by Linda Straker
- Friday night flight did not originate from China in recent travel history
- Measures to combat Covid-19 transmission include an Importation Transmission Watch, travel restriction list of countries and strict enforcing of mandatory quarantine of persons entering Grenada from at-risk countries
Health Minister, Nickolas Steele, has explained that the passengers on the private aircraft that landed at Maurice Bishop International Airport on Friday night at 9 pm did not originate from China in recent travel history, nor were they coming from any of the other Covid-19 hot spots, flagged by the Grenada Airports Authority (GAA).
“A private plane landed. None of the individuals onboard have been to the hotspots or countries on our travel restriction list within the last 14 days,” said Steele. He confirmed that all the passengers were screened by port health workers before they received the approval to enter Grenada by an immigration officer, as is done with other passengers from other aircraft.
He did not provide the original territories where the flight originated or transited, since, according to the minister, that information lies with the Grenada Airports Authority.
In a follow-up interview Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, dismissed as categorically false and mischievous that he has anything to do with which planes land at the airport. Dr Mitchell stated that he has had no knowledge of this plane landing and this has nothing to do with him.
Dr Mitchell went on to state that he has been busy protecting the national front from this pandemic, trying to ensure that Grenadians stay safe and that the economy survives through this crisis. Stating that the jurisdiction for airports falls under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Prime Minister said that he is assured that the ministry and management of the airport are following strict protocols, even more so at this time when we are trying to ensure we manage well the global pandemic that is Covid-19.
As part of Grenada’s preparedness, measures to combat transmission of Covid-19 include an Importation Transmission Watch, travel restriction list of countries and strict enforcing of mandatory quarantine of persons entering Grenada from at-risk countries.
In a national midday address on Friday, 13 March, Dr Mitchell announced that Grenada has entered a new phase in managing and preparing for the Covid-19 virus. As of Saturday, 14 March there was no confirmed cases on the island, but 2 persons who passed through Grenada for short periods were later tested and confirmed positive in other countries.
One of the persons is the first confirmed case in St Lucia. She is a UK citizen, and the second is a citizen of Canada, who was a cruise passenger.
To safeguard the population against the pandemic and contain this disease, Grenada will be closing all schools for 2 weeks in the first instance, adopting social distancing, and suspending visits to elderly nursing homes and prison visitations.
In providing justification for the measure, the Prime Minister explained in his address that social distancing is a new term in the fight against Covid-19. According to the experts, the virus is contracted from droplets when an infected person speaks, coughs or sneezes, and either drops on a surface or on a person within a 6-foot radius.
“We are, therefore, requesting that all public and other social gatherings, such as cultural, religious and sporting events, cinemas and other places that people gather, that cannot guarantee a minimum of 6 feet of social distancing, be suspended, until further notice,” he said.
He further advised citizens that it is paramount that there is protection as much as possible for all citizens, particularly the elderly as they are most susceptible to die in this outbreak. “We are taking no chances and making no gambles on people lives. In this regard, therefore, effective immediately, all visits to elderly nursing homes will be suspended until further notice. Those who are receiving at-home care are to exercise extreme caution,” he said.
FACT: This private jet carried Chinese Nationals. The GIS Propaganda News Release above on this Now Grenada Site clearly states that.
This Nicholas Steele, Minister of Health should focus on Grenada’s Health and Safety – not skirt safety and be hosting Chinese wanna be Investors so that more of our Homeland gets sold off, while these Politicians get filthy rich.
This are not the times to be dancing with the Chinese -: their Debt Traps are Fatal.
Yes. Why is the Government so unwilling to release the names of the countries that these recent “phantom” passengers came from? Is the Government informing us selectively?
I dont understand why they can’t say the country,I dont care risk free country or not stop, all air crafts and private yacht coming to grenada.. minister of security, and you dont know keith you better wise up. Cause that sound so dumb as you say the cooks in the hospital kitchen eating all the meat!!!!
Yeah yeah yeah send the fools further on… Really think grenadians are fools….. Try to sugar quote it…. What is all the secret about, all of a sudden private planes landing one after the other…. How come Keith wasn’t aware. ..really as minister of national security grenadians taking their death like sheep.
So does this mean that Grenada has tests for the Covid-19 virus? Have they tested those that came in contact with the affected in-transit passengers? There is alot more that needs to be explained to the citizens of Grenada, not only that the government is doing it’s best. If the Health Minister has no experience in health he would not be in a position to give health advice. Grenadians should ensure they read up on all precautions regarding the Covid-19 virus as they will not be getting the entire truthful picture from their government. Stay safe Grenada!
This is sad. Lies and politically correct responses…. The PM is an autocratic leader…..nothing happens without his approval.
We have 25 test kit…how much now have been used. If you do not test people of course your cases remain 0. The man is applying his professional training on this country…some will die…probability analysis…the remaining 23 test is for importantly functional members who we msy need to save
Something just not adding up , I believe it’s here already……God please protect us, especially those in the medical field, like doctors, nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy staff ,, cashiers (etc.)
What is amazing in this report why is it so secretive to reveal the countries the persons came from before arriving in Grenada
Grenadians like to much tabay. We have professional people who are capable of doing a job under trying unprecedented circumstances and all we can do as a people is nit pick and look to criticise. Lets let tge people do their jobs. All the distractions about , who said, where it cane etc, etc wont change anything.
Me thinks some one is telling lie’s, what are they covering up, must think people who vote for them don’t know nothing,