Minister taking cue from public health experts
Article by December 30, 2020
Minister of Health Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic has blanked the recommendation by the nation’s doctors’ body to raise the coronavirus quarantine to seven days.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that the ministry will continue to be guided by the science, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Last week, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) called on Government to increase the quarantine period from five days to seven days for travellers coming from the medium to high-risk jurisdictions.
The BAMP statement read: “Travellers from all high to medium-risk countries should present a negative PCR test on arrival and undergo quarantine for a minimum of five days after arrival and up to seven days depending on assessment of pre-travel risk of exposure. Release from quarantine should be dependent on obtaining a negative P
Maldives to begin COVID-19 vaccination in early 2021 The Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has announced that mass vaccination against COVID-19 will begin in the Maldives during the first quarter of 2021.
In a press conference held Thursday by HEOC, the centre’s Spokesperson Dr Nazla Rafeeq said the government is working to obtain the vaccines at the earliest. Dr. Nazla said the COVAX facility led by the World Health Organization (WHO), which works for global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, has accepted the Maldives’ application to receive vaccines, and has provided the letter of acceptance.
“The easiest route to obtain the safest and most effective vaccine is through the COVAX facility. The application submitted by the Maldives to receive the vaccine has been accepted by the facility,” said Nazla.