40 Nationals opt to Stay in Martinique to Avoid Being Quarantined

As of March 21, 2020, Saint Lucia has a total of 2 confirmed cases. The results received on Friday, March 20, 2020 for eleven (11) patients were all negative.

On Friday, March 20, 2020, ninety-five (95) nationals from Martinique arrived in Saint Lucia. Their arrival was coordinated with Consul General Ms. Joanna Salton and all of the passengers were briefed in Martinique. As a result, forty (40) passengers opted to remain in Martinique to avoid being quarantined.

On their arrival at the ports, they were transported to the quarantine site at the Rodney Bay Public Health Facility. The passengers were very agitated as they did not want to be quarantined and requested to go home. The Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) provided the necessary support and somewere settled in very late into their rooms.

Special provision was put in place for the elderly, pregnant women and those with small children. Quarantine conditions include single room boarding except in the case of families and couples who are allowed to board together.

Quarantine is necessary for persons who are well and may have been exposed to a communicable disease. It applies to people who may or may not become sick. It restricts the movement of healthy people who may develop a disease after possible exposure to an infectious agent. It requires people to stay in a designated location for a specific period of time. Active monitoring including temperature checks and checking for respiratory symptoms is done.

Quarantine centres have been set up using various hotels to facilitate the large numbers of returning nationals and any non-nationals of concern, that may arrive. All persons in quarantine are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The public is reminded to focus on the maintenance of standard recommendations to prevent the spread of infection. These include:

–regular hand washing with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizer where soap and water is not available.

–cover mouth and nose with disposable tissues or clothing when coughing and sneezing.

–avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

–seek medical attention and share your travel history with your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel. We continue to advise on social distancing as an effective strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.