JUNE 19, 2020 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of Grenada to the United States of America, in collaboration with our Ministry for Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that it has been successful in repatriating 57 Nationals stranded in the United States due to COVID-19.

JetBlue Flight 8101 departed JFK International Airport today, June 19, 2020 at 8:00am and will arrive at the Maurice Bishop International Airport at approximately 1:05pm.

Ambassador Smith traveled to New York to see the Nationals off and deliver care packages containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, toiletries and snacks for the journey.

As communicated to Nationals on the Embassy’s COVID-19 Repatriation Database, this JetBlue flight is guided by the policies set forth by the Ministry of Health for a controlled re-entry process.

The Embassy has been working tirelessly to bring nationals home safely, in-keeping with the resources of the Ministry of Health to manage all possible threats – to those being repatriated, and their loved ones at home – from the dangerous and deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

The borders are still closed, but Government is moving forward with a phased acceptance of stranded nationals. This approach provides Government with the necessary time to tighten protocols and continue building capacity in terms of testing equipment, contact tracing, and monitoring procedures in preparation for reopening.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the Embassy of Grenada in collaboration with the Consulate General in Toronto, hosted a town hall for over 80 persons on the database to brief them on the protocols that will govern their repatriation.

All passengers on this JetBlue flight have agreed to comply with the protocols stipulated for their repatriation and have provided proof of having been tested for COVID-19 in the United States prior to boarding the flight.

They will be tested immediately upon arrival in Grenada and quarantined for a minimum of 2-4 days. Passengers are required to bear the cost of quarantine, but the Embassy was able to secure funding from The Shafik Gabr Foundation and Healing Wings International to cover the cost of testing in Grenada to total EC$240 per National.

While this is a huge win, the Embassy acknowledges that the number of Nationals on the COVID-19 Repatriation Database far exceeds those returning home on today’s flight, and stands ready to assist those still stranded abroad in any way possible.