SVG confirms 32 new Covid-19 cases, wearing of masks now mandatory

St Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, February 5 confirmed 32 new COVID-19  cases from samples collected between January 26 and February 3, a release from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) said.

“Twelve positives were from samples taken on January 26, four from January 27, nine  from January 28, one from February 1 and six from February 3rd. These cases  were detected during exit screening, contact tracing and testing of persons with flu  symptoms. There are now 1053 local cases of  COVID-19,” the release said.

Twenty-four persons have been cleared bringing the number of total recoveries  to 401. Seven hundred and ninety-eight cases remain  active and three persons with COVID-19 have died. One thousand, two hundred  and two cases of COVID-19 have been reported in St Vincent and the  Grenadines since March 2020. All positive cases will remain isolated until cleared. 

All close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine, should contact the flu  clinic in their district to arrange testing for clearance.  

“The public is advised that the use of masks in public spaces or private spaces to  which the public has access is now mandatory under the Public Health Act 2020.

“Public transportation vehicles may only transport one half of the persons the vehicle  is licensed to carry. These measures are aimed at reducing the potential for any  increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the release said.

The wearing of masks is also now mandatory in public service vehicles.

Another release issued earlier today said these new measures will “commence with the publication of the Statutory Rules and  Orders specific to the ticketing system to be implemented. This publication is  anticipated to occur between today Friday, February 5 and Monday, February 8,  2021. These measures will be in place for four weeks in the first instance.”