The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) has been advised that the Cabinet of Ministers gave approval on February 28, 2020 for the extension of the quarantine requirement to include all regions of Italy in view of the COVID-19 outbreak in that country. Travelers from Italy, China, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea will therefore be quarantined for 14 days.
The MOHWE wishes to advise that there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean region. During the period February 7th to 27th, 2020, a total of 20 persons were quarantined. To date 17 persons have completed the fourteen (14) day period, including 3 persons who tested negative for COVID-19 after two of them were noted to low grade fevers. Three persons remain quarantined having traveled from Japan and Italy.
The MOHWE wishes to “thank the general public, our partner stakeholders and our visitors for your support as we work together to keep us healthy.”
Once again, the public is advised to continue to take the following steps to avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses:
1. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze;
3. Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you do not have a tissue;
4. Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms
5. Do not go to school of work when you have the flu.
The MOHWE says it will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 and other public health issues.