by Linda Straker
- Antigen testing accepted within 24 hours of arrival to Grenada
- PCR testing within 72 hours of arrival will continue
- Books will not be used to contact persons who may be exposed
Grenada has made some significant changes to its entry protocols and Covid-19 regulations as the Ministry of Health along with the Covid-19 task force, adopting measures that will create a balance between saving lives and livelihoods.
“Our entry protocol will now be accepting antigen testing within 24 hours of arrival to Grenada and will continue with PCR testing within 72 hours of arrival. So that change will be antigen testing within 24 hours,” announced Dr Tyhiesia Donald, Acting Chief Medical Officer, during the Tuesday, 15 February 2022, Post-Cabinet briefing.
“I know that this is a very good change for persons in the diaspora because PCR is very difficult to access, and it has been a problem. A lot of flights have been cancelled because of the inability to get results on time. Therefore, with this new testing we expect persons will be very happy and we will have more arrivals coming to Grenada,” she said.
With regards to contact tracing, she said that the virus is everywhere because of community spread, and as a result, the books are no longer used to contact persons who may be exposed. “We thought it will be necessary to have a stop to this. When you go to the supermarkets you no longer have to sign in,” she said.
What will happen now is that individuals will continue to have their temperature checked, and where it’s required, vaccination status cards will also be presented.
Dr Donald also announced that passengers arriving via the Maurice Bishop International Airport will not be treated differently to those who are arriving via cruise ships. All passengers entering Grenada must be vaccinated, but those entering via cruise ships are not allowed to socialise outside of the tourism bubble.
“For all tourists whether you enter by sea or air you are free to walk around and experience our attractions sites,” she announced.
Health Minister Nickolas Steele said that the new measures go into effect immediately.
Where is the antigen test available and is it less expensive than PCR?
So true!
With the flight length and time difference an antigen test will not help so much unless it is 24 hours from getting on the flight to Grenada or 36 hours before arrival in Grenada
‘… create a balance between saving lives and livelihoods’ Haha you forgot to add ’votes in time for election’ This whole thing was about control. As someone said, Omricom is no worse than the common flu and provides that added immunity to other variants. We need a new party to lead this country now!
As a RN Nurse, we just arrived on Sunday to Grenada and it ‘s my place of birth.We follow the protocol Grenada have in place and also we are vaccinated even with our booster shot, we just got back from Iceland and Switzerland where my husband from and each country we travel we follow it protocol.
We all have to remember this viruses is still among us, all and why would anyone put their guard down, it’s better to protect our lives , wearing our mask, hand washing etc. Than be six feet underground.
Yes we want to live our life, but why not do it in a safe manner. And does humans life, better than making money, but that what going on around us , today as many country still scrambling to stay afloat.
Was it really necessary to mention your occupation and your european hubby’s country of birth…What has this got to do with the new entry protocol.??
Me – RN and African Caribbean, hubby from Grenada!
So do we still have to wear masks, it does not mention anything about that ??
Just open up, the current variant of Covid is no worse than a common cold and provides immunity to anything worse. In England cases are falling rapidly and they have definitely turned a corner. The Antigen and PCR tests are a money making racket.
Confusing…. to say the least
Isn’t that ‘slightly’ contradictory? If those entering via cruise ships are not allowed to socialise outside of the tourism bubble, how can they be “free to walk around and experience our attractions sites”? So out of curiosity…. does that mean locals now have to schedule when we visit our own attractions?
Can some one travel to St Vincent and comeback same day do only one PCR test??
These are two different countries, but I suppose due to the timeframe, if St. Vincent has the same covid policies as Grenada, I don’t see why not.