by Linda Straker
- Invitation to shop in Union island completely reckless
- Grenada citizens called upon to break the law by leader of another country
- Grenada has 14 confirmed Covid-19 cases, while St Vincent has 12 and hundreds in quarantine
Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell, has described the invitation for people from Carriacou and Petite Martinique to go shop for food and gas in the Grenadine territory of Union island which is governed by St Vincent and the Grenadines, as completely reckless.
“And I want to say to the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique that if you are having difficulties getting food we can help because we have a lot of it in Union island and you could get to Union island. I want to tell our brothers and sisters that and if you want to get cooking gas we can help you, but let us do it in a structured and organised manner,” Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines said in a ceremony on Friday. At the time he was accepting medical donations from Venezuela.
“It is alarming that our citizens will be called upon to break the law by the leader of another country. It is a grossly irresponsible action that has the potential for not only legal consequences but also poses a significant threat to public health and public safety,” Dr Mitchell said on Saturday, hours after Gonsalves extended the invitation.
In a statement on Saturday, Dr Mitchell, who also serves as Minister for National Security, explained to the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the 2 Grenadines islands that are governed by Grenada, that many countries as part of the strategy to combat Covid-19 have instituted stringent measures, while others have opted for a more relaxed approach, which in some cases have resulted in dire consequences. “In the fluidity of the pandemic, it may be hard to say which is the right or wrong approach, but countries retain a sovereign right to determine what works best and when decisions are made, citizens must abide by the laws of their respective countries. Even in the midst of a pandemic, the law must prevail.”
Grenada presently has 14 confirmed Covid-19 cases, while St Vincent has 12 and hundreds in quarantine.
“My fellow Grenadians, particularly our brothers and sisters in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, do not be misguided into flouting the law of the land. Do not knowingly endanger your health and that of your family. I encourage you to think and act wisely. There is no shortage of food and we are continuously revising our operations to ensure that we optimise the distribution of goods and restocking of grocery stores,” Dr Mitchell said in the statement.
During a news conference last Monday, Dr Mitchell expressed his concern about the decision by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines to keep its borders open while other countries in the region have closed theirs, as part of the strategy to combat the spread of the contagion which as claimed the lives of thousands and infected more than a million worldwide. “I have to speak to that because I have to be concerned about life. I cannot tell the leadership of St Vincent what to do, but if the decision affects the life of the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, I have to be concerned because a lot of people get foodstuffs from St Vincent, therefore one has to be careful.”
Under the Emergency Powers (Covid-19) regulations, Grenada’s borders remain closed to all internal and external travel with a 24-hour mandatory curfew until 20 April.
“Government’s decision to close the borders,” the Prime Minister said, “was taken after careful consideration, given the detrimental impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on countries around the world. It is intended to be a protective barrier to prevent the spread of the virus here in Grenada.”
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The virus is killing hundreds of people around the world and we all do know how easily is spread. Yes you may want to help Mr,Pm but there is right way to go about it and not putting any one safety at risk because those numbers who are infested can grow alot in a few days. So while are looking at the money ,think about the lifes you are putting in danger. If you wanted to help so badly then you should have reach out to Other leader first. You need think about your people because they are one who safety’s mean alot and should come first .CLOSE YOUR BORDERS NO ONE TRAVELING NOW . Everything is on hold for now ,be smart.
More than 150000 people die each normal day in the world. In Italy, the so-called worst hit country in Europe, a normal winter flu easily kills 20000 people. When this is over, covid won’t even register as a blip on the radar. Think about that and stop panicking. Governments worldwide are using the pandemic to install a police state. Dr Gonsalves is trying to help where our own government only cares about controlling us. There’s no reason to close grocery stores, it even harms the people by packing them all together on the same days. No other country in the world does this. It’s about control, not about safety.
What are you talking about bananas? People are finding it hard to find ordinary supermarket foodstuff and you belittle their concerns by referring to bananas? I agreed with your comments to that point.. Quite frankly it sounds racist. The PM should address Carriacouans fears and concerns with a plan and action for their food security in this crisis.
imagine people behaving in such manner under these terrible conditions. whose interest do we have. just ourselves. this virus is no respector of persons. offer effective suggestions and stop the bickering. do you see what can happen to carriacou and Petit Martinique if residents go the st. Vincent, contract the virus and take it back to innocent persons. you behave as though the restrictions are a life time. please bear up and let common sense prevail.
Dr Ralph was only trying to help our own Caribbean neighbors. Remember he said he can do it in a structure way.
We never ask for his help.
I think, if Grenada was doing what they had to for Carriacou and PM, those things would not be happening today. It is lack and neglect that’s at the root of this problem and covid 19 has exposed this weakness.
Its an opportunity to correct that going forward, but persons from the tri isle state should never be treated or seem to be treated differently.
This is a friendly gesture by PM Gonsales, this would be good for Ccou and PM if it could be organized in a good manner as Gonsales mentions. Now as we will face food shortage, this is a good complement. Most of all, thanks for the kind thought now in this dissicult time of curfue.
Needless back and forth between leaders of two sovereign nations……neighbors at that. The world is in crisis for heavens sake! Don’t they have more urgent issues to attend to rather than snap at each other like school boys. Ridiculous!
Just a gentle wake up call for those on the Sister Isles, currently Covid-free. As well as the husband of the first commenter, I’m also an NHS doctor in the UK, working on a small island. I can tell you that at this early stage of the pandemic the death rate from Coronavirus is AT LEAST twice that of viral pneumonia from other causes. ( check out the stories on BBC news or contact me for the source) Your virus-free status will not last long if you shop in St Vincent, and your most vulnerable citizens may die.
Enjoy your bananas.
You are reckless in the extreme!!! You are selfish. If you were the only one infecting your selves no one would argue with what you are saying. But for bananas your are prepared to risk the lives of a whole community!!!! THERE IS PANDEMIC GOING ON and ravaging first world countries…let’s hope you dont need medical help following your shopping trip!!!
You know what else is grossly irresponsible Dr. Mitchell? Letting citizens of your own country starve, even though there’s absolutely no need for it. Open the damn grocery stores. Mortality across Europe is not higher now than during a bad flu season. Nobody was losing their minds in 2017 or 2018 like they are now, even though the death count was higher back then. Euro MOMO. Look it up. Numbers don’t lie.
Couldn‘t agree more. The shopping rules are absolutely ridiculous. Tried to go shopping today. At 7:15 the queue was 200 meters long. At 9:00 I had moved a mere 20 meters, so I gave up.
The government should be forced to do their shopping themselves, that would quickly alter their policy.
It is even clear to a 6th grader that in this manner you cannot supply your people with what they need. It is time for the people of Grenada to Speak up and call the measures for the BS they are.
And what do you want to do next? The virus is a reality like influenza. Grenada is dependent on tourism. Do you want to lock the country for ever?
Welcome to the banana republic.
You can tell when someone is commenting from a very emotional state. There is so many thing wrong with you response I’ll spend too much time addressing it. Here is first of all what’s wrong the manner in which the PM of Saint Vincent offered to help. Also that banana republic comment I really hope you aren’t someone who is actually from the Caribbean and is now fully converted so you speak with an air of superiority. If true would be sad.