St Vincent bans nationals from three West African States due to Ebola

ebola-disease1St Vincent and the Grenadines has placed a ban on nationals from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea entering the island, as Caribbean countries continue to put in place measures to deal with a possible outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the region.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that the measure was taken given the lack of infrastructure on the island to deal with the Ebola virus for which there is no known cure.

Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea are the three West African countries most affected by the Ebola virus.

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41 Comments

  1. Pure
    October 16, 2014

    LMFAO…Days after Nigeria was declared ebola free..They stopped Flavour from coming..Now Ebola is in EUrope and US let us see what is gonna happen…Now Nigeria is free of ebola, no flavor is coming anymore, no worries about Nigerian students… Now how about Americans and the Europeans who are coming in, Ross University students, and will be coming for the Tourist season… Because there are not from Africa..They are not black??… lmfao…Racism and discrimination is not only among white and black,it is found among our own black people especially the foolish and ignorance ones..Ebola is not a racist!!!!!

  2. Anonymous
    October 16, 2014

    stopthe world creole music festival for this year,…

  3. Ma Moses
    October 16, 2014

    My God, how long has the OECS been in existence? Now we are seeing such disparate policies on fighting this ebola threat, every island doing its own thing. Can’t we even agree on a common approach to this lethal threat? You think thaht virus can distinguish between Dominica, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and so on? What does that say about this lofty idea of free movement? Honestly, I do despair sometimes about our leaders strutting like roosters in a small coop, one trying to outdo the other. This is seriouss tuff , let’s unite at least on this one!

  4. grell
    October 16, 2014

    Mr.Gonsalves hats of to you to protect your citizens and being honest.Not the idiots we have here in Dominica.Every country has the right to ban these nationals if they feel peoples lives are @ risk.Skerrit take a stand forget the politics.Timothy came with this joke that they are prepared my foot.The Pmh,can barely treeat a common infection is ebola you are prepared for.

    • dafriend
      October 16, 2014

      Skerrit will do the same, the only problem is he will do it when it is to late. Mr. Gonsalves is a proactive man that clearly understands what potential threat this virus can pose to the entire region. However, Skerrit is still sleeping…he has not noticed the seriousness of this as yet. He is busy writing more speeches to fool and insult Dominicans.

  5. Bushmaninad
    October 16, 2014

    I understand the sentiment, but this travel ban pointed at nationals from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea is merely window dressing. First of all the ban, as per the DNO story, does not include Liberia. As it now stands Liberia has over 3,800 cases, by far the largest number in west Africa. Nigeria on the other hand had 20 cases, 8 died and the others have recovered. WHO has declared Nigeria Ebola free. So is this ban well thought out. I do not think so. A more effective solution to the Ebola threat would be to provide for symptom monitoring of all arrivals. A basic temperature reading of the passenger is more effective than determining his nationality. As far as cost is concerned, temperature monitoring devices are affordable. After 911 all Caribbean airports, under pressure from the US, found the funds to install new and high tech equipment to search bags and scan passengers. Protocols that requires us to remove our shoes and put away our tooth paste were established to ensure our security. Well now is the time to upgrade the protocol by adding human temperature sensing. This too, is for our security. Looking at someone’s passport is not the best was to stop Ebola or any of the other more deadly viruses that are come. In matters such as these our leaders must seek real solutions and not merely attempt placate the desire for a solution.

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/07/28/ebola-virus-deadly-africa-outbreak/13260541/

    • Not too wise
      October 16, 2014

      Well said.

      • Pure
        October 16, 2014

        Well Said…Days after Nigeria was declared ebola free..They stopped Flavour from coming..Now Ebola is in EUrope and US let us see what is gonna happen…Now Nigeria is free of ebola, no flavor is coming anymore, no worries about Nigerian students… Now how about Americans and the Europeans who are coming in, Ross University students, and will be coming for the Tourist season… Because there are not from Africa..They are not black??… lmfao…Racism and discrimination is not only among white and black,it is found among our own black people especially the foolish and ignorance ones..Ebola is not a racist!!!!!

  6. john Doe
    October 16, 2014

    Skirrett must go, and he will go. That man is not a leader. Change is a must.

  7. October 16, 2014

    I’m not all together sure that what ST.Lucia and ST.Vincent have done will work.It might slow it down from getting to their shores because at the rate that people are moving about,from one place to another,it’s really tricky.
    It’s by far better to tackle these diseases from the epicenter,where it started.
    In 1997 there was an out break of this same Ebola disease in Uganda.And due to the heavy handedness of the authorities there,by way of strict rules concerning the quarantine patients,they were able to eradicate it.
    And so, that should have been the measure taken this time around but it was allowed to get out of hand.
    With that said,the news coming out of most of the American news rooms are very much watered down and to some degree shady.And whilst yes,they may not want to scare the public,the truth remains the truth and it will not change
    (1) None of the three affected West African countries have the disease under control.Listen to the European news and the Doctor’s without boarders keep saying that even up to this very day.It’s spreading faster than they can really catch up to it.They also expect the death toll to double what it stands at right now ,between now and January.
    (2) From scientific research the virus does attach itself to the
    lungs and can be spread through coughing and sneezing droplets.The researchers made their findings known but the CDC and the United Nation said, do not mention it to the public.
    So it’s not all the news that’s coming out of the U.S. one
    can depend on.
    The problem in the U.S. It’s not that they can’t handle the situation.The problem there is money(greed) that’s what they see first,in the middle and behind.
    In the dollar(god) we trust…
    And with that, I must end with my favorite statement.
    Whatever will be ..will be…

  8. king
    October 16, 2014

    Verify and make your findings before you place travel ban on Nigeria ,Nigeria and Senegal was able to courtail the ebola saga from it shores so take note is GUINEA, LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEON ARE THE WORST HIT WHAT OF AMERICANS? IS THERE NOT EBOLA OUTBREAK THERE DOUBLE STANDARD

  9. Anonymous
    October 16, 2014

    How stupid. There are not cases of Ebola in Nigeria. It was the first west African country to prevent to spread of Ebola in its borders. If anything countries should be looking to Nigeria for assistance. Where are the calls for banning flights from the US since there are ACTIVE Ebola cases there and an infected nurse was recently cleared to fly by the CDC

  10. J John-Charles
    October 16, 2014

    Not too long ago Obama told us.”The chances of ebola coming to the U.S is remote.”The boss for Center for disease control (CDC) gave Americans the assurance of their readiness.Both proved wrong..British Airways and Air France place ban on the African countries.
    Dominican leaders can play the fool if they want.

  11. hmmm
    October 15, 2014

    I wonder how people in da could be so daft that the only use there iPad and smartphones for whatsapp and Facebook and can’t read about the truth on Ebola..NIGERIA HAS BEEN DECLARED EBOLA FREE AND EVEN THE USA IS TRYING TO SEND PEOPLE TO NIGERIA TO COME AND LEARN ON HOW THEY DID THIS. Instead of you all to be proud of this achievement from for y’all own black brothers you all are there talking about something irrelevant. Thats why the white people seem to conquer us, because we black people don’t love to see our fellow black man progress. Hugh Ebola! Flavour was cancelled to come to Dominica because of political reasons..Since all Dominicans are panicking and Lenox went on the radio to talk, so if Skerrit don’t take action then he might lose his vote count..So in other to make the people happy and turn their heart back to him he said no more flavor, and stupid Dominicans are rejoicing..Ebola is in Texas and Europe getting to Canada, are people not coming to WCMF from this areas???

  12. The Facts
    October 15, 2014

    This is a good move. If Ebola gets to the islands, God help all nationals.
    The man who died in the US from Ebola due to the symptoms, he knew he had Ebola yet traveled to the US. I hope no passengers of all were affected. Imagine sitting near someone, in close proximity and in a closed-in area, who contracted this illness. This Ebola could deter people from traveling anywhere.
    While he was sick, I believe I heard on US News, if he had survived he probably could have been charged.
    Another worker in the US has contracted Ebola. The authorities do not know how this occurred.. These people wore protective garbs. If they were so well protected and contracted it, consider those who are not protected.

  13. Mega
    October 15, 2014

    Julius timothy = Bullhorn.
    Loud but really cannot understand a thing coming from that speaker

  14. Rocky Hills
    October 15, 2014

    The US Embassy cables to the US State Department indicated clearly to the world that Dominica’s Prime Minister is out of depth with his fellow Leaders…

    So i am not sure the alarm, it’s clear to see folks only in Dominica would they allow a juvenile to be a Leader for so Long…..Crowns off Dominica as the FOOLS PARADISE!!!

  15. Xcuse Me?
    October 15, 2014

    When one thinks of steps taken by other windward island governments to deal with Ebola, and the foolishness of Julius Timothy and the DLP last week, one will understand why Dominica is CLEARLY made the laughingstock of the Caribbean, under this DLP administration. But guess what? In spite of his foolishness, Skerrit still gave him a ticket to attend The Council of Health Ministers Meeting in STV, with the view to develop a comprehensive strategy to help mitigate emerging viral diseases, particularly, Chikungunya and Ebola.

    The meeting is essential as Ministers will

  16. la poite my big toe
    October 15, 2014

    so u ban the african from entering your country but the other 200 people on the same plane who was sitting next to or around the african can enter the country how is that goign to stop ebola virus ? its already to late to ban them or turn them away from the country

  17. let my people go
    October 15, 2014

    While the rest of the windward islands are taking steps to protect their people from this deadly disease, Skerrit and his DLP look for ways to score political points, and those blind supporters cannot see that. It was just last week his health Minister told us that Dominica is ready for Ebola. Today St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Grenada are saying they are not ready as well as the USA. After Timothy made that statement and Skerrit saw how it was so heavily criticized, he rushed the following day to call press conference to place ban on Flavour. They are lost and don’t seem to know a thing about governance. I guess tomorrow or Friday he will call another big press conference to place his own ban. All he cares about is making political mileage no matter the cost. LET MY PEOPLE GO SKERRIT!!!

    • nah
      October 15, 2014

      but why should we turn this deadly ebola sickness to a political thing. This is so stupid

  18. Free
    October 15, 2014

    St Vincent actuall had that ban in place some three weeks ago and for Nigerian nationals they can only enter if they have a certificate from their health department stating they are Ebola free…I think Peter Augustine should have refered to go salve as the wise leader and not skerrit…he’s willing to put the population at risk just to win an election….mr skerrit really care wii pal…

    • Wisher
      October 15, 2014

      I wish all countries with international airports like the USA would have banned such countries with ebola. They could then offer them medical, food or financial aid. These people from the 3 countries (who believe that they may not be sick}may really want to travel due to frustration and then we might get the sickness. So placing a ban would help us in the Caribbean

    • The Facts
      October 15, 2014

      If I recall, I had made this suggestion on DNO of obtaining a document stating that they are Ebola-free. However, how many would have done that?

    • Anonymous
      October 16, 2014

      Do you trust any documentation issued by Nigerian authorities? Everything is for sale in that country of master scammers. Chupes.

      • Pure
        October 16, 2014

        Dear Anonymous
        You are just a brain washed human begin . WHo has no idea of what Nigeria is and how it is, Ok..Nigeria is one of the richest countries of the World and can fund to combat ebola in their country.WIth the rise and emerging of the present best world scientist, medical doctors and nurses emerging from Nigeria…Do your research

      • Domnichen
        October 16, 2014

        @Pure – Read to understand. Anonymous is just saying that a health certificate from a Nigerian stating that he/she is ebola free cannot be trusted since they are such con artists! I have never trusted the Dr. who has the private practice in DA. If they can succeed with such scams in the US who is to say it cannot happen in DA?

  19. Xcuse Me?
    October 15, 2014

    Others lead and Dominica follows later, if it is politically safe. Let us hear what Windward Island governments are saying and actions taken to deal with Ebola:
    St. Vincent: PM Gonsalves has placed a ban on nationals from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea entering the island. WHY? Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said that the measure was taken given the lack of infrastructure on the island to deal with the Ebola virus for which there is no known cure.

    Grenada: “On Tuesday, the Grenada Government said it was considering suspending travel visas to nationals from the West African countries.” WHY? ” against the “background that there is no readily available vaccine to protect ones-self against the disease, no available medicines to treat the condition and the recognition that the introduction of one case of the disease could potentially undermine the health and financial infrastructure of the country”.

    St. Lucia: Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has advised the Commissioner of Police, Vernon Francois, to implement with immediate effect, a prohibition on persons from these countries who wish to travel to Saint Lucia

    Dominica: The man at the helm of the Ministry of Health, Julius Timothy, has said that Dominica is ready for the eventuality of the dreaded Ebola virus reaching the island’s shores.
    Further proof that this Roosevelt Skerrit administration does not have a clue of what they are doing, and ALL of there decisions are based on buying votes to stay in power instead of the wellbeing of people.

    • BEB
      October 16, 2014

      WE do not have an international airport so people coming from these infected countries would have to be sceaned at the first int. airport they would be landing before coming into Dominica.
      Our Min.of health is not a medical personnel , how can he say that we are Ebola ready, he cant give such an advise

  20. Anonymous
    October 15, 2014

    Lord!!!!! What are the Dominica government doing. Are they sentencing us to death?

  21. yesterday
    October 15, 2014

    And the only ban we banning is band bade. Wheh

  22. Lapo Layza
    October 15, 2014

    I support that move 100%. We in the O.E.C.S. are incapable of dealing with such a threat. Leaders of the O.E.C.S must put their people’s health and well being, as well as the economic well being of the population above all other consideration. Well done SVG and STL.

    ,

  23. lynn
    October 15, 2014

    Good Move Mr Gonzalves I wish the other leaders would do like you.. Talking bout Dominica is ready for Ebola when and How..

    • Anonymous
      October 15, 2014

      The US shaking under Ebola with all the technology and infrastructure they have, their hospitals with so much equipment and gear Dominica don’t have piece of it and we ready? Huh, ready for what? Dominica need to do the same thing, money ain’t worth the lives that can be lost and the disaster and havoc that can bring to our shores. Lord have mercy…

  24. October 15, 2014

    I not blame Mr. Gosalves at all this ebola virus is a threat to humanity.

  25. Lonesome
    October 15, 2014

    DNO
    I think you mean Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Nigeria seems to be the only country in the world who seem to have the Ebola virus under control. The Americans have sent a team there to find out just what Nigeria is doing that the rest of the world have not yet understood. And its in Liberia that things are really out of control. But base on your report Liberians are welcome in St.Vincent?

  26. The Mouth
    October 15, 2014

    DNO – The ban is for Liberia and not Nigeria. This is an error made by CMC.

  27. Doc Love
    October 15, 2014

    I don’t expect Skeritt to follow in the footsteps of his dear friend. If he was to take such an action especially against students who want to come to the school in Grandbay, his friend the Krazy man might not be to pleased.

    • Anonymous
      October 15, 2014

      Skerritt will have his press conference soon to place ban too. You know how he can’t think for himself there already. And while you on the podium cancel the festival too.

  28. evolved
    October 15, 2014

    And Dominica wants to play politics and trick its people into believing that they – the health services can handle it – such rubbish.

    This action is necessary and should have been taken a long time ago.

    • The Facts
      October 15, 2014

      You know, governments always take a “wait and see attitude.” Do not blame the D/A government. Now that two W.I. countries have take steps, this government might follow suit. Let us hope so.

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