LIAT resumes services to Dominica

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC –The regional airline, LIAT, Saturday resumed services to Dominica, one day  after it was forced to suspend its flights to the island and Guadeloupe because of ash coming from the volcano in Montserrat.

LIAT said in a statement that the authorities in the French island of Guadeloupe have taken a decision to keep the airport closed until Sunday because the runway covered with a significant amount of volcanic ash.

The airline said that it would continue to assess the situation and will provide further updates as necessary.

Scientists monitoring the Sourfriere Hills Volcano said Friday that activity had subsided following a collapse of the lava dome that sent ash billowing up to 40,000 feet into the air and disrupted flights across the Eastern Caribbean.

Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) Dr Paul Cole told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that during the 24 hours since the largest event at the volcano in four years, activity has been at a “very low level”.

The John A Osborne Airport on the island was closed temporarily following the event.

Meanwhile, Dominica’s Health Minister Julius Timothy has told citizens that they should not panic after the ash covered the island following the collapse of the volcanic dome at the Soufriere Hills volcano in Montserrat.

“We do not want any panic. This is not a panic situation. If you don’t have a mask, you are not going to die. The people of Montserrat have been living with this for a very long time. Just manage yourself properly. If you don’t have a mask you won’t die,” he said.

The Casualty Department at the Princess Margaret Hospital is reported to have treated several persons as a result of the circulating volcanic ash and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Johnson urged members of the public to take measures to protect themselves.

Dr. Johnson said that persons suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic lung conditions are most at risk for developing symptoms from volcanic asphalts.

He said the symptoms of irritation from ash include short breath; tightness of chest; chest pains; itching, drying and burning sensation of the eyes, nose and nostrils; wheezing; dry cough; runny nose; and swelling or tearing of the eye and runny nose.

“Food handlers are advised not to prepare food in open areas and to keep food covered at all times. People, whose source of water is from the roof, should disconnect the source and ensure that the roof and guttering is cleaned before reconnection. Avoid using brooms and dry dusting,” he said.