Chester Cooper, Bahamas' deputy prime minister and the minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said in an emailed statement that the country is optimistic that a "robust holiday season" is possible. "The changes in the health situation and the ever-shifting travel arena could create much turmoil." Related video: CDC warns 'the war has changed' as delta variant spreads "The road to recovery in the region is not smooth," Neil Walters, acting secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, said in an emailed statement. Just a few are at the two lowest levels, including the Dominican Republic and Cayman Islands. In all, more than 20 destinations are listed as Level 4.Īnother handful - including Anguilla, Bonaire, Turks and Caicos, and Trinidad and Tobago - are Level 3, which means covid-19 is high and only vaccinated people should visit. Virgin Islands and, as of Monday, Barbados. Those countries and territories include such popular spots as Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Aruba, the U.S. The majority of destinations in the Caribbean - as well as Bermuda and the Bahamas - are characterized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as "Level 4" because of very high rates of covid-19, which means the public health agency recommends avoiding travel. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Late last month, the Pan American Health Organization warned that health systems in some Eastern Caribbean islands were becoming overwhelmed with the increase of cases and shortages of workers and supplies. But 19 months into the pandemic, much of the region is struggling with the delta variant surge and insufficient access to the coronavirus vaccine. As winter approaches and travelers start dreaming of warm weather, the Caribbean beckons.