The cruise ship Costa Magica, which was due to dock at the Scarborough Port tomorrow, has changed its itinerary and will not be coming to Tobago. County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Tobago, Dr Tiffany Hoyte said the vessel will not be allowed to dock in this country because of a recently implemented travel policy.
At a news conference with Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles and other officials yesterday, she said: “They are aware of the government’s policy that persons from these six countries, if you have anyone on board, then such cruise ships will be denied entry.”
The six countries are China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Japan, and Singapore.
On its current voyage, the Costa Magica docked at St Vincent, St Martin, Martinique, and the British Virgin Islands. While the vessel was allowed to dock in St Kitts on Wednesday morning, passengers were not allowed to disembark because of suspected cases of flu-like symptoms onboard.
The vessel is on a 14-day trip through the Caribbean.
Dr Hoyte also announced that yesterday was the final day of the stipulated quarantine period for the Tobago student who returned from China on Friday 21. She said from today the student “will be allowed to move about freely as all tests done for COVID-19 were negative.”
Chief Secretary Charles dismissed claims of a lack of leadership at the THA’s Division of Health Wellness and Family Development following the resignation of the Secretary of the Division Dr Agatha Carrington and the sacking of the Tobago Regional Health Authority CEO Sheldon Cyrus.
“There is political oversight over the work of the Division of Health Wellness and Family Development,” he said, adding that it is common practice for the Chief Secretary to take responsibility for a division in the absence of the Secretary.
Charles assured that Tobago is prepared to deal with any case of COVID-19.