The risk of COVID-19 spreading from Grenada has increased tremendously for St Vincent and the Grenadines. This is according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves who has been monitoring Grenada’s growing numbers.
Gonsalves has expressed concern about the location of Union Island and the movements between Carriacou, Petite Martinique, St Vincent and Mayreau.
While he does not want to close the port at Union Island again, the prime minister says SVG cannot allow the risk to increase in Union Island. The Coast Guard has since been asked to do additional patrols.
Noting the presence of the Mu variant in SVG, Gonsalves says: “We have to be extremely careful.”
Over the long weekend, Vincentians were urged to avoid large gatherings to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The prime minister says the police force did a fairly good job in seeking to control the large gathering of people at beaches and clubs, however, there were one or two spots that were not as encouraging.
Gonsalves says he understands there was one place in the Arnos Vale area on Saturday night that had crowds of people. The police went more than three times to keep the numbers down.
The prime minister says he was made aware that it’s a relatively new place with some ‘innovative cultural performances’ which are of interest, particularly to men.
Gonsalves says he also heard a new place in his constituency last Friday night was like a Carnival. “All of that is entirely unacceptable.”
He is urging proprietors to show good sense and restraint and follow the protocols.
The prime minister was speaking on his ‘Face to Face’ radio programme on Wednesday morning.