A Recent Covid-Related Policy Decision by the Antigua/Barbuda Government Sparks Debate on Montserrat’s Relationship with the Neighbouring Territory
The new policy by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda requiring all arriving passengers to be COVID-19 vaccinated has ignited a passion debate about Montserrat’s relationship with the neighboring state.
The policy, which the government in St. Johns says is designed to curb the spread of COVID-19, also applies to persons in transit to and from Montserrat.
Callers on the popular What’s On Your Mind radio programme believe the government here should negotiate a solution with Antigua, currently Montserrat’s only gateway.
On September 15, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbudaannounced new measures as part of its policy on the management of COVID-19.
One such measure is that as of October 1, 2021, all arriving passengers are required to have received at least one dose of a World Health Organization-approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or a single dose vaccine to be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda.
Children below the age of eighteen years arriving at a port of entry are exempted from this requirement.
The COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in Antigua and Barbuda are oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine, Sputnik V and
Pfizer.
Meantime, In related News, Premier, the Honourable Joseph Farrell has indicated that persons may soon have the option of choosing another COVID-19 vaccine.
To date only the AstraZeneca vaccine has been available on Montserrat.
Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell.