Antigua and Barbuda has hailed its coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination program and health protocols as the country is reporting that it has not seen an upsurge of new infections following carnival festivities.
A note from yesterday’s cabinet meeting said Minister of Health Sir Molwyn Joseph reported that there were 57 infections reported since Carnival 2022 ended and this shows that COVID-19 boosters are working.
Joseph noted that previous large-scale events led to as many as 250 people being infected with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, as more countries across the region are relaxing some of their entry requirements for COVID-19, Information Minister Melford Nicholas said he will be pushing for Antigua and Barbuda to follow in their footsteps.
“I think we have reached that level of safety and living with COVID that we know how to deal with it. By no means are our public health institutions being overwhelmed now with COVID-19 and we are in a position to treat it as a normal passing infection. So there is no need in my estimation and certainly when the cabinet last looked at it to have these restrictions in place,” he stated.
Nicholas noted Antigua and Barbuda will harm its vital tourism industry if it continues to have cumbersome restrictions in place.
Fully vaccinated persons arriving in Antigua and Barbuda are not required to present a negative PCR/Rapid Antigen Test.
Partially/Unvaccinated passengers, with no COVID 19 symptoms, are required to present a negative PCR test taken no more than three days or Rapid Antigen Test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arrival in Antigua and Barbuda. They submit to an RT-PCR test on arrival and quarantine for 10 days.
