While we were on Caye Caulker, we also spoke with the Chair of the Village Council about how this island is coping with the pandemic.
Last year, they were chosen as the BTB's #1 Tourism Destination. As a community that also depends heavily on tourism as its main income earner, Caye Caulker is also experiencing the same financial ruin that other top destinations around the country are faced with.
The Chairlady told us that the islanders are doing their best to look after their needs in this time of crisis:
Seleny Villanueva-Pott - Chair, Caye Caulker Village Council
"Some of the fishermen have said outright, you know, this is not the first time we've seen this. Before tourism, it was strictly fishing, and we made it. They said they can resort to fishing. It's just a phase we have to re-adjust to, [like] in the old days. But, I'm sure we'll get through it."
Reporter
"What is the percentage of economic activity that's purely focused on tourism on Caye Caulker?"
Seleny Villanueva-Pott
"I'd say about 90. That is what fuels Caye Caulker's economy. So, we're really feeling this right now."
"Most of the restaurants are now closed down. A lot of the hotels have shut down. Whatever support we've needed locally, we've gotten locally, and I must thank the Caye Caulker business community for their tremendous support. We've got housing for Coast Guards from the business community. We've gotten equipment needed from the business community. One business member actually donated all 10 oxygen tanks to us. Our isolation area has been given to us free of charge. We retrofitted the building. We've got a new AC for the building. So, we are working locally, and whatever GOB comes with will be additional. But we've learned to take care of ourselves."
"I must extend deep gratitude to the small health team that we have here on the island. I think they've done a tremendous job with that. It's just for us to fine-tune it. Since the Ministry of Health is here, we're going to fine-tune it today. And we move from there, hoping for the best, hoping that we don't have to use it, but preparing for the worst."
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