The Government of Grenada is continuing to evaluate and refine the protocols that will guide the re-opening of the country’s borders to commercial flights.
1 July 2020 was the suggested date for reopening. However, in his address to the nation Sunday night, Prime Minister, Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, said there is still work to be done.
Dr Mitchell said, “Our protocols may be perceived as rigorous, but they have to be, because public health and safety are at risk. We have tested and evaluated the protocols and identified areas for improvement.”
Grenada’s full list of protocols is expected to be finalised, approved and publicised soon. The increasing number of cases in the United States which is one of Grenada’s main source markets for tourists, presents an area of concern for government.
Dr Mitchell said, “As the global pandemic continues to spiral out of control, there is a corresponding increase in the potential for importation of the virus if we open our borders without the necessary protocols in place. At this point, we continue to work on the finalisation of protocols before we begin to accept commercial flights.”
There also exists some differences between the operating guidelines of commercial airlines and the protocols developed by the government. As a result, the Prime Minister indicated that, “for the immediate future, Grenada will only continue to welcome chartered flights as these offer greater levels of due diligence, with respect to the established protocols which include testing before departure, testing upon arrival and agreement to bear the cost of quarantine. Commercial airlines have thus far not agreed to make it mandatory for passengers to test prior to travel and this is contrary to Grenada’s protocols.”
The Prime Minister noted that while it is not practical to keep the borders closed indefinitely, at the same time public health and safety cannot be compromised. He said, “Many are wishing we can remain in the protective bubble that has kept us safe since March and that we can maintain the Covid-free status announced earlier this month. However, this is not a practical, long-term option. Caribbean countries may not have reached consensus on when to re-open our borders, but given the importance of tourism, this is generally regarded as one of the critical milestones in the effort to restart economies. The timing, however, must be right, and public health remains of paramount importance.”
The Prime Minister has empathised with nationals who are stranded overseas and he issued an appeal for them to understand that the overarching priority is to protect all citizens, therefore government must take all steps to limit the potential importation of Covid-19.
While the actual reopening of borders remains pending, Grenada continues to prepare for when commercial flights resume. Workers in the accommodation, transport and food and beverage sectors have been participating in intensive training sessions to ensure that there is consistency in the country’s approach to dealing with visitors.
Office of the Prime Minister
Dear Savage Grenadian,
Firstly, thank you for your response and I shall respectfully rebut.
Secondly, I am Grenadian. If I wasn’t, what does that have to do with my opinion?
Thirdly, the Grenadian government knew their resources were limited, hence, it was irresponsible for the Prime Minister to state borders will be open to commercial flights via public forums twice in June. Many persons bought outbound flights not only to return to their respective homes but to their jobs in regional and international countries. Additionally, many persons gave up their apartments’ in anticipation of returning home, so, mine and other persons’ displeasure of how this reopening phase is being handled is warranted. Also, whether or not you would like to believe this, the downfall and poor decisions of the country will be blamed on the current administration, especially the prime minister because he IS the LEADER of the country.
Furthermore, I do know it’s a costly venture to reopen, test and quarantine individuals wanting to re-enter for their respective reasons, and I am not negating that fact. However, it was still irresponsible and too ambitious for the Prime Minister to publicly announce the county’s reopening without having an executable plan and the necessary resources for the safety of Grenada. Please note, there are other ways to safely reopen borders, and this is being done in other countries regionally.
Lastly, how are you so sure Grenadians are happy with the boarders being closed? That’s a generalization without facts. Locally, many Grenadians have either lost their jobs or have received a major pay cut and believe it or not they still have bills to pay. Many landlords, especially those on the south of the island lost their tenants and their source of income. Let’s talk about Grenadian small businesses that were in preparation for the opening this week. Let’s talk about Grenadians in tourism. Let’s talk about persons on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. Are they happy? Look at how many persons signed up for unemployment. How long shall that money last in a large family after bills are paid? How are you certain Grenadians in other countries regionally or internationally are happy with this new announcement of extended border closure? Do you know why those Grenadians are in dire need to return home? Do you know if they are not financially able to contiune living in those countries abroad? Instead of questioning my logic and having a piss poor attitude look at how this extended closure affected persons who want to leave or return from all aspects of the physical, mental, environmental and socioeconomic spectrum.
Finally, since you think the Prime Minister’s financially costly decision was perfect, especially as it was done days before my departure, run me the money I paid for my outbound fight along with my transit hotel. Can you do that?
Respectfully,
Tired of this
Wow! Lots of comments to digest concerning the subject matter (P.M canceled the re-opening of its borders for commercial flights). So as a result, we have different view points about the matter. However, I think everyone entering Granada should have a COVID-19 test done in the country where he or she departed. I definitely will have one done before leaving N.Y…its FREE.
The only thing I would like is that, if you have to be quarantined upon arrival, then I think you should be allowed to be self-quarentine at home. That is if your COVID-19 result is negative, especially if there’s no other person(s) within your place of residence in Grenada.
Savage you criticizing that person’s grammar, yet you spell border …. boarder ??
Hi Savage, I believe He’s is the same as He is. Like you are can be written as you’re also She’s can be written as she is. The person needed to edit before posting. He probably meant to say, ‘He is making .. or He made.. or He has made.., but don’t take about his grammatical error and not help him see his error the correct way.
Many students would like to come back and study in person.
Could they have a flight chartered to bring them in and then quarantine at the university.
I am certain this would help the economy!
I am in full agreement with the border closing of the Grenada Airport. However, I would suggest that PM Mitchell not forecast any reopening dates. I packed two barrels in preparation for travel in August which I will now suspend. However, I would advise that the PM not open the airport until the so-called “1st World” countries open their borders to international travel: UK, Canada, and US remains closed, so why should we reopen ours at such critical time. Grenadians have land for agriculture, daylight for electricity and sea water for bath and relaxation. Ones health is more important than economic growth. I am so ashamed of the so-called 1st world country whose health department is aware of an airway virus and does not recommend the basics of covering your nose and mouth as the minimal precaution until the deaths rose. I love my 3rd world country.
He has not made himself foolish, but instead you are acting selfish. I would love to visit the beautiful island of Grenada, but I know I’m coming from a place that is the epicenter of the disease. Therefore, I have to think of the elderly, children and those whose immune system is compromised! Let us think before we write! Let us treat others the way we would like to be treated.
As desperate as I am to come home, I’m in total agreement with this decision. The airlines can make this much easier by complying with what’s required of them. Other passengers, Grenada AND the airline’s workers are at major risks. How is this so hard to understand?
If the airlines will not ensure passengers to Grenada are pcr tested prior to boarding, then why don’t we do it ourselves?
If you are not pcr tested before boarding , and cannot a show a negative pcr certificate upon arrival in Grenada , then you will be forced to quarantine for the time it takes to do two pcr tests and a rapid test.
Those with pcr tests done prior to boarding should be rewarded with a shorter quarantine time upon arrival.
If length of quarantine is based upon whether you test before boarding, then I am sure most travelers will take it upon themselves to be tested.
He is made himself look really dotish on Sunday. He announced that boarders opening July 1st twice. I booked by ticket and had to sign up to return to my country of residence for him to now completely shut down boarders. Many persons loss money who are trying to leave. He needs to do better instead of coming on public tv to make not only himself but his government look incompetent. DO BETTER PRIME MINISTER !! your people are suffering from your decisions!!!
First of all it’s He’s and not He is, Secondly what’s your logic on saying he made himself and his Government look incompetent? Let’s be very clear here do you have any idea how expensive it is for a country to run a PRC test and to also foot the cost of quarantine for anyone who has tested positive for the Corona virus, who might be coming into the country once our boarders are opened? To be quite honest Grenadians are not suffering we are very much happy with our boarders remaining closed until the time right to have commercial flight return to the island. Have you been looking at the news lately? The number of cases in the US have more than tripled in just a few weeks because of the incompetence of the now US president. If you actually want to talk about incompetence then the US Government under the leadership of Donald J. Trump is the perfect example. If you’re not a citizen of Grenada then I would suggest you contact your countries embassy to see what options are available to you to leave if that’s you many concern. But for now PLEASE SHUT THE HELL UP! The Government of Grenada have all right to make decisions to keep it’s country safe and corona free. The prime minister clearly do not need your input on how to do his job Mr or Mrs tired of this nonsense. Upsetting the inner most part of my damn soul with your damn comment filled with grammatical errors.
Dear Savage Grenadian,
Firstly, thank you for your response and I shall respectfully rebut.
Secondly, I have am Grenadian. If I wasn’t, what does that have to do with my opinion?
Thirdly, the Grenadian government knows the resources they have is limited. Hence, it was irresponsible for the Prime Minister, to say that there’re opening boarders to commercial flights via public forums. Many persons bought flights out of here not only to return to their respective homes, but to their jobs in regional and international counties. Also, whether or not you would like to believe it, the downfall and poor decisions of the country will be blamed on the current administration and the prime minister because he IS the LEADER of the country.
Furthermore, I do understand it’s a costly venture in reopening, testing and quarantining individuals wanting to re-enter for their respective reasons, and I am not negating that fact, but, it was still irresponsible and too ambitious for the Prime Minister to publicly state they are reopening and not completely have a protocol and the resources in place to handle to a massive influx of persons. There are other ways in reopening boarders, and this can be done through phases.
Lastly, how are you so sure Grenadians are happy? That’s a generalization without facts. Many Grenadians have either lost their jobs or have received a major pay cut and believe it or not they still have bills to pay. Many landlords, especially Grenadian landlords on the south of the island lost their tenants and their source of income. Let’s talk about Grenadian small businesses that greatly suffered during these times. Let’s talk about persons on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale. Are they happy? Look how many persons had to sign up for unemployment. How long shall that last in a large family after bills are paid? Instead of questioning my logic and being having a piss poor attitude look at it from all aspects of the spectrum.
Respectfully,
Tired of this