CMO Says System For Screening Airport Passengers Working

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Chief Medical Officer's Intervention

(Hurst Cabinet Notes)

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) was asked about the smoothness of the systems now in place at V.C. Bird International Airport to move all arriving passengers through the various check-points, since detractors were claiming on social media and in text messages that the system was “facing meltdown”, and that returning nationals were being “treated differently” to tourists arriving on the same flight.

The CMO pointed out that the steps which lead to all arriving passengers being cleared to leave the airport are identical.

The temperature checks, the nine kiosks manned by medical personnel, the appearance before the Immigration and Customs officers do not change for any of the arriving passengers.

The CMO noted that returning nationals are likely to be sent to self-quarantine, though several are sent to the Hawksbill for quarantine when home is deemed inadequate; the returning nationals are likely to mix with family and friends and could unwittingly pass the coronavirus on to their loved-ones.

The tourists are dispatched to hotels where there are systems in place to ensure that the visitors do not spread the virus, should they be infected, the CMO explained.

All arriving passengers would have presented a Covid-free certificate to the medical authorities at the airport. Yet, that certificate is not deemed sufficient for entry into Antigua. It is the best which can be done to ensure that a passenger can board a flight heading to Antigua.

The claim of unequal treatment is untrue.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Hundreds per day arriving for 60+ days and under 1300 tested here in Antigua since march?
    Look, just wear your masks see!

  2. Some tourists are staying in residential areas in AIRBNB type situations. I don’t know if this is legal, but it’s happening.

    I imagine tourists are also shopping at Epicurean and coming into contact with locals this way.

    If they are not going to test ALL travelers upon arrival (tourists or national), I suggest they screen them by temperature and also a OLFACTORY test. Loss of smell seems to be a stronger indicator of COVID infection than elevated temperature.

  3. As the headlines implied.Does anyone thinks the CMO would say otherwise.She would be sitting on the breadline so fast.She would not know what hits her.

  4. @Antiguan: Humble lady.What is that?She needs to become more assertive.In my opinion she is too laid back.She should not let her oath as a Doctor be clouded by Politics and or by Politicians.

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