Cuban Medical Brigade disembarking at Clyaton J Lloyd International Airport 
A five-member Cuban Medical Brigade is in Anguilla to assist with the coronavirus response as the island moves towards reopening its economy – particularly the tourist industry.
The team of specialists arrived in Anguilla on Friday, June 26, on a five-hour flight – from Cuba – aboard a single-engine aircraft based in St. Barths. They have expertise in infectious medicine, anesthesiology, epidemiology, and nursing. They comprise three doctors and two nurses and are at quarantine facilities for two weeks as part of the normal protocol for persons arriving in Anguilla. The specialists also have to go through a special licensing procedure.
The welcome party included Governor Tim Foy, OBE, and Permanent Secretary Health, Mr. Foster Rogers. The Governor explained that the arrangements for the recruitment of the Cuban Medical Brigade were made with the Government of Cuba by the UK Government through its British Embassy in Havana. He said that the process was remarkably quick and that the members of the Cuban Medical Brigade would be in Anguilla for at least six months or until they were no longer needed.
“It just augments the very good work that is being done by the Health Authority,” he stated. “This is by no means a substitute. It is a supplement if and when it is needed – and that’s critical to our plans to open up the economy, to remove our border restrictions, and to get our tourism going.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Rogers said that a number of Anguillians had already been repatriated from the United Kingdom, the United States, and several Caribbean islands. Many of them have since been tested for COVID-19 and released. A number of others have applied for repatriation – and are being considered as Government and privately-owned quarantine facilities become available.
