National Address by Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister, Grenada
Fellow Grenadians,
I address you yet again, on the serious health challenges presented by the emergence of Covid-19, this time compounded by some incomprehensible behaviour.
Glued to our television screens and other sources of information, we have seen how this pandemic has gripped the world. First in Wuhan, China, then to countries in Europe, to Australia, to the United States – almost every country in the world has reported cases of this virus. Yet we seem not to fully grasp the magnitude of the threat before us.
We have seen in the most graphic detail how healthcare systems in the most developed and advanced countries of the world have been falling apart and collapsing under the weight of this virus. Still, some of us fail to recognise or appreciate the gravity of the situation facing us.
We have witnessed dozens of patients lying in corridors in hospitals in Spain, and some of us continue with business as usual. Hundreds dying in Italy; funerals suspended, and the army called in to remove bodies…but some of us totally ignore this eventuality.
Fellow Grenadians, our country is facing this unprecedented public health threat.
On Sunday, we discovered our first laboratory confirmed case of Covid-19. The patient is now stable, and the healthcare officials continue to monitor her condition.
The implication of this disease in our population is that urgent and immediate action is required to identify and curb the spread.
In our attempt to do so, we have closed our borders. Our Ministry of Health has called for a change in our cultural and social practices; introduced measures like social distancing; and appealed to the reasoning of people’s consciousness.
Sadly, dear citizens, many have ignored these appeals. Grenadians returning home, and other visitors to our shores, have failed to comply with the voluntary requests to self-quarantine; and people can be seen up and down the country, carrying on as though these are normal times; but they are not.
At this stage, with the presence of the disease circulating within the population, and based on medical scientific projections, if we fail to give effect to the serious steps required to contain, curtail, identify and isolate this virus, Grenada will pay a significant price.
Moreover, many are using this crisis as an opportunity to play politics, or to peddle rumour, thus causing unnecessary fear and panic among the population. Sisters and brothers, this is not the time. There are no heroes in war; and make no mistake, this is a war, and the enemy is Covid-19.
Again, I urge you to listen only to the official sources such as the Government of Grenada, and in particular, the Ministry of Health, for your regular updates. Friends, as a government, we have nothing to gain, and everything to lose, by withholding critical information from you, the general public.
No one is immune to this disease. That is why we must all act and react responsibly.
Against that backdrop, fellow citizens, I am compelled to recommend the declaration of a limited State of Emergency, in order to give the medical authorities the necessary mechanism by which we can enforce stemming the community spread of the Covid-19 virus.
In this regard, therefore, I am asking the Governor-General to declare a limited State of Emergency in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, for the next 21 days.
This will take effect from 6 pm today, and will put a limit on a wide range of normal activities.
Citizens will be allowed, between the hours of 5 am and 7 pm, to leave their homes only to conduct certain designated activities.
In the United Kingdom, where the disease is now galloping at a significant pace, and from where our first case and most other cases now in the Caribbean have come, there are now limitations and new sweeping powers given to the police. The restrictions there call for everyone to avoid contact as much as possible.
What we are doing in Grenada is nothing less; but necessary in the battle against this dreadful disease.
Friends, these measures are not meant to punish anyone, but they are designed to ensure that this disease does as little damage as possible, to the Grenadian people and the Grenadian economy.
Sisters and brothers, I recognise and call on the religious community in our midst, who have constantly held us up, as a nation. Now more than ever, we need your spiritual guidance and your prayers. We need words of grace to cover our nation and people.
Sometime during the next 21 days, the entire nation should be called to prayer, at an assigned date and time, whether we are at home or work. I leave it to our religious leaders to design the modalities, and I thank them in advance, for their guidance.
Brothers and sisters, before closing, I must salute all the healthcare workers in our country: doctors, nurses, orderlies, maintenance workers, cooks, cleaners, administrators — all those who work in the medical industry, and who are at the frontline of this fight.
I thank and recognise the many volunteers: the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross, the Cadet Corps, and all those who have rallied to ensure, in some way, that Covid-19 is contained, and ultimately defeated.
I also thank the rank and file of our armed forces, who at this time, have the difficult task of maintaining law and order.
I recognise the frontline workers in the other sectors who served and those who continue to serve our population in the various economic sectors
I call on each and every citizen to be responsible, patriotic and cooperative.
Regulations will be announced immediately after this address, and I urge the general public to pay close attention and to observe the restrictions outlined.
Let us all do our part to keep ourselves and the rest of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique safe.
I thank you.
The official gazette states that the order is effective 25/03 – 1/04 which is seven days not 21. Can this be clarified so that people can plan accordingly.
Thank you Dr. Keith Mitchell. and May God Bless Grenada.. Cover your People Lord. Here. There and Every Where… Shields Of Favor Up.!!!
Well done Dr Mitchell the right thing to do. Grenadians stay safe and God bless you.
Cathy H-P
Grenadians, listen up! You cannot afford to have COVID-19 on Grenada. Listen to your PM and take the necessary steps to keep it out. I ‘m Grenadian by birth and Canadian citizen. Canada is locked down, we are ordering groceries on line and having it left at the door. This virus is spreading like forest fires. Take heed, this is world wide, listen to your medical authority and your PM. Stay safe and God bless.
Mr Mitchell,
Sorry but this is not a lock down, restricting peoples movements within 5am-7 pm, will have little if any effect on the spread of covid19.
I recently returned back to the UK and am still in shock as to how this deadly virus is spreading so quickly. The NHS is already under considerable pressure to cope and it is predicted that things are going to get alot worse before they get better.I have left behind family that were unable to leave the island of carriacou due to flight cancellations. I am petrified for my family and fellow Grenadians.
If this virus takes hold of the Country as it has others, i cannot begin to explain the devastation it will cause. Please look again at what you have in place and i appeal to you to increase these safety measures.
Yes this will put a strain on the economy, but if we do not ensure the people survive what good will be the economy.
I have never truly had any respect for Mr. Mitchell but in the last few days he has grudgingly earned my respect, I wish that St. Vincent, Dominica and Barbados would take heed before it is too late though
He is right!!! We are dying like flies in USA and we have a good medical system. They can’t keep up. This is very serious and people need to listen. If this spreads in this tiny country with poor medical care it could wipe it off the face of the Earth!! I love Grenada listen up are what’s going on in the world it’s no joke.
I admire the leadership of PM Mitch, he has gone to the full extent of what’s possible in keeping his people safe.
Its now left to all rhe people, rich poor, black white, haves and have not to do what has to be done. On the same boat for the same cause. Love to grenz.
As a Grenadian and U S Citizen, am begging you all to take this serious I live in NEW YORK AND IT’S BAD
I dont think it could be any clearer than that. This is very very serious. Let’s all do our bit to keep us all safe.
Thanks, honorable sir. What are the designated activities? To buy food and medicine? For solitary exercise? To work in essential services?
Dear Grenadians
Please listen to your Priminister,I am in my 73rd year and have been visiting your beautiful island since 1988 and have just returned to England which is being ravaged by this awful virus. Don’t like us leave it to late to avoid many deaths ,you can save yourselves.
I pray I am spared so I can once again walk Grand Anse and watch the Frigates sore overhead.
God bless and save you all