This Is How Dumb Some American Tourists Are About Their “Rights”

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I don’t think I could make this one up if I tried.

The Caribbean twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda reopened for tourism on June 1st and received its first international flight on June 4th.

Like every country that’s reopening in a COVID world, Antigua and Barbuda have health and safety protocols set up to deter the advancement of the virus. They’re all listed on the country’s website. The rules have included the potential for testing for COVID-19 upon arrival:

Testing is at the discretion of the Quarantine Authority for all arrivals. The test is given at the port of arrival and takes 15 minutes. The results take approximately 48 hours to process, and travellers will be alerted of their results by health officials. Whilst travellers await results they do need to limit their movements, as instructed by the Quarantine Authority [ETA by Sharon: That’s dangerous and an outbreak in the making. But nobody asked me…]. If the test is negative, travellers may then enjoy and explore Antigua & Barbuda. If the test is positive travellers will need to go into isolation.

Apparently, some tourists didn’t read the instructions before arrival.

According to AntiguaNewsroom.com, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that several tourists have been threatening legal action over the current mandatory coronavirus testing protocols upon arrival to the islands.

Several tourists who arrived at the islands said it was a violation of their rights to be forced to take a coronavirus test and stay on the island until the quarantine period is complete, and are threatening legal action.

“Some guests are saying you don’t have the right to put anything in my nose,” said Browne.

Browne also mentioned that tourists who tested positive last week didn’t follow Antigua and Barbuda mandatory quarantine orders and booked flights back to the United States the day after receiving the diagnosis.

#headdesk

It’s not clear if the two groups were the same set of people. But let’s look at both sets of circumstances.

• Group #1 said it was a violation of their rights to be forced to take a coronavirus test and stay on the island until the quarantine period is complete.

I hate to break it to you, Group #1, but your rights as Americans DON’T MEAN DIDDLYSQUAT if you’re in another country!

• Group #2 flew back to the United States the day after the were diagnosed as positive, instead of quarantining for 2 weeks.

They flew back to the U.S. WHEN THEY KNEW THEY WERE POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS. Anyone wanna take bets on whether or not they wore masks?

Frankly, I’m not sure which group would be more deserving of a Darwin Award. What do you think?

Meanwhile, the prime minister says that the government will shortly announce a change of protocol that will allow visitors to be tested before arriving in Antigua. Which is probably a really good idea – will save them the headaches. It will also potentially stop them from having positive people walking around for 48 hours.

#stayhealthy #staysafe #washyourhands

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary