Dominica imposes new COVID-19 protocols for business & employees

The new COVID-19 protocols have been introduced by the vaccination unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Investment of Dominica for the business and employees, especially for those employees who have tested positive of the viral infection. The announcement was made by the health ministry on Friday, February 18, 2022.

While informing about the various guidelines, the Senior Environmental Medical Health Officer Calma Louis, cited that the employees who were diagnosed with the COVID-19 infection have to inform their supervisor and undergo isolation immediately.

Moreover, the people who come in direct contact with the infected people, recognised as primary contacts, have to give their samples for the rapid antigen COVID-19 test and have to follow the isolation protocol at their respective residents, as per Louis.

She further highlighted the guidelines for the infected employee and the primary contacts:

• The infected employees have to isolate themselves immediately, and on the fifth day, he/she may undergo the rapid antigen test.
• The infected fully vaccinated employees who turned out negative on the fifth day could resume their work but have to continue to observe all the health protocols such as wearing a mask, social distancing, using sanitizer etc.
• The unvaccinated or partially vaccinated who were in direct contact with the infected person must complete the ten days of home isolation.
• On the other hand, the fully vaccinated primary contacts who have a negative report of antigen test are allowed to resume their work, but separately from the other employees. The particular business and the organization will be temporarily closed till the area get adequately disinfected.
• Staff who have not come in direct contact with the infected person are permitted to resume their work in the office space after getting disinfected and sanitized properly. They all have to follow all COVID-19 guidelines.

The senior Environmental Medical Health Officer asserted, "Vaccination is a key solution to combat the viral infection caused by the novel coronavirus. Get vaccinated as we have a number of vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Johnson and Johnson and, Sinopharm, Pfizer and take no chances, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly and follow 6 feet distance protocol".

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She further clarified the various responsibilities of employees and employers:

- Ensure that all the COVID-19 protocols are fulfilled in the organization.

- Employers should encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- Sanitize the area again and again with time.

- Disinfect the particular surface with the Sanitizer approved by the Ministry of Environment.

Further, the Coordinator of the Home Isolation Unit of Dominica, Dr Glida Nesty, also provided information on the Isolation facilities in the country. She outlined at the present time, 790 people are following the home isolation COVID-19 protocol. "People have to remain in the home isolation for at least 10 days, and on the eleventh day, they would be able to get out of the quarantine after testing negative against the COVID-19", underscored Dr Nesty.

She also warned the citizens of Dominica that if one could not comply with the requirement of COVID-19 protocol, they would commit the offence. Dr Nesty also applauded the government of Dominica and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs for handling the pandemic efficiently.