Antigua and Barbuda has closed its borders to yachts after the country declared a state of emergency in response to the global coronavirus outbreak.
The latest measures to curb the spread of the virus were issued by the government on March 28 and state that all yachts are now banned from entering Antigua and Barbuda for an initial period of 14 days.
Cruising permits are now only valid for Antigua and any boats currently in Barbuda waters must return to Antigua, the advisory states. The rules apply to all inbound pleasure crafts, passenger vessels and ferries.
It comes after the country declared a state of emergency and introduced an 8pm – 6am curfew for an initial period of two weeks.
The curfew also applies to all vessels and tenders, which must be confined to a mooring position during the stipulated hours.
The government said the new measures were adopted following a “significant increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection” and are designed to “prevent the spread of the virus into and within the borders of Antigua and Barbuda.”