Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 2 - 2020

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

ISSUE NO. 02

MINISTRY OF HEALTH BEGINS

Details on Page 02

CONTACT TRACING OF THREE COVID-19 POSITIVE TRAVELERS FROM GRENADA

INSIDE PAGE STIMULUS PACKAGE PAYMENTS 04 TO BE MADE PAGE ST. PATRICK ROAD IMPROVEMENT TO BE HANDED OVER IN NOVEMBER 2020 06 PAGE 07

2020 PLANT DISTRIBUTION SEASON DECLARED OPEN

AND MUCH MORE...

Seventy-unit project is nearing completion

HELP ON THE WAY

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FOR RESIDENTS OF MT. RODNEY

Details on page 03

INSPECTION OF ST. GEORGE’S MARKET

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MINISTRY OF HEALTH BEGINS CONTACT TRACING OF THREE COVID-19 POSITIVE TRAVELERS FROM GRENADA Minister for Health, Hon. Nickolas Steele, said his ministry has deployed its contact tracing team, to quickly assess recent developments, where three COVID-19 cases were confirmed from Grenada.

from their interviews with our health officials, in the last couple of hours, have said that at no time did they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 while they were here. We do know and we have been saying that it is quite possible

On Friday July 17, the Ministry of Health issued a statement, which confirmed that three Trinidadian Nationals travelling from Grenada, to their homeland, tested positive upon arrival in Trinidad.

for somebody to have COVID-19 and be, as we say, asymptomatic, or show no symptoms, or not feel ill or anything like that.”

A press release from the Ministry of Health, on

The individuals left the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) on Thursday, July 16 with the Caribbean Airlines flight.

July 17, stated that the implications of this new Health Minister - Hon. Nickolas Steele

Minister Steele told GIS, on Friday July 17, that it is possible the individuals are asymptomatic and did not show any signs during their stay in Grenada.

Grenada has not had any active COVID-19 cases on island, for at least four weeks.

The Health Minister said, “To date we have followed up in terms of where the individuals lived, been in contact with all of them and have started the other interactions that they have had. We know what they were doing from March forward - where they stayed, who their landlords were or host were, et cetera - all of that is being followed up.”

Hon. Steele also said, “What is important here is that these individuals,

development are disturbing, due to the fact that there have been no known active cases of the COVID-19 virus in at least 4 weeks, in Grenada.

Minister Steele reiterated the need for Grenadians to be vigilant, avoid all mass gatherings, maintain physical distancing and practice proper hygiene.

He said, “We need to continually observe the social protocols, social distancing and wearing the masks, no mass gatherings et cetera, because we must always be cautious that the war is not over. We may have won some of the battles, but the war is not over.”

THE REGION DISCUSSES ACROSS-THE-BOARD PCR TESTING

The Health Minister also said, “So somebody going from Grenada to Barbados should be PCR tested in Grenada and would expect to be tested in Barbados, and vice versa, same for Trinidad, same for CARICOM regions et cetera. So, yes, it would bring some further changes, or could bring some further changes in terms of strengthening of the barriers and the measures that we have.”

He said any adjustments that need to be made must be done before Grenada opens its borders to commercial flights on August 1.

According to Health Minister, Hon. Nickolas Steele, during an interview on Friday, July 17, new developments in Grenada’s COVID-19 status may see possible changes in regional travel to and from Grenada.

The Health Minister said discussions are being held to decide whether PCR testing should be done on passengers travelling to and from a country, regardless of their country of origin. Presently, rapid tests are conducted first and, if the results are positive, then officials follow up with a PCR

test.

Hon. Steele said, “I do think while we were contemplating previously that individuals who were coming from green zone countries would only be rapid tested. I think we have to give consideration. I was having that conversation with our Trinidad associates and Barbados associates, within the last hour, that there should be PCR testing regardless of where you come from on arrival, and that we as brother and sister nations should also facilitate PCR testing before boarding.”

Hon. Steele said, “We are in discussion and we are waiting on further results, over the next couple of days, to see if we need to make any adjustments between now and when the first commercial flights come in, or any of the flights coming in. So right now, for any flights coming in, there is PCR test coming in from yellow or red zones; there’s PCR testing before that flight leaves - all persons must be PCR tested and all persons will be PCR tested on arrival. So that is as strong as the system can get there. The consideration is as to whether we would make PCR testing acrossthe-board, regardless of where you come from, even if you come from a green zone country.”

INSPECTION OF ST. GEORGE’S MARKET

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Implementation conducted a health and safety inspection on July 17, at the St George’s Market.

The objective of the inspection was to assess the level of compliance with COVID-19 protocols. The inspection team comprised officials from the Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Climate Resilience and the Environment; Ministry of Agriculture and Lands; the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF); Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Grenada Tourism Authority. The report of the inspection will be submitted to the COVID-19 Economic Support Secretariat (CESS) and the Ministry of Health.

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for Friday July 24, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

The sanitization of Building no. 1 is ongoing. The outstanding matters are power washing of the floor, cleaning of ceiling and windows, plumbing and electrical works and installation of ceiling fans. The sanitization of Building no. 2 is 75 percent complete. The outstanding matters are the installation of at least two fire extinguishers of the ABC type, in the food court area, cleaning of the roof of the booths and replacement of broken tiles.

All vendors are called upon to finalize the cleaning of their respective booths, during the period of July 20 to 24, 2020.

The cleaning and painting of the grills will continue, as well as the power washing of the compound. The disposal of solid waste is scheduled for Saturday July 18, 2020. The next inspection is scheduled

The public is advised that the area under construction will be screened off on Saturday July 18, 2020. As a result of the ongoing construction activities, no vending will be permitted on the steps of the market.

The Ministry anticipates the cooperation of all stakeholders.

For further information, please contact: • Mrs. Merina Jessamy, Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure Development and Implementation at 440-2271, or via email at ps@moiid.gov.gd; • Ms. Najar Andall, Chief Technical Officer at 440-2271, or via email at cto@moiid.gov.gd.

STIMULUS PACKAGE PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE

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The Government of Grenada, through the COVID-19 Economic Support Secretariat (CESS), is working tirelessly to resolve the backlog of stimulus package payments.

Public Relations Officer for the CESS, Chinnel Andrews, said they continue to process applications daily and make payments to the relevant banks and sectors.

It was noted that some individuals have not received payments for the months when the initial announcement was made by Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell.

Andrews explained that the unit is working assiduously, to rectify this matter.

She said, “We have processed numerous applications and made payouts for the months of May and June. However, there are individuals who are due to receive monies for the month of May. I want to assure the public that we are working very hard to make sure that we process all applications received and make payments to all who are eligible under the program to receive payments.”

Andrews also explained some of the difficulties, saying, “We have our cheques and balances internally that may take additional time, in addition to some of the problems that we have been encountering recently, with

PRO of C.E.S.S. - Chinnel Andrews

regards to the declaration and, so, from the employers and employees as well. So, that has posed some challenges to us. However, we’re working very hard to make sure that everybody receives. The program is for three months, the first phase is for three months and persons will receive their payments for April, May and June, once they qualify.”

Andrews urged the individuals who have applied and who have not yet received payments to contact the COVID-19 Economic Support Secretariat, for clarification.

She said, “We don’t have a stipulated date, within the month, to make payments. We process an application and send payments to the bank every day. So, persons who have not received payments, we invite you to contact us to find out the status of your application.”

PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH HOTEL REPRESENTATIVES TO VOICE CONCERN ABOUT ANOMALIES IN STIMULUS PACKAGE APPLICATIONS Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell has voiced his concerns about discrepancies discovered in stimulus package applications with the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA).

recting the mistakes that have been identified. He addressed the hoteliers, saying, “Government must be responsible in managing the resources of the country. Let us go forward, and correct the mistakes. Sacrifices must be made by all. This is our counDuring a meeting with the leadership of the try. We must work together and do what we GHTA on Wednesday July 15, Dr. Mitchell can to help, in these very crucial times that said he is troubled by reports of discrepan- we are facing.” cies in income data contained in applications for payroll support, submitted to the One of the hoteliers attending the meeting COVID-19 Economic Support Secretariat commended the Government for the pay(CESS). Additionally, in some instances, em- roll support initiative, which he said played ployees received less than 40 percent of the a critical role in enabling the hotel sector to salary, which the Government had in fact survive thus far. paid to employers.

The hoteliers agreed there is now need to He said, “We have discovered some incor- work together to find a way of developing rect reporting from businesses seeking a tourism product that is safe for locals and support from Government. When checked visitors, while still generating revenue for against Inland Revenue and National Insur- the tourism sector and Government. ance Scheme data, it was clearly showing serious discrepancies. As Minister for Fi- Tourism Minister, Dr. Clarice Modeste Curnance, this worries me.” wen, said the resumption of commercial flights from countries across the Caribbean Dr. Mitchell therefore called for the support region, viewed as low-risk, will help to reof the hoteliers and other businesses, in cor- start the tourism industry.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

Hon. Curwen said that having balanced priorities, Grenada is at the stage where it can begin opening up cautiously.

“Some areas, like within the Caribbean, we can open up for intra-Caribbean flights; with others we say mostly charters, so, that we can implement some kind of monitoring structure.”

HELP ON THE WAY FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS OF MT. RODNEY

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The Government Grenada has pledged its support to assist affected residents of Mt. Rodney, in St. Patrick, who are living along the sea coast and whose homes are in the pathway of an immediate threat of rapid soil erosion, due to the impact of the waves.

The situation is one requiring immediate attention and Member of Parliament for St. Patrick West, Hon. Anthony Boatswain, said while the situation is not unique to that side of island the safety of residents has to be given priority.

He said meetings have already been held with the residents to listen to their concerns; to ensure that they are aware that government is not blind to the situation and work is in progress to find a solution to the problem.

The St. Patrick West MP said the Breakwater Project will be continued, to help alleviate the situation, as was done in lower St. Patrick, however due to the threat of COVID-19 certain projects were put on hold and now have to be re-evaluated.

Hon. Boatswain said one of the solutions to the situation, already decided upon by his Government, is to give preferential treatment to the affected residents of the area to relocate to the Chinese low-income housing settlement in the Villa, St. Patrick, on completion of the project.

The Parliamentary Representative said the seventy-unit project is nearing

completion and expected to be handed over in the month of October 2020.

However, some of the residents have indicated that they will prefer assistance to relocate and rebuild on private lands, away from the threat of the waves, rather than move to the housing settlement.

Hon. Boatswain said some residents have already received assistance from the Government to relocate.

PHASE ONE OF ST. PATRICK ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO BE HANDED OVER IN NOVEMBER 2020

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The Government of Grenada and the OPEC Fund for International infrastructure, market access will improve and the productive sector Development St. Patrick Road Upgrade Project, a part of 24 projects andPATRICK tourism willROAD flourish.IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO BE HANDED PHASE ONE OF ST. approved by Cabinet in April 2019, is showing progression despite a three-month halt, due to the limited state of emergency issued to Parliamentary Representative, Hon. Pamela Moses, is elated that the OVER IN NOVEMBER 2020 protect Grenadians from the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. road network in St. Patrick has finally gotten the attention it deserves.

She said it has contributed significantly to employment - not only in The project contract was awarded to Caribbean Consolidators St. Patrick, but also for skilled labour from St. John, St. Mark and St. Contractors Company, at a cost of $8.3 million. The first phase of the Andrew. project includes 8.2 kilometers of road extension, from Poyntzfield to Morne Fendue, along with the construction of culverts, box drains,of Grenada The Government and thetoOPEC Fund International Development Patrick Road With reference the GRU GRUfor Bailey Hill Road, Minister Moses St. noted retaining walls, concrete reinforced sidewalks and four bridges. that this s-shaped road was difficult for drivers to maneuver, especially Upgrade Project, a part of 24approaching projects approved

by Cabinet Aprilthe 2019, is showing progression when the corners.

This in made road extremely Minister for Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, dangerous, for locals and visitors alike, when vehicles met at the Transport and Implementation, Hon. Gregory Bowen; Parliamentary despite a three-monthcorners halt, due thetolimited state of the emergency issued to protect andtohad reverse.

With current improvement beingGrenadians Representative for St. Patrick East, Hon. Pamela Moses and a team made, the entire area is now safer and the Minister commended the of engineers from the Ministry, including Project Manager, Khalil Government, for the actions taken. from the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saliba of CCCC, recently conducted a site visit to the project. The visit comes approximately one month after the reopening of the Talks are ongoing for the commencement of part two of the St. Patrick construction sector and is in keeping with the Ministry’s mandate to The project contract was Caribbean Contractors Roadawarded UpgradetoProject, whichConsolidators will involve similar works Company, being doneat a cost of stay in line with the date for completion. Saliba informed Hon. Bowen from the western side in St. Patrick to Duquesne, St. Mark. and the team that the project is now fifty-five percent complete and $8.3 million.

The first phase of the project includes 8.2 kilometers of road extension, from that his company can deliver in full, by November 2020.

Poyntzfield to Morne Fendue, along with the construction of culverts, box drains, retaining The Hermitage Bridge, Hermitage Bridge South and Belmont Bridge, have been completed. Saliba said the construction of the Poyntzfield Bridge, which easily floods during the rainy season, should reinforced be walls, concrete sidewalks and four bridges. completed within six weeks.

Minister forRoad Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport and Saliba also said they are expediting work on the St. Patrick Upgrade Project, to avoid potential delays posed by the rainy season.

Implementation, With regard to the road work, he doesn’t anticipate any hindrance. TheyHon. Gregory Bowen; Parliamentary Representative for St. Patrick East, Hon. have commissioned a new commercial asphalt plant at Perseverance, in St. George, to enable them to construct the most durable road surface, estimated to last at least fifty years and accommodate the increased tonnage from large equipment traversing the area.

Hon. Bowen said that he was extremely impressed with the quality of work done and the pace with which it has been achieved. He also said the St. Patrick Road Improvement Project will be the driving force to rebuild the economy, after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also a number of other public and private construction projects to come on stream. Minister Bowen said he is optimistic that, with upgraded

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NIS CONTINUES TO PROVIDE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Just under $1 million has been paid out under the National Insurance Scheme Unemployment Benefit.

This benefit was a direct response to the workers who were laid off, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 5,700 workers received payments, to date.

The NIS has set aside $10 million for this initiative, to be paid over a six-month period. Once individuals continue to be unemployed, they are expected to submit a claim monthly. However, even during this difficult time, some employers failed to claim the benefit on behalf of their employees.

NIS Public Relations Officer, Lisa Douglas, says a new platform was designed, so that claims can be submitted by employees who are experiencing issues with their employers. Prior to this new platform, the old one only allowed for the employer to make claims.

Douglas also noted that the unemployment benefit was not a part of the NIS suite of services, to which workers were required to contribute. The need for the unemployment benefit, which became necessary due to COVID-19, came at a time when the NIS was undergoing

its own sustainable restructuring process.

Douglas said, “We have reached to a situation, since 2016, where we are now on a monthly basis paying out more in benefits than we are collecting in contributions. So, right now we’re using investment income to take care of the shortfalls.”

The unemployment benefit began May1, 2020 and continues until October 31,2020.

2020 PLANT DISTRIBUTION SEASON DECLARED OPEN

Later in the year more than 15,000 more plants will be available, for example, plums, nutmeg, soursop, mangoes and more.

The Minister for Agriculture and Lands places a high level of importance on the production of plants, as this is one way in which the Ministry can contribute to a sustainable agriculture sector.

PLEASE NOTE: • The sale of plants began on Thursday July 16 and continues as long as plants are available.

• Individuals, who submitted applications, will receive their plants within the next two weeks. They will be contacted by telephone and be informed about the date, time and location for collection.

The 2020 plant distribution season was declared open on Tuesday July 14, at the Mirabeau Plant Propagation Station, by Minister for Agriculture and Lands, Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford.

This opening of the plant distribution season signifies a new season of planting, with faith and hope for a great harvest to come. This is the period when the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands commences sale of the various crops that have been propa-

gated at its plant propagation stations: Boulogne, Maran Ashenden and Mirabeau.

Forty thousand, eight hundred and one (40,801) plants will be available, including: • More than 12,000 Cocoa Plants • More than 8,000 Nutmeg Plants • 7,247 Soursop • 4,885 Different Ornamental plants • 8,083 species of Minor Fruits and spices

• Applicants MUST wait on their call from the Ministry, before coming to receive the plants.

• Sale of plants for non-applicants will be on July 21 and 28 and the entire month of August.

• ALL COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols will be enforced.

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FIVE GRENADIANS GRADUATE FROM THE LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA By: The Embassy of The Republic Cuba

Eric Jack, Throl Mason, Amb Charles, Cliffy Bowen, Ishma Harford and Jarvin Edwards

On Thursday 16th July five more Grenadian students graduated and received their medical degrees from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) (Escuela Latino Americana de Medicina) and on Friday 17th, one Student Graduated from the “Marta Abreu” Central University of Las Villas, Santa Clara with a degree in Mathematics.

These graduation ceremonies occurred in the midst of the global fight against Covid-19 compounded by all the social and

Michael C Noel

financial challenges that Cuba is facing due to the tightening of the US blockade.

The official ceremony on the 16th was held at the University of Medical Sciences of Pinar del Río. (Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Pinar del Río). It was attended

by Local Government Officials, University faculty and Grenada’s Ambassador to Cuba, Her Excellency Claris Charles as well as other Caricom Ambassadors.

At the celebratory dinner following the cer-

emony in Pinar del Rio, H.E. Ambassador Claris Charles implored them to be exemplary doctors, compassionate, patriotic and especially grateful to Cuba for affording them the opportunity to achieve their goals and secure a better future for themselves, their families and Grenada.

The students who graduated were: 1. Eric Nazim Jack, MD 2. Throl K Mason MD 3. Ishma D. Harford MD 4. Jarvin Anthony Edwards MD 5. Cliffy Bowen MD 6. Michael Camilo Noel, Mathematics The Embassy of Grenada in Cuba wishes them the best in their career and in their personal lives. They have represented Grenada with dignity, they have performed well academically despite the many challenges, they have sacrificed and they are what Grenada needs in their future sons and daughters.

Luncheon with Ambassador Charles

Vaya con Dios Viva Fidel Viva Cuba