The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday dismissed as FALSE, a Social Media Article posted by THE NEW TODAY NEWSPAPER, on (02/21/2020), that claimed a plane carrying Chinese Nationals landed at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) in the (wee hours of Friday morning).
Health Officials, Port-health, Immigration and Airport Authorities all confirmed to the GIS that a private aircraft did land at the airport around 1:00 a.m. but there were NO CHINESE nationals on that aircraft, contrary to a false report by the local newspaper in its e-publication.
Keville Frederick, the Public Information and Communications Officer at the Ministry of Health told GIS, that the multi-stakeholder response team at the airport followed standard protocols, which are aligned with the Government’s efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), surveillance and monitoring protocols in response to the Coronavirus (COVID19).
“The flight in question did not originate from China, and all of the passengers and crew on board that aircraft were screened, interviewed and had their travel history checked and verified by the relevant parties managing the response,” explained Frederick.
“We have absolutely nothing to hide, because our protocols are approved and sanctioned by the WHO, PAHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA,” said Frederick.
“So to say that a plane carrying Chinese nationals landed at our airport in the wee hours of the morning amounts to rumour-mongering: And listening and reading public comments tells me that the article did in fact stir unnecessary public fear, said Frederick who is the CARPHA/PAHO Risk Communication Focal Point on the island.
Since the Grenada Government activated its response protocols, in reaction to the (COVID19), there has been ongoing communication with various stakeholders in Grenada and the region.
Meanwhile, acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Martin reiterated that the risk to Grenada and its citizens like other countries in the region remains LOW.
However, Dr. Martin used the opportunity to address the issue of discrimination. “This virus epidemic is not about Chinese people but exposure to the virus by travel”.
