

The Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday 12th May 2020 were confirmed as corrected.
MATTERS ARISING The Digital Assets Business Act (2020) Page 2 of 6 With regard to Fintect and other digital currency technologies, the Chairman announced that at a Parliamentary sitting of the House of Representatives, the Digital Assets Business Act was passed on Thursday 14th May 2020 which establishes the legal framework to attract cryptocurrencies and other forms of Fintect to Antigua and Barbuda.
Having passed the Bill into law, the next step would be to ensure that supporting regulations are also passed into law.

The law firm of Committee member, Dr. L. Errol Cort and his team have started the work on the Regulations.

Construction and Manufacturing There was strong emphasis placed on this issue, but because of the amended Agenda it will not be discussed this week.
However, there are a number of factory shells at Coolidge that are managed by the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority that could be used to boost this sector.

It might be useful to look at new business opportunities in this space.

The Chairman informed the Committee that most of the factory shells were sold prior to 2014 and so they are not available for the purpose highlighted.
Waiver of Interest by Banks Thus far, the Antigua and Barbuda Banking Association has received letters from customers on the above.

The Association has not had the opportunity to meet, but is hoping to do so shortly.

The issue also came up at a regional programme.


PROTOCOLS FOR REOPENING THE ECONOMY The Chairman asked Mr. David Massiah, representative of the Antigua and Barbuda Worker’s Union (ABWU) to share with the Committee his thoughts on this matter, particularly since his organisation represents the majority of workers in the hospitality sector and he has also participated in CARICOM meetings that address the same issue.
TheABWU has received information from the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) regarding the intended protocols and safety guidelines.

The Union is in the process of analysing the document with the intention of making recommendations on ways in which it could be improved.

The Union is also perusing the proposal from the CARICOM subcommittee.

It is the intention to respond to the latter document by the deadline of Thursday 21st May 2020.
The Union is excited by the fact that this country will be the first in the Caribbean to reopen and sees it as an opportunity for our leadership to be demonstrated.

Mr. Massiah reported that both documents placed a strong emphasis on the health and safety of both guests and employees in the hospitality sector.

As reported by the Chairman at last Committee meeting, COVID-19 has already made it necessary that vulnerable employees cannot be placed in the forefront of employment.
However, the document circulated by the AHTA does not appear to address this issue in a direct manner.

It will therefore be necessary for this to be given some focus at some point.

The ABWU gives its full commitment to being supportive of the process of getting the economy reopened.

It is important that the protocols established by the Ministry of Health be followed and that the hotels are in a state of readiness to implement the same.
It will be necessary for hotel owners to activate their workforce during the course of this week, and in any case by nest week, and have them onsite so that preparations can commence for the early June reopening.

These include social distancing training, training of hygiene, the establishment of a sick bay for staff and a separate one for guests, and the arrangements for dining.

The Union is still concerned about buffet style dining arrangements and how that will impact on staff.
It was revealed, Page 3 of 6 though, that initially there will be no buffet style dining.

The Union pledged to do its part to ensure that employees adhere to the established health and safety protocols.

Mr. Massiah reported that the protocols established both in Antigua and the wider Caribbean are in line with those established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
In addition, the Committee member and representative of the AHTA, Mr. Vernon Jeffers, was commended for his leadership and transparency in sharing information with the ABWU.

Mr. Massiah agreed that the government’s approach not to require that guests be quarantined is the correct one.

The attempt to quarantine guests would likely be a deterrent for them to visit the country.

In addition, even if the COVID rapid test is not perfect, the ABWU sees no benefit in not allowing tourists to come to the country.
The ABWU will therefore shortly give its approval for the protocols established for the reopening the tourism sector.

It was recommended that the Ministry of Health play an integral role in the establishment of the protocols that are to be used in the hotels.

Mr. Vernon Jeffers, representative of the AHTA, indicated that the Tourism Task-force that has been established consists of representatives of a broad cross section of the industry.
In addition, Dr James Knight has been assigned to the Ministry of Tourism and serves as the advisor on health matters.

Moreover, Dr. Linroy Christian, head of the government’s testing laboratory, also serves as a member of the task-force.

In considering the reopening of the country’s economy, there are a number of factors that must be taken into consideration: 1.

What are the protocols established by airlines?

2.
2.

Having the ability to do rapid testing locally can help to instil confidence in the destination.

Some international countries, for example, have indicated that they will not require visitors to be subject to quarantine.

So there is precedent for Antigua and Barbuda’s position.

3.

The need for an emergency plan so that in the event something happens, rapid action can be taken.

4.
4.

For returning national, the mandatory quarantine could be self-quarantine instead of at a government controlled facility.

If this is the case, a protocol would have to be established by the Ministry of Health to offer support to these individuals.

Is there a need for sunset legislation that establish the minimum standards that will govern hotel operators?

5.
5.

The Chairman gave the undertaking that once the protocols have been established they will be incorporated into the regulations under the various laws such as the Quarantine Act to give legal effect.

In addition, to may become necessary for employees to sign an agreement that indemnifies the employee such that unless there is proof of negligence on the part of the employer, if an employee should contract COVID-19 at work then the employer would not be held liable.
With regard to the issue of self-quarantining, the Chairman indicated that it might be best to have it done on a discretionary basis since each case would pose its own unique set of circumstances.

The Chairman revisited the issue of employees within the sector who may not have serious commitments to remain on property, especially of there is moderate occupancy.

The hope is that it would reduce the risk of community spread in the event that an employee contract COVID-19 while at work.
One of the concerns of hotel managers with this suggestion is that it can sometimes pose a challenge to manage both guests and employees at the same time.

Both the ABWU and the AHTA came in for high commendations for their mature handling of the reopening of the hotel sector.

One concern that was shared is the fact that there are persons who may be COVID-19 positive but are asymptomatic.
Therefore, the suggestion that work teams are created by the hotels and for those teams to remain onsite can help in containing possible community spread.

Page 4 of 6 The Committee considered the question of whether residents would be permitted to visit hotels during this period.

While it is a good opportunity for the hotels to tap into a new revenue source, it was felt that in order to reduce the risk of community spread, it might be best for hotels not to accept local bookings.
In addition, the rates that are changed by the hotels after 15th April each year represent the fact that demand is low.

Committee member Mr. Victor Michael, representative of the Antigua and Barbuda Food Distributors, indicated that research seems to be supporting the thought that countries with hot climates and less dense populations are likely to fare better in the coming weeks.
There was a documentary produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that praised the Caribbean’s response to COVID-19, which is among the best in the world, and it would be an area which could be used for marketing the region as a safe place.

While the Committee agreed that the Agenda will be restricted to discussions on the reopening of the economy, the Chairman gave the assurance that next meeting will look at the development of the manufacturing sector.
There are many niche businesses that could be pitched to residents that can help to boost light manufacturing and create additional jobs.

The challenge of encouraging entrepreneurship is one that was considered by the Committee.

It was felt that there needs to be programmes in place to assist persons who might be desirous of starting businesses.

In addition, it might be necessary to attempt to change the culture of risk aversion that seems to permeate within the community.
The Chairman shared with the Committee plans for the development of a property close to the Crossroads Rehabilitation Centre.

The property, presently being leased, is one that sports a lovely waterfront.

It is the intention of the government to repossess this property since the lessee has failed to perform according to the terms of the lease.

It is the hope to get local investors interested in pursuing an enclave type development, inclusive of a marina and homes.
Additionally, a beach and a boutique hotel will be developed in the area.

The proposed project received the support of both Hon.

Asot Michael, Coordinator of the ERC, and Mr. Victor Michael.

In addition, it was posited that one of the ways to ensure the success of the project is to get a hotel operator who can engender confidence in a project of this nature.

It was also suggested that a complete survey of the area be conducted to ensure that there are no encumbrances with lands in the areas.
As the country looks to reopen, it is worthwhile to market to the region.

This can have a dual effect of bringing money into the domestic economy and helping to boost the revenues of LIAT.

It is essential that there is a very robust communication plan so that the ideas emanating from the Committee can be effectively shared.

The Antigua and Barbuda Bankers Association expressed concern that it has not yet received an invitation to be a part of any subcommittees.
These sentiments were also echoed by the Antigua and Barbuda Employers Federation and the Antigua and Barbuda Insurance Association.

The Chairman promised to raised the issue with the subcommittees soonest.

CLOSING REMARKS The Chairman thanked all Members for their inputs and expressed satisfaction that the Committee is making progress in its work.

He also expressed regret that the subcommittees have not been as Page 5 of 6 efficient as the ERC and gave the undertaking to push them some more.
There has been some progress by the Tourism subcommittee, and even though there has not been a formal report from that subcommittee, the evidence of their work can be seen in the sectoral reports in this meeting.

It is the hope that by the next Committee meeting there will be a formal report from that subcommittee.

In addition, there will be a concerted effort to ensure that both the manufacturing and agriculture subcommittees redouble their effort since immediate gains can be realised in these sectors.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m. sine die.

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