CARICOM Heads agree on coronavirus protocol

A regional protocol setting out minimum standards for dealing with the COVID19 virus was agreed to by CARICOM Heads of Government at the 8th Special Emergency Meeting in Barbados on Sunday.

The protocol is vital to avoid an outbreak of panic and fear in the Region, a statement from CARICOM said on Sunday. It came on the same day that coronavirus cases were declared in the Caribbean territories of St Martin, St Barthelemy and in the Dominican Republic.

The capacity to manage an outbreak was seen as an area of concern. Accordingly the statement said that the Meeting agreed to establish an expanded Bureau of Heads of Government to continue talks with the travel and tourism industry, regional Financial Institutions, International Financial Institutions and the private sector on mobilising resources to boost the region’s capacity to deal with a possible outbreak. In that context, the meeting asked CARPHA and PAHO to help by conducting a gap analysis of Member States’ capacities.

The protocol, drafted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) following two emergency meetings of the CARICOM Ministers of Health last week, allows for individual states to implement additional measures if they so require.

Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, stressed that the leaders were prepared to protect the Region’s “vital national and regional interest at all times. We must act together to get through this,” the Prime Minister said referring to the Community’s response to the virus.

The Protocol assigns roles and responsibilities of all parties and seeks to ensure that there is effective communications between CARICOM governments and the cruise line industry in relation to decisions.

The statement said that the meeting also recognised that the existing Regional Response Mechanism co-ordinated by CDEMA was already on alert and was actively undertaking scenario planning in partnership with CARPHA, PAHO, CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security and Member States’ emergency management agencies and Chief Medial Officers.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency

Management Agency would also provide guidance and share best practices to Member States in their approach to managing an outbreak. A draft framework document has already been shared with regional partners and all CDEMA participating states, the statement noted.

The officials said screening procedures and protocols for prevention, surveillance and response are critical to industry operations. The cruise officials added that clear and practical protocols throughout the Region are pivotal and look forward to continued co-operation with all stakeholders.

They voiced their gratitude for Prime Minister Mottley’s leadership and initiative in convening what was a productive meeting.