A total of 26 vessels participating in the ARC+ departed Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on

Sunday, Nov. 8.

The ARC fleet of approximately 60 boats will start their Atlantic journey on Nov. 22. The event this year will take place within the realm of strict COVID-19 protocols, geared towards ensuring the health and wellbeing of all staff, participants and stakeholders at the forefront of the event.

All vessels were required to arrive in Las Palmas no less than one week before departure. There, participants underwent the necessary COVID-19 PCR testing and remained in isolation until departure. They were also required to participate in mandatory virtual briefings on Saint Lucia’s strictly enforced protocols, ahead of departure. Saint Lucia Tourism Authority’s Public Relations Manager, Geraine Georges indicated that once in Saint Lucia, all protocols must be adhered to including, daily health screenings while in quarantine.

“There will be mandatory health screening upon arrival, there will be continued wearing of the wristbands to differentiate non quarantine participants from those cleared for movement by port health. You will also have daily health screening of those in quarantine and additionally, individuals aboard the vessels arriving in Saint Lucia ahead of 14-day period. So as much as they are quarantining from when they get to Las Palmas, they’re sailing down to Saint Lucia, if they observe less than 14 days on the water, they’re still required to quarantine in Saint Lucia. So all efforts are to ensure that this is one of the safest events that we are hosting,” she said.

Given the nature of the ARC, participants often spend 14 days or more at sea and in such cases an additional quarantine period is not necessary on arrival to Saint Lucia. Georges explained that those arriving to Saint Lucia ahead of a 14-day period from the point of departure in Las Palmas, will be required to quarantine aboard their vessel, on the designated Quarantine Dock at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina or at a COVID-19 Certified Facility until the mandated quarantine period has elapsed.

Given that the quarantine period for ARC events will be observed with a minimum of 14 days, COVID-19 PCR testing upon arrival in Saint Lucia will be conducted as necessary by Port Health Authorities. All ARC participants must always wear face masks once outside the cabin of their vessel. Georges added that social distancing measures will also be enforced and as a result all vessels will be docked a minimum of 15 feet apart. Security will be available 24 hours daily to ensure all rules and protocols are followed. Participants were informed that violation of the quarantine act is an offence and punishable by fines or prison.

“When it comes to the protocols and the access at the Marina, access remains the same,” Ms. Georges continued. “Of course, you would have had to be cleared by Port Health as a crew member to be able to access the regular operations at the Marina just like the locals are able to access. So if you have not met the requirements by port health you will remain in quarantine, that means you are on a dock that is secure, that is also monitored by security, so that way you as someone who has not met the quarantine requirements are not able to access or mingle with anybody else.”

Saint Lucia has been home to Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC and ARC+) for over 30 years. The ARC and ARC+ events 2020 edition will once again culminate at its home base for the 31^st year, at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina.