Dear Editor, I guess it's hard both ways we are supposed to be coming over for our first visit end of March (Uncertainty in tourism sector, Cook Islands News, Tuesday, February 15).

But now so much uncertainty.

We may not know if we have Covid until our $500 test (for two of us) which now is quite stressful knowing we may have to kiss it goodbye 24 hours before departure. Fingers crossed as most Kiwis will now have to do.

Nic McConechy

(Facebook)

---

A friend of mine has to pay $500 for both her and her husband to come here for their Covid test but when the cyclone hit Rarotonga few weeks back they have to reschedule their flights to another day where they had to pay for another $500 Covid test before boarding the plane. They weren’t going to come but they came as it is their first time in Rarotonga.

One thousand dollars for two Covid tests.

Oceans Tepaki

(Facebook)

---

It could have something to do with the extra expense of the Covid testing. $250 per test and say there is a family of four, this will definitely play a part in people’s decisions. And the worst part is the money doesn’t even go back into the Cook Islands economy. Surely this has to change.

Daniel Lovell

(Facebook)

---

No one in New Zealand would ever want to give Rarotonga Covid. But unfortunately, pre-tests and negative results does not promise either. South Island has only started to get it now so I understand.

But I guess you need the tourist money to help survive as New Zealand government can’t keep handing out money to Rarotonga when so many people here have lost so much due to Covid. No win-win for anyone.

Not complaining about the cost of coming, it is more the fact we can find out last minute the holiday we have all saved for can disappear 24 hours prior.

Sad really for everyone. But such is life and we are all vaccinated as are you. Not much we can do.

Nic McConechy

(Facebook)

---

Covid-19 Rapid Antigen testing

The Cook Islands government needs to get more R.A.T (rapid antigen tests), which is the test you do yourself to find out if you got it, for the locals so testing sites don’t get bulked up.

We went through this in Australia, now that there’s heaps of rapid tests available it’s not bulked up and the testing sites are only for severe symptoms cases or if you’re worried about reconfirming a positive rapid Antigen test.

God bless our Paradise.

Maurice Simeon Turia

(Facebook)