Hefty Sanctions for Non-Compliant Tourists

Written By: Central Health - Grenada

Grenada’s boarders, through a phased process, are opening. A legitimate concern for many would be non-compliant tourists.  Non-compliance in this instance could range from breaking quarantine to not wearing masks. Although, our visitors must be welcomed as they escape to relax and explore our beautiful island,  they must comply with our laws. According to Dr. George Mitchell, head of the National COVID-19 Response Team, via actions through parliament, the current monetary sanctions for non-compliance will increase.

This revelation occurred on Friday July 17, 2020, when Central Health – Grenada interviewed the Coordinator of the National COVID-19 Response Team as part of its online series entitled, COVID-19 & Those Most At Risk. “The sanctions that that have been on the books for many, many years were deemed inadequate. Just not enough to deter persons and so this is going to be brought to Parliament,” said Dr. Mitchell. He went onto say, “I suspect that very early next week the fines surrounding breaking quarantine etcetera will be revised and will be implemented upwards.” 

Grenada has to take steps to move on.  The way our world economics is designed, we have to smartly create a new normal. COVID-19 will be around for a while and so the process of welcoming tourists to our island is part and parcel of the overall process. Having said that, as far as Dr. Mitchell and his team are concerned, if you are coming from what they have deemed as Yellow or Red Zones, meaning that there is active transmissions there, expect to be quarantined for a certain period of time. “Unlike the St. Vincent experience, where people were allowed to go home, and they have their peculiarities about them - that they were allowed to go home, Grenada is not about to take that kind of chance. I’m sorry - no. We are not about to take that kind of chance. If you are coming from an area where there is active transmission, and you want to come and have fun, then your fun of course would be enjoying our beautiful island - but from your secured location.”

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Health outlined its phased approach for opening the Boarders - Low Risk(OECS Countries), Medium(CARICOM, UK, Canada) and High(US or visited the USA 14 days prior to arrival) arrivals would be permitted during different time periods. Our visitors or those returning home, would have to bear additional costs, outside of their airfare, and adhere to strict procedures. In fact, traveling via aircraft requires serious planning. Everyone entering Grenada must have certain things and accept our laws and procedures:

1. Download key forms - https://covid19.gov.gd/required-incoming-passenger-forms/

(a) Incoming Passenger Home Quarantine Application

(b) International Passenger Health Declaration Form (must sign)

2. Negative PCR Test (Yellow Zone - 7 days prior & Red Zone - just before arrival)

3. Prepare to be tested upon arrival (Yellow Zone - rapid test & Red Zone PCR Test)

4. Pay to reserve quarantine location (government approved sites only) - meals not included.

5. Download Grenada's Contract Tracing App

6. If positive upon arrival, expect to cover all costs for retaking tests - first testing is free.

To watch Central Health – Grenada’s interview with Dr. Michell – click here.

For a full recap travel protocols – click here.

A Question of Protection: The Future of COVID-19 Vaccinations for Grenada

Written By: Central Health - Grenada

Vaccinations are important. They help prevent and control the spread of infectious communicable diseases and illnesses. However, numerous news reports have made it clear that once COVID-19 surfaced and spread rapidly around planet earth, causing over 12 million cases and over 500,000 deaths worldwide the race to develop a vaccine took off. Millions and millions of dollars are being invested into developing a vaccine to control the spread of COVID-19, even while the virus mutates. Notwithstanding, part of the process for verifying the effectiveness of vaccinations is to encourage humans to enroll in clinical trials. These facts raise two questions:

1.    What measures have been put in place to protect Grenadians from becoming ‘guinea pigs’ in an ill-intentioned scientists or individuals’ clinical trial?

2.     What reassurances will nationals be given regarding the source of the COVID-19 vaccination supplied to our region – considering our genetic makeup may be different from those tested?

As part of an ongoing online series entitled, “COVID-19 & Those Most at Risk,” Central Health – Grenada interviewed, public health practitioner E. Francis Martin (DR), MD., MPH., on the aforementioned concerns. 

Whereas Dr. Martin acknowledged that the vaccination protocol and schedule used in Grenada is guided by the technical support of PAHO/WHO, he made it very clear that currently there is an absence of legislation that deals with the protection of human sampling. “There is a concern for the region, in a sense that our small islands -  we don’t have strong legislation that speaks to the use of human sampling or use of human subjects for research purposes. So, I will make a blanket statement to say that because we have weak legislation for human sampling, a company can request to use the Caribbean as human subjects. It would be left up to the national governments and the public health and ministries to make a final decision on it,” said Dr. Martin

When asked by the Founder of Central Health – Grenada, Roslyn A. Douglas, MA, DTM whether Grenadians should have concerns about the source of the vaccine, Dr. Martin legitimized the question, stating that medications that work well for persons with one genetic makeup may not work well for another, “It is true that if your genetic sequencing puts you in a different gene pool, a vaccine that works in “A-area geographically,’ may not necessarily work in “B – geographical area.”

To watch the entire 10 minute interview segment visit Central Health – Grenada’s YouTube Channel – click here. 

For permission to publish this article email: centralhealthgnd@hotmail.com