Guyana: Airlines Need Time to Accept Digital ID Cards for Barbados, Guyana Travel

President Irfaan Ali of Guyana announced that starting in July, citizens of Guyana and Barbados will be able to use their digital identification cards for travel between the two countries. This announcement was made during a joint news conference with Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

President Ali emphasized that the implementation of this system is not due to a lack of readiness but rather to give airlines sufficient time to adapt to the new travel requirements. He stated, “Today, you will see the power of the digital ID card as from July, and that is not because the system is not ready, that is because the airlines need some time to adjust to the new system.”

Prime Minister Mottley indicated that there are plans to eventually expand the digital identification card travel regime to include additional countries. She highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Minister of Innovation from Barbados and Guyana’s Minister of Government Efficiency, Zulfikar Ally, who led the initiative along with their respective teams.

Ms. Mottley noted, “Both gentlemen had to work with multiple departments across both Barbados and Guyana, as well as the regional security architecture, and in short order, less than six weeks’ time, they were able to allow us to align this possibility that enures not to the benefit of the Cabinet of Guyana or the Cabinet of Barbados, not enures to the private sector of Guyana or the private sector of Barbados, but it is now benefit to benefit each and every citizen.”

Additionally, she mentioned that individuals without a passport but possessing a digital ID card will also be able to travel between the two nations.

Source: demerarawaves.com