Barbadians have welcomed the decision allowing travel to Guyana using only a national ID card from July 1, with many describing the move as long overdue and a step towards easier regional travel.

The new arrangement, announced on Monday by the governments of Barbados and Guyana ahead of both countries’ 60th Independence anniversaries, will allow eligible citizens to travel between the two countries without a passport.

On the streets of Bridgetown on Tuesday, several people said the change could encourage more Caribbean travel while reducing some of the stress linked to moving around the region.