Saint Lucia received its first international flight on July 9, since the border closure in March 2020. Quarantine centers have been set up in Saint Lucia using various hotels to facilitate the large numbers of returning nationals and any non-nationals that may arrive of concern. This has proved to be an important measure in containing COVID-19 on island and failure to adhere can have serious implications for disease containment.

Quarantine is necessary for persons who are well and may have been exposed to a communicable disease. It applies to people who may or may not become sick. It restricts the movement of healthy people who may develop a disease after possible exposure to an infectious agent. It requires people to stay in a designated location for a specific period of time. Active monitoring including temperature checks and checking for respiratory symptoms is done.

The main policy for passengers returning into Saint Lucia outside of the Caribbean Bubble is Institutional Quarantine. After assessments, some passengers qualify for home quarantine if they meet certain conditions and their home meets the criteria.

1. Minors (younger than 18 years) and families with young children.

2. Individuals with underlying medical conditions or disabilities.

3. Persons coming from low-risk areas (as defined by WHO transmission classification above)

According to the Quarantine Act, Chapter 11.16 Act 13 of 1945 revised 31 December, 2001 the Quarantine Authority is the Chief Medical Officer. The Quarantine Authority has the power to decide and govern quarantine facilities and indicate the persons or things that are detained for observation or isolation. When any place is in use for isolation purposes, a person may not enter or leave except with the general or specific permission of the Quarantine Authority.

Over the last few months, people who have been granted home quarantine have not been adhering to the protocols of home quarantine. All persons on Home Quarantine are required to stay indoors for 14 days. As such, further restrictions on home quarantine have been instituted with immediate effect.

Anyone found in breach of home quarantine will be immediately taken to government quarantine to complete the time. Under this Act, the police officers have the duty to enforce compliance, it also states that they may arrest without a warrant any person whom he or she has reasonable cause to believe to have committed any offence.

The public is asked to cooperate and encourage family members and friends who have returned from overseas and are presently in quarantine to remain at home for the 14-day duration. The names of all persons in home quarantine are forwarded to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) to assist with compliance. The public is advised to alert the nearest police station or the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 468-5318/ 468-5349 with information in relation to anyone who breaches home quarantine guidelines.

Together, we can reduce transmission of COVID-19 introduction into our communities.

For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively.