Director of Primary Health Care, Dr.Laura Esprit has expressed concerns over what she refers to as the disregard by some returning Dominicans to the regulations set by the Ministry of Health.
Dr.Esprit said, “It has been approximately 10 days since our borders have been reopened to Dominican nationals and residents. Thus far approximately 183 persons have returned home with more than 70% accommodated at the Government operated facility for non compliance mostly”.
Dr. Esprit said that most persons do not comply worth the pre arrival protocols especially the stipulated time for presenting a negative PCR test result. She said that while the authorities are sensitive to the difficulties of PCR testing in some countries, special arrangements and conditions were made at the earlier stages. However, some have misconstrued these arrangements and think that protocols must be lifted based on individual or personal circumstances. She reminds all that this compromises can only lead to endangerment to our health. Dr. Esprit said that observance of the mandatory protocols is paramount and person wishing to travel are encouraged to be 100% compliant, finalizing one’s flight with the PCR test results in hand.
Dr. Esprit outlined other concerns including total disregard for completing the online questionnaire, unaccompanied minors with pre arrival conditions not met with ramifications for being quarantined, disrespect and verbal abuse to staff at quarantine facilities and total non compliance with the protocols for mandatory home quarantine.
She says, ” As a matter of fact many of you have shown a callous attitude to what we have struggled to maintain- zero cases of COVID on the island. Many returnees were seen on the block, liming in the bars with no mask and no worry by a day or two after arrival. Let me remind you that for those of who remained home it meant making alot of sacrifices over the last three to four months of being locked up, abandoning the farms, places of worship,losing income, having fear of taking public transport, being denied of access to the rivers, beaches and other forms of relaxation, keeping the elderly in a bubble, forcing our kids to remain indoors and being scared of having to sneeze or cough”.
Dr. Esprit said that persons are being encouraged to follow protocols as it takes only one person to have our tireless efforts gone with the wind. She says non compliance puts the entire country at risk.
Dr. Esprit said further that the authorities are aware of challenges faced by persons overseas and remind them that the guidelines are fluid and will be reassessed at different intervals. However, if non compliance continues to be an issue more stringent measures would have to be adopted.
