The Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence has commenced the process of bringing students studying abroad back to Dominica aid the covid-19 pandemic.
Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence, Honourable Octavia Alfred noted during a press briefing that her ministry that students will be arriving as early as June 9th 2020.
“The Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence is very happy to report that the Government of Dominica is ready to repatriate our students who expressed their desire to come home. The Ministry of education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Security and the Prime Minister’s Office have worked tirelessly to bring our students home. The Government has secured two flights operated by Silver Airlines to take the first group of students in on Tuesday June 9th 2020. One flight will leave Fort Lauderdale with fifty students. Although the flight has a capacity of seventy, regulations require that only fifty can embark on this port. This flight will arrive in San Juan at 10:30 for refueling. There, another twenty students will embark to leave for Dominica. If all goes well this group of students will arrive home around midday,” Minister Alfred stated.
The education Minister went on to explain that one hundred students will arrive in the first instance. She noted that thee students will undergo mandatory medical screenings upon arrival before being transferred to a fourteen day quarantine.
“On that same day an additional group of thirty students will embark a second flight leaving San Juan at 1 p.m. This means that by the grace of God one hundred of our precious students will be home. Logistics for these two flights are in motion. Arrangements with airlines are complete. The list of students and other necessary information have been submitted to relevant authorities. Students have been informed. These students will be expected to follow the protocols which are in place for arrival in Dominica. They will be required to wear a mask and exercise hand hygiene and proper respiratory etiquette. They will be required to complete screening to include a covid-19 test and assessment by medical health authorities. They will serve a fourteen day quarantine in the Government facility at which they will be responsible for their essential hygiene and personal supplies during the quarantine period. They will be expected to adhere to the additional quarantine guidelines as advised by the health authorities,” she explained.
Minister Alfred further noted that students in other countries will be assisted after the mandatory quarantine period is over for the first group of students.
“Groups of students from Canada, Barbados, Trinidad, China, the United Kingdom and other countries will be facilitated by the 24th of June. This is so because he quarantine period for the first group of students will end on June 23rd 2020 and adequate time is required for the facility to be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the other group of students. Some of our students are on their final year of studies and will not be required to return. However, the Ministry of Education advise that students will be responsible for their return travel to their respective place of study for their new academic year,” Minister Alfred added.