Barbados may delay the arrival of visitors from the United States where COVID-19 cases continue to rise alarmingly, local reports say.

Barbados Today quoted on Tuesday  Minister of Tourism and International Transport Kerrie Symmonds as indicating on Sunday that instead of late July, commercial flights from the U.S could be postponed until “early” September.

In instances like the United States of American market when that reopens, I must say we are watching that one closely and we do not believe that we will resume commercial flights from the United States until perhaps the first week in September,” Symmonds disclosed.

“But right now the protocol is that If you come from that destination, you will be submitted to a test after seven days so as to be doubly sure that we exercise every precaution of catching anything that might arise,” the Minister explained.

Symmonds said despite removing mandatory testing and quarantine for visitors from low-risk jurisdictions, authorities are continuing to closely watch COVID-19 hotbeds like the US.

The Minister made the comments after the arrival of Air Canada Flight AC966 in Barbados.