Guadeloupe and Martinique (France)

Guadeloupe and Martinique are overseas departments and regions of France.

Governance and the Rule of Law

• Following spikes in the number of cases in September and October, cases of COVID-19 have declined in both Martinique and Guadeloupe.
• COVID-19 vaccination programs in both territories are well under way, but encouraging residents to get the vaccine has been a challenge. After a long-running health scandal over exposure to toxic pesticides used in banana plantations, many on the islands have a mistrust of government science.
• As of December 2021, Guadeloupe has a vaccination rate of around 33% compared to the nationwide rate of 75%. Martinique has a vaccination rate of around 42%.
• Out of the vaccinated population, the majority of those fully immunized are ages 65-74. Therefore, Guadeloupe and Martinique are looking to promote vaccination amongst younger populations on the islands.
• Residents are still mistrusting AstraZeneca and have a preference for the Pfizer vaccine, complicating vaccine rollout. 
• As of late November, in response to new COVID-19 restrictions, protests have erupted in Guadeloupe. In some cases, these have gotten violent, and eventually spread to Martinique. In response, France has sent military personnel to both islands to quell protests.
• Just like in France, the French government had instituted a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all healthcare workers. Following the protests, France has temporarily postponed this mandate.
• Moreover, because of these protests, there have been many discussions at the French government level about granting greater autonomy to the territories. Nevertheless, this contradicts previous statements where the territories called upon France to lead their vaccine distribution.
• Starting on June 9th, residents in Guadeloupe and Martinique were required to present a health pass to access certain public areas.
• Travel restrictions between Guadeloupe and Martinique are being reinforced to prevent the spread of the virus. 
• Schools from kindergarten to high school in Martinique will remain open with face masks and social distancing guidelines. University lectures will be administered online.

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Growth and Innovation

• The French government has strengthened its financial support for the tourism sector in its overseas territories, including Martinique and Guadeloupe. 
• In an effort to promote their economies, the tourism sector in both islands has begun to reopen, with US visitors allowed to enter. Vaccinated travelers must present a negative PCR test at most 72 hours prior to arriving, and unvaccinated travelers must present negative PCR tests both before and upon arriving to the islands.
• Guadeloupe has sent COVID-19 self-tests to all schools for teachers and staff to get tested twice a week to protect themselves and their students. 
• In Martinique, 8,100 digital tablets were delivered on January 27, 2021 to students in various schools to help with distanced learning and to close the digital divide. 
• COVID-19 has exacerbated existing unemployment issues that both islands were facing even prior to the pandemic. For example, many residents in Guadeloupe have been protesting throughout the latter half of 2021 against the French government’s lack of assistance in promoting jobs.
• Emergency aid for digital transformation became available in Martinique to help small businesses create an online platform and offset the challenges from COVID-19. 
• Guadeloupe and Bpifrance, a French public investment bank, has provided financial aid to Guadeloupeans through the ERDF Region Rebound Loan, which aids small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) financially with a digitally-accessible zero-interest loan of up €200,000.
• StopCovid, an app designed by the French government, helps track the spread of COVID-19. Users voluntarily download the app, which anonymously tracks via Bluetooth and notifies the user if they have been in the presence of someone also using the app who has tested positive with COVID-19 and declared it within the app.
• Guadeloupe created the “Guadeloupe olfaction canine program” to use dogs to detect COVID-19 from asymptomatic patients. 
• The banana sector has historically been the main source of GDP for Martinique and Guadeloupe. Incidents of drought have increased since March of 2020, decreasing production and damage of plantations. Despite these challenges, banana sales increased during the lockdown period, as citizens saw it as patriotic to support their local industry.
• Nevertheless, following a widespread incident of using the pesticide chlordecone at the banana plantations in 2019, hundreds of farmers have gotten sick and even developed prostate cancer. These individuals are now seeking compensation from the mainland, which the French government has begun to distribute during the pandemic.

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Social and Cultural Inclusion

• The pandemic has exacerbated the longstanding social and economic frustrations of those living in Guadeloupe and Martinique over inequality with the mainland, with many feeling as though they are overlooked by the French government.
• The ongoing strikes in Guadeloupe and Martinique against France imposing stringent COVID-19 restrictions are affecting daily activities. For example, schools in Guadeloupe have been shut down for over a week as of early December.
• Moreover, many journalists have found themselves in danger at these manifestations. There have been several reports of protestors in Martinique firing at journalists attempting to cover the events.
• The new mandated curfews only allow people to be out of the house from 10 am to 5 pm. As a result, these restrictions are hurting artists and their gig business. 
• On both islands, the pandemic is not stopping its citizens from continuing to fight the social injustices present prior to the COVID-19 crisis. In Martinique, anti-racism activists tore down a statue of Napoleon’s empress, Josephine; a week previously, in Guadeloupe, the statue of Victor Schoelcher was destroyed. Both figures symbolize the colonial and slave-holding past of the islands and of France. 
• In Martinique, the annual Carnival festival was one of the main ways children on the island could learn about their Caribbean heritage and culture. While the festival did not happen this year due to COVID-19, schools are finding more creative ways to incorporate cultural history into their academic curriculum.
• Despite the pandemic restrictions, the islands are making serious efforts to promote culture and the arts. For example, in late November, Guadeloupe hosted a “Transmission Music Arts” festival to highlight cultural exchange on the island.
• Martinique is utilizing a solidarity fund established in 2012 to support artists who are struggling during the pandemic.
• In Guadeloupe, there have been many local efforts made to support families who have economically struggled due to COVID-19. Residents of the island have prioritized community support at this time.
• Martinique has proposed policies aimed at reducing social and territorial inequalities. These policies will provide special support to vulnerable populations and promote social inclusion. 

See Select Resources for Social and Cultural Inclusion

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Select resources for Guadeloupe and Martinique:

Governance and the Rule of Law:

Al Jazeera News. (2021, November 29). France Sending More Security Forces to Guadeloupe Amid Unrest. Coronavirus pandemic News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/29/france-sending-more-security-forces-to-guadeloupe-amid-unrest.

Bellonne, M. & Yacou, Y. (2021, May 2). Le pass sanitaire, une réalité à partir du 9 juin. Guadeloupe 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/le-pass-sanitaire-une-realite-a-partir-du-9-juin-997780.html. 

Beaumont, O. (2021, November 23). De La Guadeloupe à la Martinique, l’exécutif dans le Chaudron Antillais. Leparisien.fr. https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/de-la-guadeloupe-a-la-martinique-lexecutif-dans-le-chaudron-antillais-22-11-2021-53PUNMVRMRCUZFAIWSLYSMTGQQ.php. 

Bhatia, G., Dutta, P. K., & McClure, J. (2021, December 1). Guadeloupe: The Latest Coronavirus Counts, charts and maps. Reuters. https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/guadeloupe/. 

Bhatia, G., Dutta, P. K., & McClure, J. (2021, December 1). Martinique: The latest coronavirus counts, charts and maps. Reuters. https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/martinique/.

Broulhet, F. & Gaydu, L. (2021, April 30). Young people are torn between mistrust and confidence in the face of coronavirus vaccination. Guadeloupe 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/les-jeunes-partages-entre-mefiance-et-confiance-face-a-la-vaccination-contre-le-coronavirus-995962.html.

Chrisafis, A. (2021, November 24). Guadeloupe Curfew Extended as Covid Unrest Spreads to Martinique. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/24/guadeloupe-curfew-extended-as-covid-unrest-spreads-to-martinique. 

Gouvernement France. Coronavirus—Advice for Foreign Nationals in France. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/.

Hammadi, A. & Cloris, J. (2021, November 14). Covid 19 : “Il faut tout faire pour éviter un nouveau confinement”, Déclare Bruno Le Maire. Leparisien.fr. https://www.leparisien.fr/societe/sante/covid-19-pekin-verrouille-un-peu-plus-laustralie-vaccinera-les-moins-de-12-ans-en-janvier-suivez-notre-direct-14-11-2021-WFLIYHBFF5H3XATXUMRTEATKBA.php. 

Les chiffres de la vaccination progressent lentement en Martinique. Martinique la 1ère. (2021, October 26). https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/martinique/les-chiffres-de-la-vaccination-progressent-lentement-en-martinique-1144597.html. 

Outre-Mer 1ère. (2021, April 28). Le pass sanitaire avant d’embarquer dans les avions va être testé sur les destinations d’Outre-mer. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/le-pass-sanitaire-avant-d-embarquer-dans-les-avions-va-etre-teste-sur-les-destinations-d-outre-mer-994747.html.

Plaisir, M. & Romain, P. (2021, March 19). Immersion dans le service de réanimation du CHUG où l’on craint la submersion. Guadeloupe La 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/immersion-dans-un-service-de-reanimation-qui-craint-la-submersion-963292.html.

Robert, P. & Yacou, Y. (2021, April 27). Vaccination anti-Covid : l’AstraZeneca en manque de popularité en Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe La 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/vaccination-anti-covid-l-astrazeneca-en-manque-de-popularite-en-guadeloupe-993622.html.

Soupama, E. Charlton, A. (2021, November 27). Amid riots, France to consider some autonomy for Guadeloupe. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/amid-riots-france-autonomy-guadeloupe-81419617. 
Stimpfling, E. (2021, March 6). Success for the general public vaccination campaign in Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe La 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/succes-pour-la-campagne-de-vaccination-tout-public-en-guadeloupe-952096.html.

Growth and Innovation:

Bateman, T. (2021, November 29). Why France’s Caribbean Islands are a prostate cancer hotspot. euronews. https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/11/29/the-pesticide-chlordecone-gave-these-banana-farmers-cancer-france-will-now-compensate-them. 

Champion, J. (2021, March 19). Certified organic bananas sold on the local market. Guadeloupe 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/la-banane-certifiee-bio-commercialisee-sur-le-marche-local-963283.html.

Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. (n.d.). COVID-19 : Le Fonds de Solidarité continue. Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/covid-19-le-fonds-de-solidarite-continue/.

Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. (2021, January 27). Des élèves de 6ème reçoivent leurs tablettes numériques. Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/des-eleves-de-6eme-recoivent-leurs-tablettes-numeriques/.

Fresh Plaza. (n.d.). The banana sector of Guadeloupe and Martinique is facing a very severe drought. www.freshplaza.com/article/9238295/the-banana-sector-of-guadeloupe-and-martinique-is-facing-a-very-severe-drought/.

Gouvernement France. (2020). StopCOVID. https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus/stopcovid.

Guadeloupe 1ère. (2020, November 9). Un guichet unique au bénéfice des entreprises de Guadeloupe. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/un-guichet-unique-au-benefice-des-entreprises-de-guadeloupe-891062.html.

Ministère de L’économie de Finances et de la Relance. (2020). Fonds de solidarité pour les entreprises, indépendants, entrepreneurs. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/covid19-soutien-entreprises/fonds-de-solidarite-pour-les-tpe-independants-et-micro.

Muther, C. (2021, December 2). Headed to the Caribbean this winter? The COVID-19 Restrictions are as Varied as the Islands Themselves. BostonGlobe.com. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/02/lifestyle/headed-caribbean-this-winter-covid-19-restrictions-are-varied-islands-themselves/. 

Outre-Mer 1ère. (2021, March 17). Covid-19 : Le gouvernement renforce son soutien au secteur touristique dans les Outre-mer. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/covid-19-le-gouvernement-renforce-son-soutien-au-secteur-touristique-dans-les-outre-mer-960997.html.

Pelmard, B., Théophile, C. & Danquin, C. (2021, May 3). Les auto-tests sont arrivés dans les écoles guadeloupéennes. Guadeloupe 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/covid-19-les-auto-tests-sont-arrives-dans-les-ecoles-guadeloupeennes-998896.html.

Robert, P. (2021, February 10). Des chiens dressés à la détection des personnes atteintes par le virus du Covid-19. Guadeloupe La 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/des-chiens-dresses-a-la-detection-des-personnes-atteinte-par-le-virus-du-covid-19-931378.html.

Social and Cultural Inclusion:

Agence France Presse. (2020, July 27). Anti-Racism Activists Destroy Statue Of Napoleon’s First Wife Josephine In Martinique. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/anti-racism-activists-destroy-statue-of-napoleons-first-wife-josephine-in-martinique-2269588.

Breeden, A. (2021, November 22). Unrest over vaccine mandates and Economic Inequality Rocks Guadeloupe. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/world/americas/guadelouple-protests-covid-vaccine.html. 

Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. (2021). AAP commun 2021 : Schéma Stratégique Martiniquais des Services aux Familles. Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/aap-commun-2021-schema-strategique-martiniquais-des-services-aux-familles/.

Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. (2021). COVID-19 ǀ Fonds de solidarité en faveur des artistes en difficultés. https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq/covid-19-%c7%80-fonds-de-solidarite-en-faveur-des-artistes-en-difficultes/.

Fadel, N, Mavounzy, J & Martial, C. (2021, January 24). 25ème édition du FEMI : un programme d’hommages et de belles découvertes, malgré la Covid – Guadeloupe la 1ère. Guadeloupe La 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/25eme-edition-du-femi-un-programme-d-hommages-et-de-belles-decouvertes-malgre-la-covid-916663.html.

Gallois, L. (2021, November 26). Protesters in Martinique fire at police officers and journalists. The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/world/americas/martinique-covid-protests.html. 

Gobernación del Huila. (2021, August 21). En guadalupe inició proyecto de economía campesina, familiar y comunitaria. En Guadalupe Inició proyecto de economía campesina, familiar y comunitaria. https://www.huila.gov.co/publicaciones/10820/en-guadalupe-inicio-proyecto-de-economia-campesina-familiar-y-comunitaria/. 

Looking back: Students celebrated culture, language in Martinique – Cornell College. Cornell College News Center. (2021, February 8). https://news.cornellcollege.edu/2021/02/students-celebrate-culture-language-martinique/. 

Martial, C. (2021, April 20). Couvre-feu à 19h : un nouveau coup dur pour les artistes. Guadeloupe la 1ère. https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/guadeloupe/couvre-feu-a-19h-un-nouveau-coup-dur-pour-les-artistes-988150.html. 

Tenahe, J. (2021, November 11). 1ère édition de Transmission Music Arts Festival à port-louis en guadeloupe : Un rendez-vous musical inédit pour mettre en avant le métissage culturel. Outremers360°. https://outremers360.com/bassin-atlantique-appli/1ere-edition-de-transmission-music-arts-festival-a-port-louis-en-guadeloupe-un-rendez-vous-musical-inedit-pour-mettre-en-avant-le-metissage-culturel.