Persons arriving from China could be denied entry, subjected to quarantine

Coronavirus…

With coronavirus now declared a global health emergency, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced strict travel measures, warning that persons arriving from China could be denied entry or subjected to quarantine protocols.
The Ministry informed that persons in China who plan to travel to Guyana to defer those plans until further notice is given, as they are likely to be denied entry into the country.

Those in Guyana who plan to travel to China are also advised to postpone those plans.
Persons arriving in Guyana from China will be subject to quarantine protocols and may be quarantined in a health facility or at home, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment.
All recent travellers from China, specifically those who arrived this year, are asked to contact their nearest health centre or hospital urgently.
The Ministry in a statement noted that should flu-like symptoms arise within 14 days after return to Guyana from China or another highly affected country, persons are asked to call the hotline on 592-227-8683 ext 215.
“Those who must travel to and from China are advised to take precautions against contracting the virus by avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, crowds and the consumption of uncooked food; universal precautions to take include the frequent washing of hands, especially after direct contact with ill persons or their environment,” the advisory further stated.
Moreover, travellers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should also practice cough etiquette, that is, maintain distance from others, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissue or clothing, and also frequently washing their hands.
At a press conference a few days ago, health officials, including those from the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), assured that Guyana is on alert for a possible outbreak of the virus here.
The country’s main public health facility, the Georgetown Public Hospital, has already established an isolation area for suspected cases and officials at the various ports of entry have been trained to detect symptoms.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency had earlier stated that the region’s risk of getting the virus remains low.
Nearly 10,000 people worldwide have been infected with the coronavirus, with more than 100 cases reported outside of China – where the disease originated.
In fact, the virus has reached at least 22 countries, including the United States – where a large percentage of persons travel to and from Guyana.
In China, over 200 persons have died as a result of the coronavirus.
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed that of the Sars epidemic, which spread to more than two dozen countries in 2003.
There were around 8100 cases of Sars – severe acute respiratory syndrome – reported during the eight-month outbreak.
Most cases outside China are in people who have been to Wuhan. But Germany, Japan, Vietnam, the United States, Thailand and South Korea have reported person-to-person cases – patients being infected by people who had travelled to China.
The UK, Australia, South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand are expected to quarantine all evacuees for two weeks to monitor them for symptoms and avoid contagion.
Australia plans to quarantine its evacuees on Christmas Island, 2000km (1200 miles) from the mainland in a detention centre that has been used to house asylum seekers.
Russia said two Chinese citizens had been placed in isolation after they tested positive for the virus. Russia also decided to close its 4300km (2,670-mile) far-eastern border with China.
Singapore closed its borders to all travellers from China. Italy declared a six-month state of emergency after two Chinese tourists in Rome were diagnosed with the coronavirus.
Thailand confirmed its first case of human-to-human transmission. Mongolia suspended all arrivals from China until March 2. It also banned its citizens from travelling to the country.
In the US, Chicago health officials reported the first US case of human-to-human transmission. Japan raised its infectious disease advisory level for China.
Some 250 French nationals were evacuated from Wuhan. India confirmed its first case of the virus – a student in the southern state of Kerala who was studying in Wuhan. Israel barred all flight connections with China. North Korea suspended all flights and trains to and from China, said the British Ambassador to North Korea.
Guatemala announced new travel restrictions, saying anyone who had been to China in the past 15 days would be prevented from reaching the country.