Despite the low risk for the Caribbean region for the 2019 novel corona virus (2019-nCoV), travellers to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) from main land China and countries with significant transmission will be isolated in their homes as appropriate for a period of 14 days after departure from China.
This is among the precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) in a release issued Friday evening.
The release said also that although the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the 2019-nCoV outbreak in Wuhan, China as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the risk of the novel 2019-Corona virus for the Caribbean region remains low, according to The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
CARPHA has assessed that the risk is low because there are no direct flights from China to the Caribbean and travelers will receive multiple screenings before arrival to CARICOM Member States including St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Despite this low risk status, the Ministry of Health requests that travellers note the following:
1. Non-essential travel to main land China and countries with significant person to person transmission of 2019-nCoV should be avoided.
2. All travellers to SVG from main land China and countries with significant transmission will be isolated in their homes as appropriate for a period of 14 days after departure from China. Public Health Officials will conduct daily monitoring of these individuals.
3. Travellers will be asked by immigration officials about their travel history as part of our heightened surveillance.

In the meantime, the MOHWE urges the public to practice the following routine but effective virus spreading preventative measures by:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
3. Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you do not have a tissue
4. Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms
5. Thoroughly cook meat and eggs before consumption.

“The Ministry of Health will continue to closely monitor the international situation and to tailor our responses based on the advise and guidance of CARPHA and PAHO,” the release said.

On Monday, February 3, 2020, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment will host a press conference at 10:00am to update the public on the novel corona virus and other health related issues. The gathering will be addressed by Hon.Luke Browne, Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment. The technical team will be led by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Simone Keizer-Beache.