Vincentians repatriated from Disney Cruise Line

Twenty-five Vincentian Crew members from the Disney Cruise Line have been placed in quarantine for the next 14 days after they arrived home yesterday.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Simone Keizer-Beache says all of the nationals disembarked and were subjected to screening for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus which causes COVID-19) exposure, utilising rapid tests.

After being briefed by Port Health officials on the process, the crew members awaited the results of these initial tests in coaches stationed on the cruise ship wharf.

Rapid testing did not identify any crew member with antibodies to COVID-19, and the crew members were subsequently transported to the appropriate quarantine facility to begin their 14-day quarantine.

Additionally, in keeping with the revised protocol for the repatriation of crew members, swabs for PCR COVID-19 testing were also taken prior to disembarkation.

The CMO says this is aimed at further minimising the risk of importation of new COVID-19 cases into St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The results for these PCR tests are still outstanding.

Based on these additional test results and the compliance of the crew members to the court-ordered quarantine, a determination will be made on whether further testing will be required and on where the Disney crew members will complete their 14-day quarantine.