This advisory was issued by the Ministry of Health, Social Welfare and Gender Affairs, Department of Health on 24th February 2020.
As of 24 February 2020, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of the coronavirus in Tuvalu. Effective immediately and until further notice, as part of the Tuvalu Government’s continuing efforts to contain the global spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), now officially called COVID-19, Tuvalu borders (air and seaports) are closed to persons who have visited or transited through mainland China or any ‘high risk’ country within 14 days of their intended travel to Tuvalu. All travelers in these categories must remain in self-isolation in a country that is not ‘high risk’ for 14 days before traveling to Tuvalu.
Given the global spread of the virus, the government has decided on this measure of precaution in the interest of mitigating the risk of an outbreak of the virus in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu Government continues to work closely with its international carriers to ensure that all travelers who fall under these restrictions are not permitted to board flights from Suva, Fiji or Tarawa, Kiribati or enter Tuvalu waters on shipping vessels. Shipping vessel operators in Tuvalu are also mandated to submit their voyage memo, listing seafarers on board and report any person on board who has been sick in the last 14 days.
In addition to the existing integrated Tuvalu ‘Immigration /Customs /Health Declaration Form’, other precautionary border control measures are being conducted at the airport and seaport; including the completion of a supplementary health declaration form (specific to COVID-19) and compulsory health screening, including infrared temperature checks and further examination where necessary upon arrival.
Tuvalu deems a COVID-19 high risk country as one where there is ‘local transmission’ (i.e. COVID-19 cases with possible or confirmed transmission outside of China). This information can be sourced from WHO’s daily situational report.
General Hygiene Tips
❖ Do not travel if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice early.
❖ Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
❖ When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a
closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
❖ Tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area in China where 2019-nCoV has been reported, you have been in close contact with someone who has traveled from China or you have visited a country in the last 14 days that has reported ‘ local’ transmission of the virus.
Respiratory symptoms with fever can have a range of causes, and depending on your personal travel history and circumstances,
2019-nCoV could be one of them.
For more information about Basic Protective Measures refer to: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
For more information for the latest coronavirus confirmed case numbers refer to: https://bit.ly/31LzXSB
WHO’s daily situational report, available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports