After our boat work was mostly completed at the boatyard we launched on March 20th as the Covid 19 pandemic was sweeping the world and there was talk about the businesses shutting down (including the boatyard).
March 25, 2020 started a limited state of emergency on Grenada. Under this announcement people were only allowed to leave their homes from 0500 to 1900 to conduct certain designated activities. Then on March 30th we went under a 24 hour curfew with food shopping one day a week (see transportation issues below). Grenada closed its borders (ports and airports) and only citizens that were repatriating were allowed to arrive/leave with government permission. Stores, gas stations, banks, and transportation services, were all closed. Basically all services were reserved for “essential workers” only. Also during this time we could hear the incessant hum of drones. These drones were up 24/7 watching areas to ensure the curfew was adhered to. We sat in our cockpit watching as a bar/gambling tent across the bay at Clarke’s Court was raided and 13 were taken out in handcuffs.
Those of us who are not locals were reliant on the goodness of others since we had no vehicles and there was no taxi or bus service permitted (only the driver and one passenger in the rear seat was enforced for private vehicles). Our regular taxi driver (no names to protect privacy) who was no longer permitted to transport a paying fare came to our rescue on more than one occasion to assist in getting groceries. When he picked me up to grocery shop he said ” if we get stopped you’re my friend and need my help.” “Ok”, I said “but just tell them I’m your mama that should shut them up.” We didn’t get stopped, thank goodness because I’d probably have peed myself. Eventually local farmers and grocery store delivery started their services to the marinas allowing us to get fresh produce and everyday necessities without a huge issue. Was I scared during these times, yes. Were we actually safe, absolutely. In my opinion we were much better off than most of the world.
A relaxation of the curfew and “semi-regular” business operations started again on May 11th. There were specified shopping days with limited hours. Public bus transportation and taxi services still not operating. On May 15th we moved to our summer home at Port Louis Marina after receiving permission from the Grenada Coast Guard. Now we are centrally located to a grocery store, have more options for delivery services and the marina has closed circuit cameras with 24/7 security.
On June 18th the ministry of health declared there were no active cases remaining in Grenada. Since then things have been returning to normal operating hours, although there is no tourism and contact tracing requirements exist at all restaurants and public places. All restaurants are required to record your name, phone number, address and temperature, after sanitizing your hands and ensuring you are wearing a mask each time you enter.
During this time there have been yachts (over 900) requesting permission to enter the country to ride out the hurricane season, as Grenada is considered a “safe” area. The first group of yachts were permitted entry May 21st and were required to sit at anchor in a designated area, self quarantined for 14 days. Quarantined meaning no shore leave, no visiting other boats, no bar hopping, socializing or otherwise interacting with those not on their boats. However some naughty yachties decided they were exempt from the rules and broke out. These same naughty yachties also got busted and were escorted back to their boats by officials in watch boats that were stationed unobtrusively around the anchorage area. Some rules are NOT meant to be broken.
We have watched boat buddies on Calypso and Island Spirit return to the states, while others like XYZZY and Kindred Spirit high tail it to Grenada for the duration. Everyone is safe and healthy at this writing, and pray it remains so.
The government of Grenada has taken charge of the Covid 19 situation and kept it’s citizens and visitors safe. While the first months (over 100 days) were uncomfortable for us with curfews and restrictions we are a healthy island and in all, to date, we have had a total of 24 Covid 19 cases, all recovered, no deaths.
Happier days are coming…
Harmony At Sea 
Oh wow. Had no idea what you were going through. Hindsight, it should have been done in the states. They waited too long to take this seriously and now thousands have died. Love you so much.
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