The government’s decision to eliminate point of entry testing for individuals traveling to The Bahamas “seems to introduce a larger risk of community spread” following the reopening of The Bahamas’ tourism sector, Living with COVID Coalition (LWCC) Chairman Robert Myers said in a letter to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar on Thursday.
On October 1, the Ministry of Tourism announced that individuals traveling to The Bahamas, after November 1, would have to provide a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test prior to arrival and take a rapid antigen test upon arrival and again 96 hours later.
It also said quarantine would not be necessary following that date.
However, the latest emergency powers orders, which were released earlier today, make no note of the point of entry rapid antigen tests. It notes that individuals are required to obtain a travel health visa and present a negative RT-PCR test that is no older than five days.
The orders also indicate that quarantine will still be necessary after November 1.
In his letter, which was obtained by The Nassau Guardian, Myers wrote, “We write you on behalf of the Living with COVID Coalition to express our great concern towards the government of The Bahamas change to eliminate mandatory point of entry testing in the previously agreed upon travel testing solution.
“The end to end testing solution that was crafted by the LWCC for The Bahamas travel health visa and agreed upon by the Ministry of Tourism and deputy chief medical officer reflected ten weeks of deliberate and informed work that would introduce a well-managed widespread testing, technology and management systems to significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19 as The Bahamas re-opens the tourism industry.
“The proposed revision of not testing at points of entry and relying solely on a questionnaire, an online survey and a negative RT-PCR test five days in advance of arrival, and an antigen test on day five seems to introduce a larger risk of community spread with less ability to identify risks and implement management and control.
“Beyond the disrespect, this eleventh-hour revision presents to the many volunteers and thousands of hours that have been contributed to this not for profit effort, the government of The Bahamas current plan to eliminate the point of entry testing seems significantly less clear, secure and actionable, thus increasing the risk of further exposure to the citizens, communities and businesses of The Bahamas.”
He said it does not seem “prudent” that the socioeconomic health of the nation and physical health of its citizen should be “dependent on a voluntary questionnaire with no ramification to those that may not choose to be entirely honest when completing it”.
“It is our position that for the safety, health and security of the country that we must trust but verify, as is the case with many other countries around the world, and that anything less is irresponsible and negligent,” Myers wrote.
He said testing on arrival would potentially eliminate the spread of COVID-19 to thousands of people in or visiting The Bahamas.
“It is not clear what logical or scientific support exists for the elimination of the arrivals test, even in travelers — the majority of which are from high-risk areas within the USA (the United States) — present as asymptomatic,” Myers wrote.
He added, “The LWCC strongly requests that the government of The Bahamas reconsiders its course of action in this matter. The end to end solution offered by the LWCC can help the government Bahamas health travel visa objective to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread due to the opening of the tourism industry.
“We do not believe that the alternative will meet this objective.”
Last week, it was announced that LWCC, which is a non-profit coalition within the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG), had entered into a public-private partnership with the government to provide access to as many as three million rapid antigen tests, which are necessary for post-arrival COVID testing following the reopening of the tourism sector.
Yesterday, Myers wrote, “I wish the Ministry of Tourism and the government of The Bahamas every success in achieving this goal while continuing to protect citizens, residents and visitors of The Bahamas.
“If the government follow the proposed new direction, I am unwilling to commit any further time to this endeavor or support its development.
“I will however seek to determine if someone within the coalition may be willing to continue this effort with the government of The Bahamas outside of the ORG Foundation.”
The post Myers: elimination of point of entry COVID-19 test introduces greater risk of community spread appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/myers-elimination-of-point-of-entry-covid-19-test-introduces-greater-risk-of-community-spread/
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