WORKING FROM HOME CAN SOON BECOME WORKING IN 'THIS COUNTRY' FOR UP TO A YEAR; PM WELCOMES VISITORS 

With the COVID-19 crisis and work from home option, the Barbados Government Information Service stated that those who have been working remotely during the pandemic may soon be able to move the home office to Barbados. 

The Caribbean country-Barbados is considering to implement a 12-month 'Welcome Stamp' for visitors, to let them stay and work remotely on the island. This move went viral after the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley noted that short-term travel had become more difficult since it required testing.

“You don’t need to work in Europe, or the US or Latin America if you can come here and work for a couple months at a time; go back and come back,” said Mottley last week. She further stated that people who are visiting from overseas would have the option to work digitally. 

According to CNN reports, Barbados will allow visitors onto the island from July 12. Part of this also includes making sure what the country offers is world-class, as per Mottley.

As tourism is essential to this Caribbean country-Barbados; it directly accounts for 12 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), and 40 percent of the country's economic activity, which the data from Barbados's Hotel and Tourism Association states. 

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, Barbados has relaxed certain restrictions and lifted curfews which includes introducing physical distancing of three feet. The country has also allowed for social events with up to 500 spectators at any sporting events.

Meanwhile, a press release from Barbados Tourism Marketing, Inc. stated that "on arrival in Barbados, travelers will be required to present evidence of a negative result of a PCR Covid-19 test and bar code to clear immigration." 

Looking into the John Hopkins University data, Barbados so far has registered 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths due to the virus.