Government has implemented 24-hour screening at the county’s air and sea ports, as it ramps up surveillance for COVID-19.
“With effect from today, we are now 24 hours, screening every single person who comes through the Grantley Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown Port,” Minister of Health Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic announced on state television this evening.
To date, Barbados has no case of COVID-19.
Explaining the reason for the enhanced surveillance, Bostic said up to a few weeks ago, only a few countries were impacted by COVID-19.
He said now that the number of countries have expanded as a result of the spread of the virus, Barbados must respond in kind.
The Minister also explained the country’s decision not to close its borders.
“The decision not to close the borders was taken based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Health. This is based on the fact that the World Health Organization clearly states that restricting travel and trade even during the pandemic, especially during a pandemic, is really not the thing to do,” he said.
“It does not serve the purpose that people think it does in terms of reducing or stopping the importation of the virus and it actually has a negative impact on the countries that are affected. It also impacts on our ability to access technical assistance.
“If we had imposed the travel ban we would not have been able to receive the test kits that we have received and we would not have been in a position to receive the ventilators that are so very, very important for the isolation units that we have established,” he added.
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So when did this start after the voice notes? The truth will only come out when a big up get it.
Why are we now starting 24 hour screening? surely we should have been screening every single passenger coming here ever since?? There is no point spot checking. It only takes one person to bring it here. Why are we not protecting our citizens from this virus? we are an Island, it is not hard to keep it out of here. It seem this government wants the Virus here for some reason. This is foolishness.
Let’s pray that Barbados don’t have a big outbreak of this COVID-19, please continue to keep Hygiene as top priority [as a Bajan] i know you do! But be extra diligent in this time.. I’m glad to hear you [the Government] have the tools/skills/equipment to treat the people, incase you need it. Be safe, Bim! you’re in my prayers! From Ontario, Canada..
What absolute rubbish, you can still get kits via freight only flights. The virus will get here via passengers, this explanation is just greed driven and doesn’t make sense.
Have they defined what this screening will entail and how effective it is in detecting the subject virus.
hi if passengers are to be screened for 24 hours where will this take place as there is no infomation around exactly how this will be carried out in terms of whee travellers will stay during the 24 hours
What does that actually mean ? We have a holiday booked for 2nd April so need some clarity. What it looks like is that you want us to come to Barbados but then want to lock us up for the duration of our “holiday” ?!
This is sensible policy. Main thing is to monitor, test, and protect older people from getting the infection by allowing young people to get it, then go into quarantine away from older people and recover. They then form a barrier to future transmissions.