Persons without PCR results barred from travelling to SVG from the United States

More than 40 of the 140 persons booked to travel to St Vincent and the Grenadines last Saturday, July 25 were not allowed to board the American Airlines flight from Miami because they did not have the required PCR results.

This is as a result of the implementation by local authorities of new protocols for travellers on commercial flights from the United States, which was implemented one week earlier.

Under the new protocols, persons travelling from the US, whether direct or transiting from neighbouring countries, must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result and proof of a reservation in a Tourism Authority/Ministry of Health approved hotel for five nights.

The protocol also said that persons from the US will be tested for COVID-19 before release from the quarantine approved hotel and will continue quarantine in an approved home/facility for a period of nine to 16 days for a total of 14 to 21 days at the discretion of the Port Health Officer.

A release from the National Emergency Management Organisation said “95 of the 140 passengers booked on that flight (AA945) were allowed to board in Miami”.

This means that 45 passengers were unable to board last Saturday’s flight to SVG.

The release said all of the arriving passengers had the required entry screening PCR test and were issued mandatory five-day hotel quarantine instructions.

“Ninety-four persons complied with the order. One person is considered to have broken the quarantine order and has been referred to the Royal St Vincent and The Grenadines Police Force,” NEMO’s release said.

This country currently has 13 active COVID-19 cases. A total of 52 confirmed cases have been recorded to date.