Anguilla introduces new preventive measures to safeguard local resident and visitor population

The Valley, Anguilla, March 19, 2020…… H.E. The Governor and The Hon. Premier issued a Joint Statement regarding Covid-19, emphasizing the Government’s unwavering commitment to protect the safety and well-being of all residents.
There have been no cases of the COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) in Anguilla to date. However in light of the most recent global developments, the following additional and new preventive measures at the ports of entry were approved at a special meeting of the Executive Council to guard against the threat of an imported case.

All non-essential travel for public servants has been suspended for 30 days. In addition, residents of Anguilla are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary travel overseas at this time.

• Anguilla has an isolation area at the hospital to deal with suspected cases and additional infrastructural improvements are being finalized this week. Plans are underway for a small isolation unit in the medium to longer term.
• A 24-hour emergency hotline has been established.
  Anguilla’s Ministry of Health is conducting an aggressive and expanded national campaign on respiratory hygiene as the main preventive/containment with a strategic focus on the tourism sector and children in addition to the general public, utilizing radio, jingles and PSA’s and social media.
  The Ministry emphasizes that regardless of the evolution of the current situation the following basic principles reduce the risk of transmission of several respiratory infections including coronavirus:
• Frequent handwashing especially after contact with ill persons and their environments.
• Covering of coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or in the crook of a flexed elbow.
• Avoiding contact with persons suffering from or exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as the flu, coughs, and colds. Ensuring that shared spaces and work surfaces are cleaned and disinfected frequently.

Limiting physical contact with others, including no handshakes or physical greeting and to avoid crowds.

For more general information and updates please visit the official websites of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and CARPHA: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 http://carpha.org/What-We-Do/Public-Health/Novel-Coronavirus

For information specific to Anguilla please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SocialDevelopmentAnguilla/