Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran today said that there are stringent restrictions on entry to Guyana of persons who may present a threat to the health of the nation via the Ebola virus.
Observers say the statement would imply that visitors from affected countries would be carefully evaluated before being allowed to enter the country.
His statement styled as a clarification comes in the wake of questions on whether there would be an outright ban by Guyana on entry to nationals from the West African countries seriously affected by the Ebola virus: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The outbreak is said to be under control in Nigeria and Senegal.
The question of whether Guyana would ban these persons arose after St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia this week announced outright bans on these persons. The Jamaica Gleaner today reported that St Kitts-Nevis has also imposed a ban.
Ramsaran’s statement follows:
CLARIFICATION ON EBOLA SITUATION REGARDING ENTRY OF WEST AFRICANS INTO GUYANA
The Ministry of Health would like to clarify and reassure that there are stringent restrictions on entry to Guyana by persons who may pose a threat to the health of the Nation by the importation of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) particularly regarding citizens of and visitors to West African countries where the disease is currently raging and represents a Public Health Threat of International Concern.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) from the first proclamation by Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director, initiated its national EVD Response. The MOH has maintained vigilance since and will continue and expand as needed the multi-agency work already started to protect Guyana from this disease.
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF THE ST LUCIAN PRIME MINISTER
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR EBOLA COUNTRIES
Given the extent of the outbreak of Ebola affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has advised the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Vernon Francois, to implement with immediate effect, a prohibition on persons from these countries who wish to travel to Saint Lucia. All visitors from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone will be denied entry into Saint Lucia until further notice.
Despite the fact that the President of Nigeria has declared that Nigeria is Ebola free, visitors from Nigeria will be required to present a recent medical certificate which clears him/her of the virus, in addition to a VISA to be allowed entry into Saint Lucia.
The Prime Minister says, the Government of Saint Lucia continues to monitor the outbreak and has allocated resources to prepare for any possible threat. Recent events in Dallas, Texas have prompted a heightened awareness and necessitate strong action to ensure that Saint Lucia is protected.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor developments in the United States and Europe, the three severely affected West African countries and will provide updates to the public.
