by Curlan Campbell
- Letter from Grenada’s UK High Commission did not specify actual cost for accommodations
- She and other stranded nationals signed 2-page document without knowing they were expected to bear cost
- Female repatriate felt ambushed when invoiced $1,320 for mandatory quarantine accommodation
An anonymous repatriate who was among 21 nationals stranded in the United Kingdom following the outbreak of the coronavirus, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure that going forward, Grenadian repatriates are made fully aware the extent of the cost for accommodations while in mandatory quarantine at facilities approved by the Ministry of Health.
The call came as the stranded female who returned to Grenada on 3 June 2020, felt ambushed after being presented with an invoice to pay $1,320 after spending a few days in mandatory quarantine at an undisclosed hotel. The individual who wished to remain anonymous said that although the letter from Grenada’s High Commission in the UK, stated that “Passengers will also be required to bear the cost of their quarantine if there is any,” did not specify the actual cost for accommodations. Upon entry into Grenada, she signed a 2-page document that according to her, also did not specify what the actual cost was going to be, therefore, after being mentally and physically exhausted following the long trip, she and the other stranded nationals signed the document without knowing that they were expected to bear the cost. She said the situation could have been handled better and has asked that the authorities ensure that those nationals returning home should be made fully aware of what will be financially required from them.
“This is an opportunity for the government to look at a different quarantining method and managing to quarantine better — because not everyone will be able to afford hotel accommodations — and give people options so they can choose which is the best quarantine for them.”
It seems that government heeded the call after Minister for Health, Nickolas Steele, on Thursday, stated that as part of requirements for nationals to be able to come home, they must agree to bear the full cost for room and board, and, a bid to offset the additional cost for meals at the quarantine facility, nationals are allowed to have their families deliver grocery items to them as the accommodations allow for them to prepare their own meals. Speaking specifically to the 88 repatriates who are expecting to arrive in Grenada today Friday, 19 June from New York, Minister Steele said there will be a mechanism in place to assist those who truly cannot afford to pay for accommodations.
Referring to the 21 stranded nationals who returned from the UK, Minister Steele indicated that members in the private sector have stepped forward to assist in the cost for some of those individuals. However, the minister did disclose the actual cost of quarantine which to date has totalled over $600,000 for providing accommodations to over 200 repatriates most of whom would have returned from aboard the cruise ships.
“Let’s just say conservatively it cost $200 per day for food and accommodation for over 14 days then we talking about around $655,000 thereabouts in food and accommodations and we haven’t started to count the cost of testing of each individual. A PCR test is about EC$300 to EC$400. The rapid test for each individual plus the overtime as well for the health and security personnel to maintain these sites together with transportation and all those things. So individuals have been paying and we are most grateful to those cruise ships and entities that have seen that it is part of their responsibility to pay.”
The repatriate that after spending 12 days from 3-14 June in mandatory quarantine, she was allowed to pay what she could before getting to go home. However, to date, she is still in limbo since no one from the ministry has communicated to inform her if she would be still liable to pay the full cost for her quarantine accommodations.
NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.
While we are moaning about the cost there are those that are saying AA wa do them everything is Keith Mitchell Keith Mitchell lol we going the eron6 way.
The Bahamas using a different approach than we here in Grenada.
So if you test negative on the PCR test within 10 days of travel, you don’t have to quarantine.
You arrive at the bahamas airport, have your temperature taken and fill out a health questionnaire. If this is satisfactory then you can go home and go about your business as usual, but of course continue to wear masks, wash hands and social distance.
Why do we have to do the rapid test and the PCR test twice? Three tests. Then stay in a hotel until second PCR test result is negative? Then even if second PCR test is negative we still have to quarantine for fourteen days??
Valid points. Hope someone in authority addresses your questions.
Nothing changes with this government for while some Caribbean countries like Jamaica for example were getting their nationals home free, the government of Grenada seems to be going the other way of charging these returnees.
Shame Shame.
Sure it helps to pay for ministerial scotch and fags.
Millions was given to the islands including Grenada, by WHO and other agencies to pay for expenses caused by the management, and mitigation of the spread, of covid 19. Quaranteen of nationals is one of these expenses. No national should have to pay for it.
Exactly Anthea there are millions being granted to Grenada as a result of covid19 as we have been told but is there any transparency as to where it’s being spent? Why expect nationals to pay for being repatriated in their our own country when they have already paid by once to come home? That can’t be right. Government imposed the quarantine rules for good reasons but what they seem to be saying is if you can’t pay for their rules don’t come home. That’s wrong, where’s the grant money gone? Let’s see the government accounts!!
So, the cost of quarantine so far to the government is over $600,000 and roughly $200 per person per day says the minister.
In an article on 4th June the same minister was quoted as saying that the cost per person was $9500 for 14 days.
3 times as much.
I can see why, if indeed it was the case, that the cruise line reneged on their promise to part fund the quarantine for their workers.
They knew they were about to be taken for a ride!
That was not nice. Grenada to better than that. The cost should of been explained in details.. I am a born Grenadian and that was shameful.My name is listed below. Nobody should have to go through that experience.