COVID-19 had a significant impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism-dependent economy in 2020. The outbreak in March prompted the implementation of a series of emergency public health measures to stem the spread of the virus that restricted the number of confirmed cases to 157persons during the year. However, these measures severely affected economic output, employment, and public finances.

The economic recovery trajectory is uncertain. The country experienced a surge in cases during the first quarter of 2021. Even as mass vaccination programmes are being rolled out, external demand is likely to remain dampened by a similar surge in European nations that could delay plans to restart travel.