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PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Health's Collective Prevention Services (CPS) updated the Customs Department and Coast Guard recently about the country's Ebola preparedness plan.
The two disciplined services were given information about the travel ban that was announced by Public Health Minister Cornelius de Weever on Monday, October 27, as well as the various screening layers that exist prior to a person entering St Maarten. The levels of screening entail exit screening measures by countries affected by Ebola and entry screening measures in the United States of America, Europe and St. Maarten.
The Customs Department has drafted a response plan since the meeting was held at the end of October. CPS is waiting for the Coast Guard's draft preparedness plan along with what resources would be required, to review how these agencies would deal with a suspected Ebola case.
Stakeholders were updated about the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) protocols that are in place for cruise passengers and crew, a press release on Tuesday said.
Also discussed at the meeting was the inspection of the shipping manifest prior to a vessel docking at one of the country's ports.
Present for the meeting were representatives of SXM Princess Juliana International Airport, Port of St. Maarten, the Health Inspectorate, Public Health Department, Cabinet of the Health Minister, CPS, Risk Communications Team, Department of Communication, Ambulance, Civil and Shipping Inspectorate.
The Health Ministry is monitoring ongoing developments in West Africa daily as it relates to the Ebola virus outbreak that has infected 14,413 persons and killed 5,177 up to November 11, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
