The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) calls on the government of Antigua and Barbuda to immediately cancel the 2020 Sailing Week activities given the rapid daily escalation in the number of persons infected globally by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The political party stated that participants in the annual sailing regatta traditionally come from countries in which the disease has not been contained and infections are growing at an alarming rate.
The DNA is of the concerted view that the health and wellbeing of the people of Antigua and Barbuda outweigh any considerations of actual or perceived economic benefits which may be derived from the hosting of the event. Consequently, we urge that common sense, global best practices, responsibility and maturity prevail among the members of the Cabinet and that a decision to cancel sailing week guided by medical technical advice be taken.
While we commend the measures and best practices being taken by the government to date, as recommended by the PAHO and WHO, to ready the nation to respond to any potential outbreak of COVID-19, we are keenly aware that our health facilities are likely to become overwhelmed and unduly burdened should a mass number of persons become infected during the sailing regatta.
Specifically, the isolation and quarantine facility to be located at the compound of the Holberton Hospital remains incomplete with mere weeks to the official commencement of sailing week. Further, there are other critical issues to be put in place, namely the equipping, outfitting and staffing of the facility.
Of equal concern is the fact that that there is not yet available on island a testing facility to diagnose suspected cases of infection and samples are still required to be sent overseas for testing to countries grappling with their own domestic cases. Likewise, the additional challenges to our coast guard services is incalculable.
Given the totality of the existing challenges facing our country to redress efficiently a potential mass outbreak of COVID-19, we urge the government to embrace the adage “to be better safe than sorry”.
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Lets start with the basics like running water to wash your hands. Parts of Falmouth Harbour and Monks Hill haven’t had water for weeks. If they do is brown and smells…….
Has the DNA held its convention to confirm Joanne Massiah (or someone else) as leader of the party?
Erica garn
Vere garn
DNA will wipe out the UPP has opposition in the next election. Joanne Messiah just hang in there hope you will get back your deposit next time.
Larger nations than us (with greater budgets) are worried about Covid-19 and the devastating effects it can have on communities. We are a nation where families live in close proximity to each other in households, and will not have the space to self isolate when that time comes. We have elderly people living in these homes, that will have a reduced immune system. Once this virus starts to ramp up, the medical facilities will not be able to look after the numbers of people that will need assistance. This is FACT! Global sporting events are being cancelled and we are in unprecedented times. Instead of bringing people into the country, we need to limit numbers that are coming in. Tourism is our economy, but we need to look at the world around us, and see that this is not a time to look at tourists as our solution. Let’s start with good hygene and water supplies.
Be safe Antigua, and look after those that are not able to look after themselves. This is a serious time for all, and will be getting a lot more serious over the coming months.
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