As we are all very aware, COVID-19 continues to impact all our lives, not least for those attempting to travel internationally.
The health and well-being of our participants, staff and all those involved with delivery of the rally at each stopover has been our primary concern in planning the 2020 Carib’1500 as a COVID secure event. However, during the summer it has become clear that travel to the Caribbean from North America has not opened up as we had hoped; there are restrictions on who can visit, and protocols for arrivals requiring periods in quarantine. To date, the hoped for general easing of restrictions, sufficient for World Cruising Club to deliver a COVID secure rally have not arrived.
As at August 19th, it is still not possible for the rally to arrive into the BVI and there are also concerns as to whether WCC can run a COVID secure event in the US start port, such that other Caribbean nations would accept the boats. Without 100% adherence to bio-security including testing, social distancing and isolation in the pre-departure period at the start port, it would be very risky for crew to go to sea and there are still doubts as to whether they would be able to land on arrival in the Caribbean.
Therefore, the directors of World Cruising Club have decided that it is best for all involved that the 2020 edition of the Carib’1500 is postponed; the team will now concentrate on planning for a fresh new start in November 2021. WCC appreciate that this will be a disappointment for those who have made plans to sail south this Fall, however we must all face the reality of a world that continues to change with the impact of COVID.
Planning for November 2021
Over the coming months World Cruising Club will be running more seminar sessions online, so look out for the update emails and news on the website. There are already a wide selection of seminar topics available to view as videos via the Member’s Area of worldcruising.com and more are coming. WCC want to use the time to help you, your crew and your boat, be 100% ready for offshore sailing, so do get in touch with us if you have questions.