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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, March 13, 2020 (CMC) – The Barbados government says it has placed no restrictions on travel to the island, at this time, even as some Caribbean countries are reporting cases of the coronavirus that has killed at least one person in Guyana.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed that the measures of screening and testing are underway, and “no-one has tested positive for the respiratory illness, so far”.
“With no known cases, we continue to welcome and embrace visitors to our shores, however, the protocols, established by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, to contain any potential spread of the virus, remain in effect,” it said.
These protocols include utilisation of advance passenger information, immigration screening, and port health monitoring. All current and proposed actions are based on level of risk, determined by public health authorities.
It said, all persons coming to Barbados, with a history of having travelled to countries with widespread local transmission, are quarantined for a period of 14 days, after last exposure.
“Barbados has a program for both quarantine and isolation, based on the level of risk, determined by Public Health Authorities. Both units are guided by standard operation procedures and protocols. Barbados is able to accommodate both high- and low-risk travellers,” the health ministry said.
Barbados said that the mandatory quarantine facility is to be used for high-risk persons, without symptoms, and that any person with potential exposure, who develops symptoms consistent with coronavirus, will be admitted to the National Isolation Facility for testing and further management.
