Freedom Speaks Column

Reopening the Country - Part II
 
We have notice that some persons are beginning to let down their guard as it relates to preventing the spread of COVID-19.  We are grateful that we have thus far contained the spread of COVID-19 in Dominica and though it is the right thing to ease official restriction as the country works towards a full removal of the curfew and lockdown,  we must understand that we are not completely out of the woods yet given the likelihood of yet undetected spread of the virus, the continued risks posed by illegal entry into the country, and the return of our Dominican people (rightly so) who were stuck overseas including those who worked on cruise ships.

We noted in last week’s article that we can’t keep our country in a perpetual lockdown, neither is it healthy to live in fear. Consequently, we asked the following questions.  Once the lockdown is removed and the border is reopened, can we expect to avoid all risk of the re-emergency of COVID-19? How do we manage those risks and what management tools should become routine over the next two years?  So far, we discussed aspects related to random testing, capacity for treating persons who may be infected with COVID-19 and experience severe symptoms - should future rounds ensue, a need for sustained focus on proper hygiene, and maintaining appropriately adjusted physical distancing protocols.