So far, Anguilla has seen some 22 cases of positive COVID-19 cases – with no community spread, fortunately. The general public might have already had basic knowledge of Anguilla’s COVID-19 testing system, but the Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, with responsibility for tourism, recently provided information with regard to visitors’ tests and the protocols of the ‘bubble’.
She made her comments in the most recent Government press briefing held on Monday, March 22nd, and said that she was making the points clear because persons are questioning how
the last two visitors, who recently tested positive, could become infected when indeed they did test negative prior to their arrival as well as upon arrival. She explained:
“What is required to get into Anguilla, from a tourist standpoint, is a pre-entry test 3 to 5 days prior to arrival, a test upon arrival, and a third test after fourteen days in quarantine, or if the visitor is leaving. It means then, that a person is not fully considered negative on his or her pre-arrival test, nor are he or she considered fully negative on his or her arrival test. The visitor is only considered COVID-19 free on the third test after 14 days, or if he or she decides to leave the island prior to the expiration of their 14-day quarantine.
“These tests relate to the protocols of the ‘bubble’ that is provided for the accommodation of our visitors. We are ensuring that persons abide by these protocols to keep all persons in the ‘bubble’ safe.”
Mrs. Gumbs-Marie continued: “It is important to follow through with these protocols that were created. These protocols were not wholly and solely created by the government, but they were created in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, the individual properties, restaurants, and service providers. If these protocols are not followed, they undermine the effectiveness of the ‘bubble’. This is why we would find some persons testing positive after their pre-arrival test, because that test does not allow a person to move freely into the general public, and it does not say to anyone interacting with that person that the person who roams about is completely free of COVID-19. Where applicable, any breaches to the protocols of the ‘bubble’ should be reported.”
She assured the public that all breaches reported have been followed up, and any reported breaches in the future will be duly dealt with. “If a person commits a breach of the ‘bubble’ protocol, or any kind of quarantine breach, the law shall intervene in the matter,” she said. “If you are a service provider or a property or restaurant owner, and you encourage a visitor to breach the protocols, you can lose your license.”
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned that these stipulations are in the regulations and they have been shared with all persons in the industry. She insisted that she is encouraging all service providers and property managers to ensure that the applicable protocols are followed at all times.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
