On Thursday, January 30, 2020, during the second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the World Health Organization Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the People’s Republic of China, the committee agreed that the outbreak now meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO indicated that it expects further international exportation of cases which may appear in any country. It advised that all countries should be prepared for containment, which includes prevention measures, active surveillance, early detection, isolation, case management and contact tracing.

The Department of Health and Wellness of Saint Lucia has noted the escalation in the classification of the outbreak and is taking measures to restrict the possible entry of Corona Virus Disease into Saint Lucia and protect its citizens. In that regard, the government of Saint Lucia will not allow any non-national with a travel history within the last 14 days from Mainland China, (whether in- transit or originating), to enter any local port as of 12 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2020. Any national returning to Saint Lucia with similar travel history, will be quarantined for 14 days.

The Government of Saint Lucia commends the Chinese government authorities in their efforts to manage and contain the outbreak and will continue working to strengthen the local capacities against this global threat.