by Linda Straker
- CDC advised US citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Grenada
- Under Grenada’s health protocol and classification, the US falls in the High risk or Red Zone destination
- With a population of 110,000 Grenada at present has no active Covid-19 cases
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has listed Grenada as a high risk country for Covid-19 exposure and transmission, and has advised US citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the island.
As a level 3 destination, the national public health institute in the United States whose ranking is based on 100,000 population ratio, has informed US citizens that the risk in Grenada is high especially for those who have other severe illness such as cancer, diabetes, sickle cell and heart conditions.
Grenada with a population of 110,000 at present has no active Covid-19 cases because all 24 cases have been declared medically recovered.
“CDC recommends travellers avoid all nonessential international travel to Grenada. Travellers at increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19 should consider postponing all travel, including essential travel, to Grenada,” said the advisory which was uploaded to the CDC website on 6 August 2020 via the link https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-grenada
“If you get sick in Grenada and need medical care, resources may be limited,” said the advisory which recommends that US citizens check with the Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health of Grenada or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travellers, such as mandatory testing or quarantine.
Explaining that some examples of essential travel may include travelling for humanitarian aid work, medical reasons, or family emergencies, the advisory said that older adults, people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions, and others at increased risk for severe illness should consider postponing all travel, including essential travel, to Grenada.
Mostly all other Caricom members and territories in the Americas with the exception Dominica are listed at risk countries for the disease which has infected millions in the US and caused the death of more 150,000.
Under Grenada’s health protocol and classification, the US falls in the High risk or Red Zone destination and all persons arriving from the US must undergo both rapid and PCR Covid-19 test and to 14 days mandatory quarantine.
Health officials are yet to publicly comment on the CDC ranking.
I want someone to tell me, if we have no cases of covid how could we be a high risk destination. Come clean CD, it sounds rather contŕadictory, and also could limit the interest of people whiching to visit the island .
This travel advisory by the CDC seems a little strange regarding the Covid risk.
The advice on the medical facilities is a reasonable comment to advise their citizens, but not a reason to rank the island high risk for Covid.
Suppose other lower risk countries pick up on the CDC rating and do the same thing, any chance of encouraging some sensible tourism activity might be reduce or become non existent for incorrect date being put out on Grenada
Does the CDC know where is Grenada?
Every european Country put USA on the red list…
I take high risk to mean lets not release Corona to the populace because we cannot handle it. Individuals in the USA please stay there or ensure you practice protocols if the trip is essential. Thanks!
-110,000 Grenadians
I have to agree. If we allow travel from high risk countries, there is a high likelihood of a Corona-19 Viral surge , Grenadians will not survive. If foreigners get critically ill, Grenada does not have the healthcare infrastructure to successfully care for these cases. Prevention is better than cure in this instant. Be discerning and be vigilant. This too shall pass.
I have been saying this how long. Finnaaaallyyy i see others agree. I really just couldn’t understand those making issue about their vacation and hotel bookings. This is life or death and Grenada CANNOT handle and outbreak. We already see covid detected from a recent US flight. Entry numbers are small now; can you imagine how many with covid may slip in of people start coming in droves?
Thank you Susan Bowen.
I find this article very contradicting. If Grenada has no cases of COVID-19, why is the countrya high risk to travel to. I could see on the United States being high risk to travell regarding our COVID-19 numbers.
Contradicting and fishy
This post seems kind of strange since yesterday the CDC lifted the ban on international travel.
That’s like saying ‘stop testing as it will show more cases’…really? This post is contradictory to the fact that we have no cases but yet high risks? High risk how? If all the necessary precautions are taken, testing is done along with14 days quarantine then what’s the issue for international travel? Seem like the issue is within the Caribbean region itself with the flexibility on its borders as a fisherman could take a boat from neighboring islands and come through our shores at any given time undetected from countries with existing cases. The restrictions are harsh and heavy on US citizens and international travel through non of their fault especially since it’s at their expense. So where is the high risk exposure? Dont get it….
I am a retiree I lived in New York for a while ,I am a native of Grenada,my moms is 94 yrs old I am trying to get into Grenada since March to help take care of her how will I get there
Go to Canada and fly in from there…. Air Canada is coming in…..
Nah nah Canada not letting anything or anyone in, we want to get rid or get this COVID-19 under control we don’t need Americans coming here and messing up our progress, that’s why the borders are still closed leu the us get their shit to gather
There is a Jet Blue charter flight leaving next week, check this number for more info 19175087203!!
According to the CDC website, Level 3 advisory means reconsider travel and provides the following explanation for the rating “Travelers to Grenada may experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within Grenada due to COVID-19. Grenada is not allowing commercial passenger flights to and from the United States. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Grenada.”
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/grenada-travel-advisory.html
So we get that rating based on our healthcare system then?
Seems a little harsh since we have zero active cases… they might as well tell Americans with health issues not to leave the country period…..
Smh. I remember saying this in a post about a month ago. Diaspora and visitors were upset with the entry regulations and quarreling about being booked for coming to Grenada and our regulations will turn people away. I remember saying we don’t have good health care and must take all precautions to prevent an outbreak that will leave us in a dire situation. But some were selfish and could only see their vacation money and if they will get refunded. I remember saying non-nationals have a plan B and their country officials could fly them out (like what happened with SGU) and it will be us citizens left to deal with the mess they brought for us under a poor health system that offers no hope for survival of an outbreak…….
Maybe now that the CDC said it, they might listen to them. Let’s see.