Government Information Service Newsletter - Vol. 1, Issue 17

NEWSLETTER GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

Vol. 1, Issue 17

Monday, Oct. 19, 2020

PRIME MINISTER IMPRESSED WITH

PROGRESS OF WORK ON KIMPTON KAWANA BAY PROJECT DETAILS ON PAGE 04

MINISTRY OF HEALTH RECORDS

TWO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 27

INSIDE PAGE STRONG ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 05 FOR 2021 PAGE 06

PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN FISHERIES SECTOR

PAGE 08

GRENADA’S CONTACT TRACING IS EFFECTIVE

AND MUCH MORE...

HEALTH MATTERS

MINISTRY OF HEALTH RECORDS TWO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 we will continue to see positive cases on island, but what is critical is our ability to enforce and the public’s responsibility to adhere to the rules of quarantine and testing.

The Ministry of Health announces the laboratory diagnosis of two new positive cases of COVID-19 on mainland Grenada.

This brings the total number of positive cases since the onset of COVID-19 on our shores to 27, of which 3 are active. The first individual is a female contact of Case 25. She is in her thirties and resides in St. Patrick. To date, she has no symptoms and has been quarantined since Oct. 11.

Currently, all 77 known contacts of Case 25 are still in quarantine, and will be retested late next week, as per the incubation period of the disease, to determine medical clearance for release.

The other individual is unrelated to Case 25.

He is a 45-year-old Grenadian national from St. Andrew, who is visiting from Canada. He arrived on Monday, Oct. 12, and has been in quarantine since his arrival. All other passengers from that Air Canada flight will remain in quarantine until they are medically cleared. It is important to underscore that passengers on board last Monday’s (Oct. 12) flight all had negative PCR test results to enter Grenada, as mandated by the rules of the state.

The Ministry of Health continues to employ every available measure to actively enforce the required safety regulations for the protection of locals and visitors. Since reopening the borders on Oct. 1, 2020 we have been actively reviewing our operations for improved efficiency and stringency. We assure that we are exerting all efforts to keep our country safe.

With the borders reopened, we expect that

There are three absolute lines of defense if we are to stay COVID-safe and those require our unqualified partnership. We will continue to test and contact trace and we expect that all individuals will follow the protocols for quarantining and practice the safety measures.

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tion of quarantine stay at one of our approved accommodation facilities for a minimum of five days. All such individuals will be tested on the fourth day and must receive a negative test result in order to be medically cleared to exit into the wider community. Based on volume, the Ministry of Health will endeavour to present test results within 1-2 days. However, no one is permitted to leave quarantine until medically cleared.

The public is reminded to practice physical distancing and safe hygiene. Everyone must also wear a mask when in public spaces, as required by the laws of the land. The virus is again active on our shores and we must continue our heightened vigilance in order to stay safe. This also includes holding each other accountable.

Together, we can limit any potential outbreak or spread of the disease.

As we continue our contact tracing, and in recognition of the dynamic nature of the disease, we ask that if you are exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, or you believe you have been exposed to someone with the virus, please self-isolate and contact us immediately to arrange to get tested.

All incoming travellers to Grenada must abide by the protocol mandates of the State. No one will be permitted without a certified negative test result and a pre-paid confirmed reserva-

Call us on mobile (473) 458-4787/(473) 5384787 or landline (473) 440-2649 or visit our website https://covid19.gov.gd/ or on Facebook at Ministry of Health Grenada.

HEALTH MATTERS

GRENADA’S CONTACT TRACING IS EFFECTIVE

Health Minister. Hon Nickolas Steele, said contact tracing, which forms one of the three defense levels that the Government of Grenada has put in place to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus, has been highly effective.

but in Tivoli specifically - that is our second level of defense to contact trace, identify individuals who were or may have been exposed and to isolate and observe and test when it is appropriate timewise.”

During the Government’s weekly Post Cabinet Press Briefing on Oct. 13, Minister Steele pointed to the effectiveness of the system given their ability to find and place in isolation 30 people, who had some form of contact with the country’s twenty-fifth positive case.

The young man in his thirties who recently came into the country from Canada, breached protocol and went into the village of Tivoli, St. Andrew.

Under the new protocols, individuals are to remain in quarantine for a minimum of four days, be tested and then await clearance by health officials.

The Health Minister said, “We have thirty direct individuals and seventeen indirect individuals that have been put into isolation/ quarantine as a result. We will keep these individuals in quarantine and observation for at least four days before we test them to see if indeed they were exposed or infected by the individual.”

Minister Steele says residents of Tivoli have been very uneasy since the news of the confirmed case, however the team continues to actively do contact tracing in the interest of all.

He said, “I want to commend the team that is working in the St. Andrew’s area in general,

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Minister Steele said, “You were in quarantine not until you are swabbed. You were in quarantine until you are told you are clear to leave quarantine.

The individual clearly, clearly understood that. The individual believed because he had a negative test on coming to Grenada and the individual told us that he is tested regularly in Canada and therefore as far as he was concerned, he didn’t have it and he did not wait for us to tell him that he didn’t have it. He assumed on his own and he took actions inappropriately because he believed one thing. In fact, up until the second test on Sunday he was still in disbelief although we had him from Saturday at our site. We removed him from where he was and we put him into our site where we had the appropriate security, additional security, because we now see him as a flight risk, so to speak, from quarantine.

He was still in disbelief until Sunday when we

Health Minister Hon. Nickolas Steele

got the second test.”

The Minister also used the opportunity to give an update in the issue of Dengue, saying that some 37 cases have been recorded in Grenada over the past month and a half, with two of the 37 cases being type three. Hon. Steele said the vector control unit has since stepped up fogging and public awareness.

PRIME MINISTER IMPRESSED WITH PROGRESS OF WORK ON KIMPTON KAWANA BAY PROJECT

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project than was initially envisioned and we look forward to the end product – the completion of construction and the formal opening in 2022. We expect Grenada’s tourism product to be revived in the not-too-distant future and developments like these help to expand and improve our offering.”

Kimpton Kawana Bay is an approved project under Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Through this programme, persons can invest at the approved price-point starting at US $220,000 and through a very thorough due diligence process, can qualify for Grenadian citizenship.

Dr. Mitchell said, “I am also convinced that Government’s decision to initiate the CBI Programme was certainly a correct one. For persons who may not understand, projects like these play a significant role in job creation, impacting the lives of hundreds of Grenadian workers. A lot of local labour has been utilised and this creates enormous spin-offs in the local economy and this is in keeping with the kind of model that this Government has consistently promoted. As we see more of this with the Range Developments project in St. David and the Grenada National Project in St. Patrick, I can say that the CBI programme has been such a blessing for Grenada.”

The CBI Programme has become a significant revenue generator for Government. In the first half of this year, the programme accounted for close to US $21 million in Government revenue.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, is impressed with the progress of work on the Kimpton Kawana Bay project.

During a recent tour of the project site, Dr. Mitchell, accompanied by Parliamentary Representative for the area, Hon. Nickolas Steele, witnessed the start of work on the construction of the fourth and final building. The project is expected to be completed in 2021, with the official opening likely to take place in 2022. The development will comprise 133 rooms and 31 suites. Dr. Mitchell welcomed the additional room stock and expressed confidence that the tourism industry will recover from the current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At present, up to 140 workers are employed and that number is likely to increase by about 100 as construction of the fourth building begins in earnest and outfitting of all buildings gets underway.

Once open, the hotel is expected to provide 300 direct jobs and the spin-off factor will provide for another 800 indirect jobs.

Dr. Mitchell said, “I must commend the project developers and investors for creating this idea and executing it. We welcome the modifications made along the way to make this an even bigger

STRONG ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR 2021

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the coming period. Additionally, my Government has undertaken broader public consultations to further inform its plans, programmes and policies.”

Prime Minister Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell attributes the positive projection for growth by the IMF to an increase in private sector projects.

Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Cécile La Grenade said Grenada’s economy will recover in 2021, with a projected 6 percent growth.

The Governor General said this while delivering the Throne Speech, on the ceremonial state opening of the fourth session of the 10th Parliament at Mt. Wheldale, in St. George.

In 2019 when the budget was presented, the outlook for 2020 was favorable with projected a GDP growth of 3.2 percent.

Months later the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic was devastating, resulting in the complete shutdown of the economy with a double-digit decline.

Her Excellency highlighted Government’s plans to bring Grenada back on track to experience growth.

She said, “My Government is projecting a strong recovery in 2021, with growth of approximately six percent, supported by a robust rebound in the construction and agriculture sectors .The rebound of tourism and tertiary education sectors is projected to be somewhat slower and will depend, to a large extent, on how quickly the global economy and travel industry recover. That said, my Government will deploy all available policy tools to stimulate a strong, job-rich recovery in 2021 and ensure that we return to a robust, sustainable and inclusive growth path.”

The Public will be given an opportunity, through consultations, to influence

the course of developmental programmes and projects.

The Governor General said, “My Government intends to pursue an ambitious programme of action. A Cabinet-appointed advisory committee is currently evaluating and refining recommendations from various sub-committees to help shape my Government’s agenda, in

The Prime Minister said, “They predicted even more than six. Therefore, we wanted to be more conservative and I think they were looking at the number of private sector projects, which clearly are now coming on stream. The Range project in St. David; the Levera Project – you’re talking a million-dollar project. People have invested over a hundred and something million dollars already and counting. In fact, we could have been further advanced in that project had it not been for the pandemic.”

The Throne Speech was unveiled under the theme: “Towards Vision 2035: Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience.”

AGRICULTURE CORNER

PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY IN FISHERIES SECTOR

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The Prime Minister noted that effecting the necessary reforms in the sector will present a formidable challenge for the new Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Yolande Bain-Horsford, and the Permanent Secretary responsible for Fisheries and Cooperatives, Michael Stephen.

National Agricultural Research

Sharing some advice, Dr. Mitchell said, “When policy decisions are taken, we must move quickly to implement them. The sector needs urgent help and we must demonOrganization strate our commitment to making the requisite improvements.”

Grow bananas better Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell

Prime Minister, Dr. the Right Hon. Keith Mitchell, has called for structural changes and greater accountability in the fisheries sector.

Continuing his series of meetings with ministers and top ministry officials, Dr. Mitchell expressed his concern about the current state of the fisheries sector.

He said, “We have to be honest with ourselves. The fisheries sector needs a complete overhaul. The management system must change and we must ensure that there is a greater level of accountability. We know what the weaknesses are and we must take quick action to address those.”

The Prime Minister also cited the issue of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as an area for quick action.

He said, “We must regain our strategic direction where MPAs are concerned.

There appears to be too much self-interest rather than doing what is best for the country as a whole. The MPA in Carriacou should serve as a model for what we should be doing in Grenada. It is well organised and providing the requisite service and we need to see that emulated across the country.”

Both the Minister and the Permanent Secretary have pledged their comExtension training guiderowing bananas mitment to work collaboratively to bring about the necessary restructuring and revitalisation of the fisheries sector.

PLANTING TIPS -

LINING AND SPACING FOR BANANAS These are the actions undertaken by the farmer to line the area to be planted and to determine the distance between plants in the lined area. The number of plants per acre can affect the profitability of the crop. Too few plants mean that there is unused space that encourages weed growth, whereas, plants that are too close create a local environment conducive to the development of diseases. To maintain even spacing between plants, the designated area for planting the bananas must be properly lined by following these steps: Step 1: You will need three sticks about 12-16 inches long, measuring tape, and one roll of Twine.

Step 2: The next step is to square off the area at one corner of the field that has been prepared for the banana plants. Establish a right angle.

Step 3: Then pull the twine to the end of the field in one direction and then in the other direction, ensuring the twines touch each of the two sticks in each of the directions of the right angle established.

Step 4: At the required spacing intervals, place 2-3 ft. length pickets to mark out where the holes are to be dug.

Banana agronomy extension guide final.indd 1

05/09/2019 14:15

Step 5: A spacing of 8 ft. X 8 ft. is usually recommended, but this could vary based on 8ft X 8ft squared area for the banana plants topography and other factors.

2020 CHILD MONTH CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

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The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information hereby informs the public that this Ministry, in conjunction with the Child Month Committee has decided that the 2020 Child Month activities will be celebrated from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15.

Although the entire month of October is officially designated as Child Month, this change became necessary given the need to prioritize alternative arrangements to support parents and teachers for the safe reopening of schools. Therefore, there was very little time to prepare for the month of activities.

Due to the need to ensure adherence to health and safety protocols and the reports of child sexual abuse, the focus will be on the safety of our children. Therefore, it is important that our nation continues to be sensitized about the need for protective procedures to keep all our children safe. Consequently, the Child Month Committee has decided that the theme for Child Month 2020 is “Keeping All Our Children Safe.”

The focus will therefore be on health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The broader theme for Child Month continues to be “Love the Child.”

Based on the situation that exists in schools due to COVID 19 protocols, especially the need for social distancing, we are scaling down activities in order to keep everyone safe.

• Activities organized by individual schools for students and parents (in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines) • An address by Minister for Education, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Information, Hon. Emmalin Pierre

Some of the activities highlighting Child Month are: • An address by the Governor General, Dame Cécile De La Grenade • LIVE forum highlighting the theme

We encourage the relevant stakeholders to engage safely and meaningfully in the 2020 Child Month activities outlined.

We wish all our children a very happy Child Month 2020!

UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION OF NEW WING AT PBC

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Work is progressing on the construction of the new wing at the Presentation Brother’s College (PBC) that will house a building tech, technical drawing and multi-science laboratory.

The project, which began on May 25, 2020, will be completed in one year. A contract was awarded to Kenny’s Construction Company and Consultancy by VIKAB Engineering Consultants Limited. On Oct. 15 the GIS visited the construction site and spoke with resident engineer with VIKAB Consultant Engineering, Dwayne Noel, on the progress of work.

He said, “It will be two and a half stories with the multi-science lab being on one story, building tech and technical drawing on the other and then a change room storage facility on the third where it would be half.

Because of the terrain, we were able to include that small portion for a change room and so on at the bottom floor. Right now, we’re about twenty percent completed on the building. In terms of where we are and where the contractor is in his progress, he is a bit delayed, but we can understand that because of the rain we’ve been experiencing for the last couple of days. I know that things would be back on track, because I’ve seen changes made by the contractor to recuperate the time lost, due to the rain for the last couple days.”

Noel says the structure is designed to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes.

“The structure itself is reinforced concrete, in terms of it being hurricane proof and so on. What we have included in this building is louvered windows, which will allow for better resistance to the hurricanes, but addi-

tionally the type of foundation is a pad footing which will increase the bearing capacity against the soil and so on and that will be of great assistance in terms of earthquakes and so on or the distribution of load from top to the bottom.”

Construction of the new wing is funded in part by the Government of the Grenada and the Caribbean Development Bank. Forty-one locals are employed on the project and that includes technical staff and labourers.

RGPF BEEFS UP TICKETING AND ENFORCEMENT FOR MASK WEARING

Police, Edvin Martin, has instructed all officers to adopt a zero tolerance approach going forward for non-compliance.

Superintendent Vannie Curwen

The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has announced it will be adopting a zero tolerance approach for failure to wear a mask in public spaces, as mandated by the Public Health COVID-19 Regulations.

Superintendent Vannie Curwen said the RGPF will become stricter in the enforcement of the regulations and in issuing tickets for any breach. He said the Acting Commissioner of

Curwen said, “It’s regrettable we had to do that, but you understand the consequences now of not doing that based on what Dr. Charles has just announced. Only this morning, Commissioner convened a meeting with senior commanders and mandated stricter enforcement of the protocols especially for non-compliance for the wearing of masks.

Therefore, we will continue to intensify our enforcement obligations and we will step up ticketing for non-wearing of masks in public since we have been very tolerant in the past.”

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The RGPF has recorded more than three violations of the Quarantine Act and has decided to apply the full extent of the law. Superintendent Curwen says the force is currently investigating matters of failure to comply with the Quarantine Act. He said, “A fine under the quarantine COVID-19 regulations is a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Unfortunately, we have had some violations regarding this particular regulations. You have just heard Dr. Charles make mention of the fact that there were violations. I want to go on record saying that in addition to the case that Dr. Charles mentioned, we have in excess of three violations from the quarantine act for which we are currently investigating. We assure the public that we are doing all that we can and with the appropriate information in our possession and the relevant investigation that needs to be done when completed, if charges are to be filed. We will hasten to do that and to bring justice to those who put all of our lives and the lives of Grenadians at risk.”

EDUCATION CORNER

GUT PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO TAMCC STUDENTS

Youth Development Minister, Hon. Kate Lewis, encouraged recipients of the 2020/2021 G.U.T. Cooperative Credit Union Scholarship to strive for greatness even in the midst of challenges.

nomic challenges, the decision was taken to increase the number of recipients.

Twenty-two students pursuing education at the T. A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) were awarded scholarships from the GUT Credit Union on Oct. 14.

She said, “You will overcome all the hurdles and the many challenges that will present itself and, believe me, there will be many challenges as you move into TAMCC studies – the two years at TAMCC, but you have to remind yourself as well that despite these challenges you are all destined for greatness.”

During the years, the credit union has been awarding ten students at the College, however, due to the global pandemic and the eco-

Minister Lewis encouraged the students to persevere.

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General Manager at the G.U.T., Retesha Boyd, explained that the intention is to ensure that some financial burdens can be eased.

Among the twenty-two recipients, is a 2019 scholarship awardee, Anisha Cyrus. She attained a GPA of over 3.5 in her first year. She said she is once again happy to be recognized

by G.U.T. She said, “With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are in times of economic and health crisis. Now, more than ever, we must learn to prevail in hard times.”

UNICOMER DONATES TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH Ten Aeroboxes, to be used by frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19, were handed over to the Ministry of Health by Unicomer Courts Grenada Limited on Oct. 14.

ribbean. The company will be donating over thirty thousand boxes throughout Latin America and the Caribbean Region.

We hope you make full use of it.”

An Aerobox is a protective covering used by doctors and healthcare workers when intubating a patient. This substantially reduces the risk of infection. It can be sanitized, disinfected and reused.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Francis Martin, underscored the importance of the boxes in the Ministry’s response to COVID-19.

Unicomer’s Country Manager, Ann Marie De Gale said over 30,000 boxes will be donated to the Health Ministries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

De Gale said, “Unicomer has seen it fit to contribute towards the COVID response in the Ca-

He commended COURTS on its timely donation.

tecting our frontline healthcare providers.

Our doctors and nurses are those managing patients at the hospital level to protect them from COVID.”

Martin said, “These boxes are going to be very important for us because, as we know, intubation of patients or when patients are coughing, it is a very high risk for COVID transmission. So, it will go a very long way in pro-

Newly appointed Permanent Secretary with responsibility for Hospital and Community Services, Hannah St. Paul, received the Aeroboxes on behalf of the Ministry.

RETAINING WALL AT MARRAST HILL COMPLETE

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Construction of a sixty-five foot retaining wall along the land slippage area at Marrast Hill, which will stabilize the road-way, is now complete.

In an interview with the GIS on Oct. 15, Desmond John, employed with Sonrise Construction Inc, said despite a few setbacks caused by the weather, the project is still on track to be completed and opened on Nov. 15, as per the contract with the Government of Grenada.

“The project entails a retaining wall sixty-five feet long by sixteen feet high with a guard rail and nineteen feet of concrete road with a double mesh A252 and eight inches thick reinforced,” John said. “The wall is one hundred percent completed and we’re in the process of taking out all the overburden, remove the wearing course that’s there presently, take away all the backfill down to a level of seven feet and replace it with good compatible material that we are laying in layers of twenty inches and compacting to get at least 105/110 proctor.”

Recent heavy rains also caused minor delays in plans for backfilling and compacting to construct a durable motorway. However, John is confident that his team will utilize the good days to ensure the job is completed within the given time frame.

“I’m confident. I’m very confident. Because the job will be completed before the November 15, but because of the curing time in order for the concrete to meet its maximum strength, so by the time the trailer trucks and so start to pass on it, it could have the resilience to withstand the load,” John said. “The schedule for the compaction is yesterday, we have a little challenge with the weather but we’re on site and every opportunity that we get we are going in and see how much we can take out.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

CLOSURE OF FREQUENTE ROAD – THE BRONX The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Implementation will commence urgent work on Frequente Road, the Bronx.

In that regard, the Frequente Road will be closed from Friday October 16th to facilitate the construction of a cross culvert which is in need of urgent repair. The general public is advised that the work is planned for six days and the road will reopen on Oct. 22, 2020.

For further information, please contact: • Mrs. Merina Jessamy, Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure Development and Implementation The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience at 440-2271 or via email at ps@moiid.gov.gd; and anticipates the cooperation of residents of the area and the general public. The public is ad• Ms. Najar Andall, Chief Technical Officer at 440-2271 or via email at cto@moiid.gov.gd. vised to utilise alternative routes.

GOVERNMENT PROJECTS PHOTO UPDATES

GRENADA/CHINA LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT AT CORINTH, ST. DAVID

GRENADA/CHINA LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT AT DUMFRIES, CARRIACOU

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GOVERNMENT PROJECTS PHOTO UPDATES

GRENADA/CHINA LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT AT THE VILLA, ST. PATRICK

THE GRENADA/CHINA LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT IN ST. MARK

GRENADA/CHINA LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROJECT IN BEAUSEJOUR, ST. GEORGE

CROSS CULVERT AND RETAINING WALL AT MT. NESBIT, ST. JOHN

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