The country’s top health officials have cited the COVID-19 management systems in place, and the lack of confirmation relating to transmission of the new virus variant, as reasons the government will continue to allow incoming flights from the UK.
The new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (called B.1.1.7) – the virus that causes Covid-19 – was discovered in the UK in September, but it has been rapidly spreading in England, reportedly accounting for more than 60% of the cases in London.
New lockdowns have been implemented in the country as a result, erasing previous plans by the British government for an ease of restrictions over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Perhaps more importantly, a host of countries have begun to introduce fresh travel restrictions on incoming UK travel, including regional neighbours, Grenada and Jamaica.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda though, has decided not to take similar action, a decision that could be described as polarising at best. An increase in tourism movement from source markets like the UK and the US over the next few months, was identified as sort of a cushion to the economic blow suffered for much of this year. In fact, reports in November said flight and hotel bookings were steadily increasing.
While much of the tourism industry is looking forward to that much-need financial injection, there are others in the country who believe the mitigation of this ‘new threat’ should include fresh travel restrictions on the UK.
However, addressing a Ministry of Health media conference yesterday, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, expressed confidence that the systems currently in place can handle the threat of the new variant.
“From time to time, we are faced with having to make similar decisions within a specific time or specific timeframe. There is nothing static about managing Covid. When developments take place, we have to respond based on our capacity at a particular time and [consider] what are the issues involved in the process of managing Covid [regarding] the transmission.
“Any transmission – especially this new variant of the virus – in our estimation, will be successfully managed by the Ministry of Health and all the other ministries involved, by applying the same set of protocols and the rules governing the ports of entry in Antigua and Barbuda.
“When I refer to the ports of entry and the activities there, I emphasise the importance of good surveillance and the work done by our health officials at the ports of entry. What we have to consider with this new variant of the virus, is whether or not we have the capacity in place where we could effectively manage this new variant – and I’m confident that we do,” Sir Molwyn declared.
Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rhonda Sealy-Thomas, clarified that – despite reports saying otherwise – there has been no confirmation to this point that the new variant is any more transmissible.
“It has been reported that the new variant is more transmissible than other variants. I was in a weekly briefing with the World Health Organisation (WHO) just this morning, and there, it was emphasised that it has not yet been proven that that is in fact so. [However], because of the nature of Covid-19, they’re being very cautious, and they are treating this new variant as if it is more transmissible – but that has not been confirmed as yet.
“We need to note that all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, change over time and so far, there have been hundreds of variations of this virus identified worldwide; PAHO/WHO have been following them closely,” Dr Sealy-Thomas explained.
She also disclosed that an investigation will get underway shortly, to determine whether Antigua and Barbuda has been exposed to the new variant.
“In a meeting with CARPHA just this week, they – collaborating with the University of the West Indies – will be doing sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that would have been circulating in the region, including Antigua and Barbuda.
“So, in a few days, we’ll be able to know what variant has been circulating in Antigua and in the region, and whether or not the variant that they have identified so far has been in Antigua and Barbuda. Certainly, we will be bringing that information to the public.”
Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minster, also disclosed yesterday that there was no indication – up to Tuesday afternoon – from the major carriers out of the UK, that they are considering scaling down flights due to the new restrictions implemented in Britain. — Observer Media
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We all know the reason the govt wont restrict UK flights-the big hotels want the dollars and that beats taking care of Antiguans health and welfare
I totally agree Arnold. There’s just something about this man that I don’t like . His arrogance is similar to Caribbean Trump
Bulletin: You can’t spend money when you’re dead?
You don’t plan to help pay for your own coffin? Funerals can be quite expensive. Said wealth may even be able to aid you in getting proper medical help, and perhaps even delay death
Well anyone faced with the choice of life or death will invariably choose life so I hope that we stop the money from coming in so that life can be assured.
And u cant pay feed family, pay rent or morgage pay bills without money. Aru to f### badminded round ya. So people nah work since March and have mountains of debt to pay chupz.
Can’t pay either when you dead buddy . 😖
Just-sharing please tell me if a resident in Antigua catches the covid virus from a visitor from the UK and becomes seriously ill and dies as a result, how would the injection of money into the economy from the UK visitor delay the death of the deceased. In fact, the death of the deceased would have resulted from coming into contact with the infected UK visitor with all their money.
Oh hush ya f###### mouth. U ah one f##### lawyer who born wide one f###### gold spoon in ya mouth. Some people nah work since f##### March. U go pay my f###### bills and feed ma f##### pickney. Aru just f##### banminded ya r###
We have to take risk but good risk ,we have to sacrifice but reasonable sacrifice the country is doing a reasonable job of controlling the virus,if we continue to follow the necessary protocols thing would be fine for now ,bro we can’t lock the country down for so long, the badminded people that saying to lock down is those that a working getting there big pay have plenty money in the bank so they can live off for a longtime, we poor people that getting minimum wages and lost our job,how long the government will feed us unemployed person and still pay government workers and other business with the country lock down for so long Lord Jesus help us. Covidiot ur right pray for them.
The CMO says there is no evidence that the new variant is any more transmissible . Well there is also no evidence that it isn’t . The rate of transmission of this new variant certainly suggest that it is . Antigua should err on the SAFE side .
The Minister is over confident saying they ” will successfully manage any transmission ” . Many of us have had first hand experience with our medical systems ability to provide service . So what has changed ?
Locking down or not locking down should depend on the objective assessment of the centre for disease control and a combination of other independent advices to the mohw . An effective Covid management mechanism is needed whether there is lockdown or relaxation. Such approach was used by France this very week in objectively assessing transit through the UK channel and implementing additional or enhanced Covid management systems that minimizes risk to citizens health and the UK economy that is seriously transportation skewed.If Covid has come to stay as research evidence seems to suggest lockdown and increased restrictions will be insufficient to address present or future developments and maintaining a sense of balance with our economic and survival realities.
We all know the Government don’t have money to do nothing. So to hell with the safety of Antiguans . All we getting is state of emergency.
Antigua ban flights from the UK? Hell no, they love and worship white people too much! But they will quickly ban black peoples countries like DR…smh …wake up local people! All others countries banning UK flights for safety of their citizens..WTF you doing Antigua???
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