Brothers and sisters, we have entered a new phase in managing and preparing for the Covid-19 virus. By all available evidence, and based on the current trends we have seen in our neighbouring Islands, we expect that we will soon see our first case of Covid-19 on island.
In those circumstances, therefore, and in order to safeguard our population against this pandemic, and contain this disease, the following measures will take effect on Monday, 16 March.
All schools in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique will be closed for 2 weeks in the first instance, as a necessary precaution against the contracting or spread of Covid-19.
Further, teachers are being asked to work from home from next Wednesday, 18 March. Educators and administrators are asked to report to schools on Monday and Tuesday, 16 and 17 March, to prepare all relevant material needed to work remotely.
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.
It is paramount that we protect as much as possible all citizens, particularly our elderly as they are most susceptible to die in this outbreak, as we can all recall the sad events in a nursing home in Washington when 29 elderly people were the first recorded deaths in the United States. We are taking no chances and making no gambles on people’s 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.
We encourage the general population, especially the elderly, to continue to exercise an abundance of caution in everyday practices, to protect yourself and your families.
Those include constant and proper hand-washing, with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with at least 70% alcohol and disinfecting all surfaces using a mixture of bleach and water.
As I stated earlier, social distancing is one of the established best practices in the fight against the community spread of Covid-19. In that regard, we are asking that you refrain from using public transportation, when possible. We encourage bus operators to continue to sanitize their buses using the bleach and water mixture.
You will see aggressive sanitization measures taking place in public spaces, where necessary.
While the disease is serious, it is manageable, if we all work together.
By all accounts supported by scientific data, 80% of Covid-19 cases exhibit mild symptoms and recover at home. 20% develop more serious illness. The highest risk of serious illness is in people older than 80 years. People with serious underlying health conditions also are more likely to develop serious outcomes including death. The people who are at greatest risk are those older and who also have serious long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease.
I remind all citizens to continue to exercise an abundance of caution in everyday practices, to protect yourselves and your families.
Abstain from touching your face (eyes, nose and mouth) with unclean hands, and adopt social distancing practices as much as possible.
Brothers and sisters, this is not the first time the world has been faced with a crisis of such proportion; neither is it the first time that the State of Grenada has been faced with a national challenge. If we act responsibly, collectively and early, we shall overcome this.
We have overcome challenges before and we will again. Our resilience is best revealed when we work together on all fronts.
We have always been our brothers’ keeper and we will continue to do so. Call up your neighbours; check on them… but most of all, take all individual precautions to guard against and prevent the spread of this virus.
I thank the Ministry of Health and all those on the frontlines, working to ensure that no effort is spared in the management of this disease.
Please pay attention to all advisories disseminated by the Ministry of Health and all relevant authorities.
We are all in this together.
Government will be speaking with the International Monetary Fund and other international partners shortly, and will be looking at ways and means to bolster this situation and to keep our economies afloat during and after this crisis.
Fellow citizens, I assure that Government is working aggressively and we urge you to work with us on this. Already, we have met with all major stakeholders and we are assured of their support.
The Ministry of Health will continue to lead all efforts and will disseminate updates as necessary. The National Disaster Management Agency has already been activated, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the National Coordinator of Covid-19, Dr Mitchell.
In conclusion, the Government of Grenada will continue to monitor the developments related to the virus and will review decisions as more information and updates are made available.
We are all in this together.
I thank you.
GIS
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It is awesome
THANK YOU Dr. MITCHELL FOR YOUR CONTINIED CONCERNS AND ACTIONS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN HOWEVER, TWO WEEKS OF SCHOOLS CLOSURE IN INSUFFICIENT.. PLEASE EXTEND IT TO AT 14 DAYS..
COVID-19
1. Solution is so simple. Why no one has thought about it sooner.
2. Solution: NO ONE could go outside their home without a mask.
3. Any mask will do as it is a large size virus (120 nm), scientists say.
4. Jailed people not wearing a mask outside their home for 14 days.
5. Take out your meal. Eat at home or in your car. Keep a few masks in your pocket for others.
6. Refuse to talk to not masked people.
7. It is a very small inconvenient for 14 days to save millions of life. It may well be your grandma.
8. You may not need to wash your hands or sanitize everywhere as COVID-19 will only be inside infected one’s masks.
9. Empower everyone to enforce wearing a mask law WW and covid-19 pandemic will start regressing in 14 days.
10. When you get home, put the mask in a ziplock, in your pocket and wash your 2 fingers, 20 seconds with soap.
Wearing a face mask is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee that you won’t get sick – viruses can also transmit through the eyes and tiny viral particles, known as aerosols, can penetrate masks. However, masks are effective at capturing droplets, which is a main transmission route of coronavirus, and some studies have estimated a roughly fivefold protection versus no barrier alone (although others have found lower levels of effectiveness).
If you are likely to be in close contact with someone infected, a mask cuts the chance of the disease being passed on. If you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus, or have been diagnosed, wearing a mask can also protect others. So masks are crucial for health and social care workers looking after patients and are also recommended for family members who need to care for someone who is ill – ideally both the patient and carer should have a mask.
However, masks will probably make little difference if you’re just walking around town or taking a bus so there is no need to bulk-buy a huge supply.
Great initiative. We may not have the resources as the developed nation’s but we do great planning. Big up to the hard working healthcare teams in Grenada. Be safe while providing care for our nation.
Good afternoon. I just listened to the speech, and not a word was mentioned about a possible travel ban. Nothing mentioned about non-national students being forced to the exit the island, and nothing about measures being taken to ensure infected travelers are not allowed to enter.
In Canada, our government is asking us not to travel to any international destinations. So, what do we do if we booked travel many months ago, paid a lot of money, and won’t get a refund.
Good afternoon,
Is the airport going to stay open and the port accept cruise ships?