The Dominica government has joined its OECS sister countries of St. Vincent and St. Lucia in placing restrictions on travel between Dominica and the Ebola stricken West African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
According to a statement issued by the ministry of health on Friday afternoon, “In view of the widespread and sustained transmission of Ebola in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that the Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Dominica has advised with immediate effect, travel restrictions has been placed on persons travelling to and from these countries for the next three months.”
The ministry of health says persons travelling from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia or those who have visited any of these countries during a twenty-eight (28) days period will not be allowed entry into Dominica.
“The general public is advised that although assessments conducted by the regional health institutions, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) indicate that the risk of the introduction of Ebola to the region is low, like the other countries in the region, Dominica still remains at risk of an imported case of Ebola due to international travel,” the ministry points out in its statement.
St. Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines recently placed a ban on nationals from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea entering those OECS countries, as Caribbean countries continue to put measures in place to deal with a possible outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the region.
The ministry of health says it will continue to monitor the global situation with regard to Ebola and advise the public accordingly.
biological wepon force vacintion testube Africa agenda 21
in motion
my people to get the real over-standing of Ebola just google (alex jones inforwars)
IS EBOLA REAL OR IS THERE A HIDDEN AGENDA IN THE MEDIA?
. in 1976 ebola outbreak result (contained), in 1995 scientist said that the only way they can test if a plasma transfusion will be successful, was if there is another out break and here we are today plasma transfusion is the new order of the day or is it. So far what i’ve seen is the same media propaganda that lead up to the invasion of Iraq. And now military personnel is transporting ebola patient. Sorry but if you are not a medic in the military there is no way in hell that you will be transporting anything on a stretcher unless you are knee deep in battle. Well if you’re a medic stationed in Ft. Detrick Maryland then you will know more about Ebola than me. But i could only smell the stink from the monkeys that was burned in the incinerator every so often and listen to the wispers about Ebola this was in 1996. But now i’m here where i belong, far from the stress and the propaganda. THANK GOD i made it out alive.
Remember the ID cards that was found on the sidewalk in NY of the suppose individuals that hijacked the planes. What luck..
They wait to do it after the Creole festival that brought so many different people on the island from all parts of the world and who knows if they have been to west Africa lately. it seems like the welfare of the Dominican people comes last.Stupss
u read my mind
It is so sad that Dominican has forgotten our maker and creator God. Satan has blinded our mind with material things that we have forgotten who to go to with our problem of Ebola etc. DNO don’t even want to publish your comment. I posted a comment about praying with the children and they never publish it. I remember long ago Dominican would pray not anymore.
dominica is just reacting to the ignorance of it’s caribbean neighbors,imposing a ban on people that if they are sick,would never even travel to dominica,lest alone no where dominica is on the map,,,if ebola has to affect dominica,it’s likely to come from europe and america and there is no travel ban to these countries,give me a break about ban,we are just creating a divide on a skimpy african relationship,i see that as a massination.
Excellent job, Mr. Lennox Linton. We are hearing about a wise man and great leadership, I wonder who were they truly referring to. Had Mr. Linton not put pressure on the Minister of Health and the Prime Minister, Dominica would have been the last country in the Caribbean to put measures in place to fight the Ebola virus. God alone knows the disaster that would be looking Dominica in the face. This is just a sample of what to expect from Mr. Linton when he becomes the next Prime Minister of Dominica.
I have listen to all the different news media, I have never heard anyone say let us pray to GOD who can take care of this terrible disease. We can put ban from north to south, east to west. Our only hope is in Christ Jesus. No one knows who has Ebola and who doesn’t. Its only the mercies of God that can keep us safe. God in all His mercies is watching over the Caribbean because He knows we don’t have the equipment to treat Ebola. I am thankful that a ban is in place to stop people from the countries that is plagued with Ebola from traveling.
Sam you playing Politics too? wow!!!
At this late stage it would be much more sensible to restrict persons who have visited any Ebola stricken region in the last couple weeks. It seems shortsighted and clueless as usual.
I have been communicating with some healthcare workers in America who are planning to travel to Africa. They are implying they are going to Canada or England since the Ebola epidemic began and stipulations are in place for travelers. I think they are going to get separate tickets to travel. I am making sense of the different information given during our conversations. These people if they contract Ebola should be persecuted because they know what they are doing.
Man I’m sick of you Dominicans nothing this government do is good enough for you guys
Hurrah for the decision to implement the travel ban. but why for God’s sake it was not done in a timely manner like our other sister OECS Countries?
People coming from any of those places into the US is being quarantined for 21 days as soon as they arrive in the country. So there is no way for them to get to the US and then Dominica.
The Government of Dominica is last in everything even with restriction in the control of Ebola we are last in making a decision. Poor Dominica.
As usual Dr Sam, you’ve provided much insight to the situation at large. This helps mitigate the political hysteria that gives such pleasure to the contrarians.
Our issue is no longer with West Africa – Ebola is in the US……………………………………………………………………….
read again…. ebola stricken countries. there are 2 cases in the US. That’s not stricken
Consider the millions of people in the US and the many States this is why there may not be so much of a concern in the US. The US has plans on how to contain it as much as it possibly could.
A smaller country with less population as D/ca, some of the people, if not the majority or all of them are much more at risk of contracting it. Yet, as I have previously stated, not everyone may contract it, if per chance one case is in Dominica. We hope not.
Let the government do its part and you do your part as a member of the public. It was not too late to impose the ban.
In the words of the late Saint (Padre – Father) Pio, a holy Italian priest: “Pray and do not worry.”
When you do, ask God to help D/ca avoid getting this dreadful and deadly virus. Then, leave it all to Him who holds the key to life and is in control. We could also say “health”.
God is good! If we pray in the manner we should, He always comes to the rescue silently and in mysterious ways. He also grants much peace of mind.
Therefore, faith, hope and trust in God. Let go and let God.
I did read that both of the nurses are healthy and have been sent back home, so I believe it’s only a doctor in New York now here.. Not saying there won’t be more (I hope not).. but I have read we have such a large amount of people traveling back and forth from the US to west Africa. I don’t know how people can come in contact with it and knowingly walk around and put others at risk.. So anyone reading knows.. My girlfriend and I are not the type of people who would be around anyone who might be sick and then decide to hop on a plane.
As a US citizen who has a visit booked in Dominica next month, I hope it really isn’t a concern to people when my girlfriend and I come. I understand the worry. The news here takes it a little too far. I think now as more rules come in place for isolation upon entering our country from west Africa, as long as the hospitals do their jobs hopefully the 3 cases in the US currently will be at zero soon. As of recently I haven’t heard much about the 2 nurses. And no news is good news as far as that goes. I just hope that we won’t be looked at as a threat. I have been reading dominicanewsonline somewhat regularly since I found out we would have the chance to visit back in June.
One nurse is cleared of Ebola. I have not heard about the other one.
Well, done!
“.. for the next three months..”?
How did we arrive at that period of time? Are we assuming the ban will end after three months or will there be need to extend it?
Good question! I do not know either. Nevertheless, this is what those authorities think. They love to speculate. They are not God. Let us take an attitude of wait and see and hope that this deadly virus will soon be stabilized and end forever.
As you know, it is not only causing numerous deaths, it is causing much pain and suffering for the victims who contracted it and a lot of grief among those who lost loved ones including anxiety and stress for also those who fear contracting it. Many children have also lost their parents and are now orphans.
May God help them all.
Too little, too late. If this disease had to come into Dominica it would be there already before the ban was implemented. People from West Africa would have already arrrived into DA before Friday and so Ebola would already be here. Thanks but no thanks.
More like no sense! Your reasoning is beyond comprehension.
Are you kidding? You never know if and when it will come to D/ca when you least expect it.
Thank God it is not yet in Dominica.. So far so good. May Dominica be free of it.
Whereas understandably, and contrary to earlier assertions Dominica cannot deal with Ebola (do we even have proper hazmat suits not to mention isolation units?), what happens if someone (say a Dominican) arrives and say traveled 20 days ago from Sierra Leon, spent 7 days in France and then shows up at the airport? What would happen? Where would we send that person? Potentially as well, someone could arrive at the airport and say they have symptoms.. Where do you send them? The airline would probably refuse to fly the person out anyway. In contingency planning we have to look at multiple scenarios. I hope the government officials are considering all these situations.
Exactly my sentiments! I also add, do we even have proper temperature measuring equipment. I’m sure it’s those same underarm thermometers we have! Direct contact with possibly infected persons then pass on to non infected persons.
Ask the minister of AGRICULTURE because is he who is the foremost health and Ebola expert in Dca. Dont be surprised if he tell you GO TO HELL like his leader does. The minister of health is too busy with his constituency campaign matter to even think of all theses valuable points. And you and I know unless LLL put some specific pressha reference the points you mentioned nothing will happen. But Change Is On The Way.
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Maybe the government should build a quarantine center near the airport? Pray that it does not arrive in Dominica.
As you asked….”what happens if someone (say a Dominican) arrives and say traveled 20 days ago from Sierra Leon, spent 7 days in France and then shows up at the airport?”….that would mean that he traveled to Sierra Leon 20 days ago…isn’t it so? I believe that is well within the 28 day limitation, so he would be refused into the country…it doesnt matter where he stopped in between, the fact is that he was there within the last 28 days.
As you asked….”what happens if someone (say a Dominican) arrives and say traveled 20 days ago from Sierra Leon, spent 7 days in France and then shows up at the airport?”….that would mean that he traveled *from Sierra Leon 20 days ago…isn’t it so? I believe that is well within the 28 day limitation, so he would be refused into the country…it doesnt matter where he stopped in between, the fact is that he was there within 28 days.
This government is always the last in doing good things for country,however in terms of terms of greediness it is always first
You could be sued for making that comment. It is not a nice thing to say about your government. You should know this is not accurate. Beware. You may put DNO in trouble.
About time
I would like to commend our government on imposing a very well-considered travel on the countries where there is “widespread and sustained” transmission of Ebola.” It is important to note that there is hardly any known travel connections to those countries if at all, making the ban largely symbolic. The wording of the ban allows continued travel with the US which has Ebola – and that makes perfect sense.
The World Creole Music Festival is proceeding well despite the vigorous efforts by concerns elements to derail it out of fear of Ebola.
I would like to also to take the opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the government of Cuba for their massive, rapid and courageous medical support to the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. These countries have no oil or the kind of resources that they can offer. The actions of Cuba is in the proud tradition of true revolutionary spirit. Without the sacrifices of the brave Cuban warriors, the world would have never been gifted with Nelson Mandela and the total liberation of Africa.
When the dust has settled, history will once again record that the sacrifices of many, led by the the amazing Medecins San Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) and the Cuban Health Ministry, were primarily responsible for the defeat of Ebola. These brave Cuban men and women have pledged that should they contract Ebola, that they will be treated at their post and not be repatriated and risk bring Ebola home.
Can you think of anything more inspiring? Such brotherly love in time of need far surpasses all the religion in the world, from those fleecing the flock in the name of prosperity gospel to the demons doing the beheading in the Middle East.
Once again it is important to note that NIGERIA IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TRAVEL BAN as it is the only country country officially declared to have overcome Ebola. We owe an apology to the mistreatment of our Nigerian guests. The international community understands it has a lot to learn from them.
Customs does great work in keeping us safe from invasive biological threats. It is oftentimes a thankless job. This is a good time to review complaints that they specially targeting Nigerian care packages for confiscation and destruction. We respectfully expect equal measures applied to all material imported from any other country.
The person who gave the thumb down, did you really understand what you read
“It is important to note that there is hardly any known travel connections to those countries if at all, making the ban largely symbolic. ”
This would include ANYONE who has visited the affected countries in the last 28 days. For instance, doctors from Cuba who go and then come back to the Caribbean.. and then may want to come to Dominica.
Garbage…..
As I have mentioned before, this Ebola fear (hysteria) is just one of the weapons that America and Europe have developed in their labs to use against Africa. This is germ warefare to annihilate Africans (that is all black people) around the world. This is called genocide. Why is it that Cuba sent 386 doctors to the West African countries whereas America sent 3,000 troops? Doesn’t that speak for itself? Can’t we see that this is to militarise Africa to continue to reap its resources? America’s and Europe’s intention is to also continue their wars and destruction against Africans. They have never stopped their hatred towards Africans and we in the Caribbean think that it’s just business as usual. They have caused us to have our heads up in the clouds so we don’t read and do research about our history and the history of the Europeans. They have given us a book called the bible, that has us stupified and we defend it and will even kill for it.
We have become so naive and ignorant, and that is due to our lack of knowledge of our history and because we do not want to change. We are satisfied with the brain-washing. Someone said that “we are our own enemy.”
We in the caribbean tend to accept anything that comes from America and the European countries without questioning it. That’s because we were stripped of our history but in this day and age we need to think differently. There is enough information out there now.
We have been religious for so long that we cannot look past that. Religion is killing us and we have become helpless. Religion has caused all the wars and sufferings in the world.
The politicians and religious leaders continue to use what the colonial masters have put in place to oppress and divide the masses. It is quite obvious that the religious leaders continue to fleece the flock to maintain their lifestyles. Taking from the poor to live lavishly in the name of jesus and god.
Wake up my people!!!!! It doesn’t matter how religious you are, that will take you no where. There is no one in the sky who is going to save you. The bible is not a historical book. It is just a mythical book which was copied from the pyramid texts in Egypt, where the true story was written in stone.
We were never lost as a people and Jesus came about during the History of the First Council of Nicea, a world’s christian convention A.D. 325 with a life of constantine. (Dean Dudley)
Dr. Sam Christian I do not think that any one was making any effort to derail the WCMF. I think that you are discounting the people’s genuine fears and concerns you are Doctor/Healer why are you saying that? I do hope that you are no trying to impress politically.
Relax Doc. You taking this thing too personal now man. Customs personnel as part of our law enforcement community are doing their best under these circumstance with limited resources. Give them a break for crying out loud!
Your very first post on the subject was not an object one but rather one filled with nostalgia and not from a medical perspective. Don’t forget that while the Cubans are very, very much appreciated for their efforts, it is the good old USA who have thousands of troops (most medical) dedicating their life to this fight. Why no mention of that? They are the ones leading the research and developing treatment and vaccines to fight the disease costing billions of US$. Why no mention of that? They did not send the Agriculture Secretary to Liberia. Why no mention of that? I wonder why no mention of that!
Your “oil” comment is a low blow that does not belong. Even the Nigerian President conceded that the US CDC played a significant role in helping them contain their outbreak. Further, I heard nothing from you the Agriculture Minister heading our Ebola delegation to Cuba…..why the selective silence on such an important issue? Hmmmmmmmmmmm! I am interested in knowing what your bro Gabbo would think of your latest article.
Much love and nothing but respect for you comrade but please temper your writing/ thinking with more objective reasoning less you alienate those who once respected you for who we thought we knew back then. Change Is A Must!
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Dr. Christian, you know best. Very well stated. Did you note that since you commended the government you got some thumbs down? If you had stated something negative you would get numerous thumbs up.
It figures that some people detest hearing anything good about the government. Their thumbs down are unfair. Those who have sense will know that those thumbs down do not portray the truth of their thumbs down.
I am happy with the restriction… but I do not trust the Nigerians… why no restrictions on them just because they say they are EBOLA Free… LMAO
you are foolish
What about the Americans? Should we not ban them too, you people have such double standard its not even funny.
Which Nigerian guy hurt you boo?
I was hoping that Dominica would show some leadership in this, display some commonsense. We already know that banning travel from these countries will do little to nothing to reduce the risk to us. The ministry of health itself admits that there’s a risk due to international travel, which is the point I’ve repeatedly made.
I saw nothing about Dominicans who might have travelled to these countries. What’s the policy regarding this? Will we be barred from entering our country? The ministry is silent on this.
Yesterday I raised the issue of the sale of Dominican passports on the world market. What is the policy regarding those citizens? Will they be barred from entering Dominica if they travel to any of the affected countries? What if a visitor from Europe visits Liberia but does not state that he/she did, then takes ill here, how do we deal with the situation? And, most importantly, what have we done, or are doing to prepare our country – our health care workers, our immigration and customs officials, our population – in the event a case is discovered here?
These are questions that must be answered, but which the ministry of health did not address. If we think that barring people who travel to West Africa is the answer to ebola, we are fooling ourselves, and that’s the greatest danger.
“The ministry of health says persons travelling from Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia or those who have visited any of these countries during a twenty-eight (28) days period will not be allowed entry into Dominica.”
That include ANYONE… doesn’t matter where they are from. “Persons traveling from or those who have visited…”
I believe with simple inspection of the passport, Customs Officers will be able to see where the person has recently traveled by looking at the travel stamps, giving date and place of arrival and departure
@DodMath, are you suggesting that Dominicans be barred from entering their own country if they travelled to any of the West African countries within the last 28 days? Dominicans resident at home, or abroad, have full rights to their country, so how can we bar them from entering? Are we exiling them?
Maybe we should do what North Korea did: shut the doors altogether.
What about the ban on America? New cases keep popping up there! But they wouldn’t dare try that….
Is there an epidemic in America?
Try it and non of all you will see a visa again….lmao
We say thanks to the people of Dominica and Team Dominica UWP for keeping up the pressure on the Govt to take the Ebola situation much more seriously, and they should take it one more step further they should also have some sort of restriction for the students from Africa that are on the Island they should not be allowed to travel freely between these two continents .
Matthew Walter for minister of health. Give Jack his jacket on this one, Julius should go
So you can continue to eat lobster every weekend. ….Labourats. …
so u ban travel to those countries but what it someone from those countries take a flight to south africa then take a different flight to the states then someone who was on the flight with the person from south africa to the states then travels to dominica that person who only travvelled from south africa to the states then to dominica was exposed to ebola
what has that ban accomplished then ? you just impossed a measure thats totally useless . cause with the way airline travel is at the moment these measures have already been breached even before they have been implemented
Consider this. Not everyone in those Ebola-stricken countries has contracted Ebola. It is something to ponder.
An epidemic never wipes out an entire country. Thanks be to God.
ONLY NOW!!! WICKED SET OF GOOD FOR NOTHINGS
Who is? I suppose this also includes you.
Good move. The health of the nation is too important to take unnecessary risk with. Please take more stringent measures in respect of those coming for the WCMF. A small loss for a long term gain…God Bless Dominica
God wants you to also pray with a loving, humble and generous heart that He may bless Dominica.
Well we take time. but I thought we were prepared and ready?
Guess better late than never and better before anything serious gains ground.
Are we ever prepared and ready? Is any country truly prepared and ready? They just have to do what they have to do and if they can, under such a circumstance, should Ebola penetrate their country. Hope for the best.
How clever mr PM to place restriction d day dt festival started. Now we r exposed to so many foreigners. Its glarin that ur ppl cmz in second. Dont worry sooner or later yr tricks will catch up wit u
What about your tricks?
Are you insinuating that you do not play tricks on people? The pot calling the kettle black? Try not to think you can deceive God. He knows you very well.
west africa?AWA
i guess thats not where is going to come from if it has to hit dominica. y not ban them from the USA n DE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
Always late to the ball. sad to see the state we in
If Dominica was in a state and you as well, it would not be existing. It would have gone under a long time ago and taken you with it. Be appreciative and grateful.
This is a good move, finally, at long last. D/ca cannot resist not placing a ban on those countries. I heard that the Ebola virus may be contained by December. I wonder. I would not be complacent about it.
Does D/ca have African students?
To the facts …would you please go away….
You too! Say something kind and sensible for a change. This will give you much peace of mind.
Is about time
An understandably cautious move. I concur.