On the heels of the reopening of the island’s borders, another appeal has been made for persons entering the country illegally to desist from this practice.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made the plea as Dominica reopened its borders today (July 15) and welcomed home nationals and residents.
The island’s borders were closed in March as a means of curtailing the rapid spread of the COVID-19.
“I want to say to Dominicans and foreigners who are currently resident in Martinique or Guadeloupe and elsewhere that the illegal entry into Dominica should be discouraged. This idea of Dominicans coming in ‘back door’ as we call it or through illegal means is a dangerous practice.
“Now if you are currently in Martinique or Guadeloupe or anywhere else and you are stranded or in distress, I would suggest to you that you make contact with the Government officials here (Dominica) or you can make contact with the Consulate in Martinique or in Guadeloupe to indicate to them that you are in distress and you would like to get home.
“If you are able to charter a plane or a boat to come and we know that you are coming in, we will allow you to come in and subject you to certain protocols, including quarantine. But the idea of you illegally coming in, you should desist from that practice,” the Prime Minister reiterated.
According to Prime Minister Skerrit, Dominica has done a very good job of minimizing the spread of the pandemic and urged citizens to act as watchdogs.
“We have done well for ourselves as a country to contain and to manage COVID-19 in Dominica. And if we the citizens of Dominica know people who would have come into the country illegally then we need to let the authorities know that,” he further stated.
Over the years, many Dominicans have traveled illegally between Dominica and the French territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Just recently National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore threatened to deport Haitian nationals who leave and arrive in the country illegally.