COVID-19 Update 19/21

FROM H.E. THE GOVERNOR AND THE HON. PREMIER

Today, 22 October, the Premier and I are at the new Valley Health Complex, one of the Anguilla Programme’s key infrastructure projects. The complex represents a significant investment to ensure the resilience of Anguilla’s primary health care provision and protections for years to come.

The vaccine programme also represents significant investment in protecting the health and vitality of Anguilla. We need to move forward in learning to live with Covid-19. Vaccination is critical to the prevention and control of infectious diseases such as Covid-19. The scientific data indicates that unvaccinated individuals are at greatest risk to severe symptoms of Covid-19.

As part of our continued efforts to maintain your protections, we have secured the Pfizer vaccine to extend our programme to:

• all 12-17 year olds;

• those who have yet to be vaccinated; and

• booster shots for those who are already vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Covid-19 is usually mild in most children, but it can make some children unwell. The Covid-19 vaccine will help protect your child against getting seriously ill. Vaccinating children will also help manage the spread of Covid-19 to vulnerable family members and others within the community, including within schools and households – where the vast majority of our cases are now appearing. Millions of children around the world already have had a Covid-19 vaccine. The independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) based in the UK has confirmed the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective for children 12 years and older.

Similarly, a booster vaccine dose will provide longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from Covid-19. Boosters will be delivered in a phased roll out based on age. The Ministry of Health will be shortly provide further detail on the arrangements.

Entryprotocols

Covid-19 will not become a thing of the past. Like our neighbours and the rest of the world we must learn to live with it and return to normalcy. Yesterday, 21 October, Executive Council agreed to the following amendments to our entry regime for all fully vaccinated arrivals – whether a visitor or returning resident:

From 01November2021

Pre-arrivalRequirements:

• All visitors 18 years and older excluding pregnant women must be fully vaccinated*;

• A negative Covid-19 test will still be required to enter but you must now take the test no less than 2 – 5 days prior to arrival in Anguilla;

• Acceptable test types are:

• Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction tests (RT-PCR);
• Nucleic Acid Amplification tests (NAA);
• RNA or molecular test and; and
• Antigen tests completed via a nasopharyngeal swab.

• The laboratory that process your pre-arrival test must be accredited. Self-administered home tests and antibody tests will not be accepted; and

• Application for entry through the online portal which will include on arrival testing fee of US$50 per person.

Onarrival:

• You will be tested on arrival and will be required to stay in place while your test is processed (usually within 24 hours); using only certified transport to travel to your accommodation; and

• If your test result is negative there will be no quarantine requirement; however returning residents and visitors staying in Anguilla for more than 8 days, may be required to undertake a day four test.

The 10 day quarantine requirement and existing fee structure for unvaccinated returning residents or vaccinated returning residents with unvaccinated minors will continue to be in place.

Let us also take this opportunity to remind you the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces is currently mandated in public health regulations with a penalty for breaches. Additionally, those living in multigenerational households and households with unvaccinated persons should consider mask wearing inside the homes in addition to hygienic precautions. This is especially crucial in cases where persons are experiencing symptoms, regardless of how mild.

In addition to minimizing the number of people gathering in your home, private indoor social gatherings involving unvaccinated minors such as sleepovers and parties are strongly discouraged at this time.

Vaccination remains the most effective measure to protecting your health, the health of your loved ones and the health of our nation. We therefore implore you to take advantage of the position we are in and to get vaccinated, or take your booster dose. The Ministry of Health will publish guidance and information at www.beatcovid19.ai

May God bless you and may God continue to bless Anguilla.

END

* Definition of fully vaccinated is three weeks after receiving your second dose. Mixed vaccines are accepted but must be a variation of Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna