by Linda Straker
- Arrival from USA last week is latest laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 patient
- Person among Grenadians who returned via a charter Jetblue flight on Wednesday, 22 July
- Health Minister announced during sitting of Lower House of Parliament
Approximately after 6 weeks since declaring case number 23, Grenada on Wednesday announced that a passenger who arrived on the island from the USA last week, has become the country’s latest laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 patient.
The person was among a group of Grenadians who returned via a charter Jetblue flight on Wednesday, 22 July. Under the new health protocol, all persons arriving in on an international flight must be placed in 14 days mandatory quarantine.
“So, the person is already in quarantine,” Health Minister, Nickolas Steele said as he announced the new positive case during a sitting of the Lower House of Parliament. He had earlier told the House that he was awaiting the result of 1 person. The result was expected by midday. As he concluded his presentation after 11 am he told the members that he had just received a text confirming that the person was positive.
Grenada’s first Covid-19 case announced in March, was imported on a flight from the United Kingdom. Government took immediate action to contain and control the spread of the disease by declaring a State of Emergency with a curfew.
Since then the island has gradually reopened for business and easing of the restrictions as implemented in March. Physical or social distancing and wearing a face mask or appropriate form of face covering is now mandatory.
There are also new health protocols for all arriving passengers since the island’s lone international airport was reopened on 15 July. Passengers on all international flights must be placed in mandatory quarantine, even if they have the result of a test from a place of origin saying they are negative.
A rapid Covid test is conducted on all arriving passengers. Government has set 1 August as the date to welcome commercial air passengers from international cities.
In the meantime, government is facing strong objection to legislation that will provide new measures for living in a world while Covid-19 continues to be a global health pandemic. The bill was scheduled to be debated in the House of Representatives sitting on Wednesday but was withdrawn for consultation with various interest groups.
However, some people are calling for the scrapping of the bill and, while the health minister was announcing the new case, they were outside the parliament building in a silence protest, claiming that Grenada is Covid-19 free.
Big Problem: Can anyone tell me the true and actual fee that all arriving passengers must pay on arrival for quarantine? Ex: I am coming in from the USA and I understand I must pay an additional 400.00 to 600.00 Dollars once I arrive, FOR TESTING FEES.even though I have tested negative.
The next problem: if I am negative, and I must remain in quarantine for 14 days, once I ARRIVE i have paid my 400 to 600, quarantine fee, WHY SHOULD i HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER FEE THAT WILL BE OVER 1000.00 IN ORDER TO STAY IN IN A HOTEL NOT INCLUDING FOOD AND DRINKS?.
Why is the local Government not making this part known? *(Hidden Expenses).
Since I am Negative, I am willing to pay my teasing fee upon arrival, why cant I continue to my destination and remain in quarantine for 14 days, since I am Negative?
I guess the same reason that the 24th case tested negative prior to arrival yet tested positive upon arrival.
Fact of the matter is… you can contract the virus after testing or on your journey to Grenada (whether it be to the airport, at the airport or on the aircraft).
Yes government need to make the public aware of ALL costs prior to travel.
How can this happen? Where is confirmation of negative test? Crazy and dangerous.
Yes testing should be done before boarding flight to any where. Passenger should have documented in their hand saying they r NEGATIVE and Even THEN SELF ISOLATION FOR 14 DAYS AT DESTINATION. THIS IS A SERIOUS VIRUS
The requirements for countries in certain zones are listed so if this flight came from a zone that list the requirements for passengers to undertake, then this person should have done what us expected of them prior to taking this flight.
Did this individual do a pcr test before boarding?
Individuals without a negative certificate should not be allowed to board .
So unfair to his fellow passengers who now may have been exposed.