ST GEORGE’S – The Grenada government Friday night declared no movement days as well as a daily curfew for the next 14 days as the island seeks to deal with an upsurge in cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has killed four people in as many days and infected a significant number of others.
“This week, four families were thrust into mourning as they lost loved ones to COVID-19, despite the best efforts of the medical team to administer treatment after they were hospitalised for care relating to their positive diagnosis and underlying medical conditions.
“Tonight, I extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. I pray that the Lord strengthens you in your time of grief,” Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said in a radio and television broadcast.
“My friends, this is the sad reality of the COVID-19 pandemic – it comes, not like a thief in the night, but like an acquaintance, who befriends you, then slowly, or in some cases, rapidly begins to take control of your life, smothering the air that you breathe and leaving you lifeless. Harsh, but real.”
Mitchell said effective Saturday, the curfew shall be in force daily from 7.00 pm to 5.00 am (local time) and that from Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 13 as well as September 17 to September 2o.
“During these no-movement days, the Ministry of Health will facilitate greater access to testing and vaccination within communities. No movement will be permitted, except for purposes of testing and vaccination.”
Mitchell also announced that there would be no inter-island travel between Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique during the curfew period.
“Anyone permitted through exemption to travel between the islands must take a Rapid Antigen test before departure,” Mitchell said, adding that the Maurice Bishop International Airport and the commercial ports of entry will remain open.
He said the government is continuing to examine the entry protocols relative to the quarantine period “but it must be appreciated that any decision taken will require advanced notice to travel stakeholders and holiday seekers.
“This we will give in due course,” he said.
Mitchell described the situation here as “dire” and that ‘clearly it cannot be business as usual”. (CMC)
