Minister taking cue from public health experts
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December 30, 2020
Minister of Health Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic has blanked the recommendation by the nation’s doctors’ body to raise the coronavirus quarantine to seven days.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said that the ministry will continue to be guided by the science, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Last week, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) called on Government to increase the quarantine period from five days to seven days for travellers coming from the medium to high-risk jurisdictions.
The BAMP statement read: “Travellers from all high to medium-risk countries should present a negative PCR test on arrival and undergo quarantine for a minimum of five days after arrival and up to seven days depending on assessment of pre-travel risk of exposure. Release from quarantine should be dependent on obtaining a negative PCR test at the end of this period. Intense monitoring for symptoms should occur for seven days after arrival.”