Anguilla, which has been successfully battling the COVID-19 virus since its manifestation around the world in March 2020, notwithstanding the island’s effective dealing with a cluster outbreak recently, has now taken a bold move forward. Anguilla was partially reopened before, but this July 1 date is regarded as a major step forward in reopening the island.
“This is a major step in our reopening, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, said in a statement in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Monday, June 28. “It is one that I am very excited about. We are aware, though, that vaccinated persons can still be carriers of the virus and contract the virus with the risk of serious illness and death…
“With the introduction of the new Delta strain, which may become the dominant strain in the US by the end of July, we have to be vigilant. And by vigilant I mean we have to continue mask-wearing, social distancing, frequent hand-washing and vaccinate.”
The Parliamentary Secretary continued: “The Delta Variant is dominating countries because of its ease of transmission. Research has suggested that the more transmissible nature of this variant is due to the mutations of the virus surface allowing it to more easily attach itself to our cells.
“Madam Speaker, I cannot stress the importance of vaccination. We have to vaccinate. Vaccination is nothing new, and ensuring that each person residing in Anguilla has access to the vaccine has been a major priority of this administration.
“While across the world there are persons dying because they cannot access the vaccine – Anguilla, like other British Overseas Territories, has benefitted from our constitutional relationship with the United Kingdom Government. To further explain how blessed and well-positioned we are, consider this: Anguillians have received quicker access to the vaccines than British citizens in the United Kingdom. And we were determined not to let them go to waste. Where persons were sick and shut-in, we have found them. We have driven around the communities across Anguilla, brought vaccination into grocery store parking lots, and other areas where persons gather – and provided drive through vaccination in the midst of a cluster outbreak. And our administering nurses have sacrificed long hours to ensure that we have access. For this, we thank them.”
Mrs. Gumbs-Marie further said: “On July 31st our current vaccines will expire. But, Madam Speaker, I am pleased to share that we have secured second doses for every person who received their first dose before July 31st.
“To be clear, Madam Speaker, any person who received their first dose before July 31st, is guaranteed a second dose. This batch will also include coverage for persons turning 18 before September.
“At any time where countries are considering to possibly charge for the vaccines, we have access and coverage available to us right now. Little Anguilla was amongst the first in the world to issue sophisticated vaccination cards where persons can access their vaccination records by simply scanning a QR code. That is a tremendous advantage that all persons vaccinated in Anguilla can benefit from.”
