Roseau, Dominica, January 24, 2020: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment informs the general public that the Ministry has been monitoring all alerts and other communications in relation to the new strain of coronavirus.
 
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the new coronavirus, which evidence shows originated from Central China, has presently spread to 4 other countries, South Korea, Thailand, Japan and most recently United states of America (Washington).
 
The coronavirus known to be a zoonotic (animal to animal) is now being transmitted through human to human contact with a range of Flu symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever and development of pneumonia or Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).
 
As with all new viruses and infections the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, says it will be guided by international alerts from expert and in keeping with International Health Regulations (IHR) of which it has done throughout the years.
 
The Ministry has reportedly been in close communication with regional and international partners, and also engaged key National Stakeholders in Health (Surveillance team) and other sectors in discussions on key elements of activation of National Response Plan, and will be updating any information as may be required

Referring to the 2019 manifesto of the UWP, Roseau North MP Danny Lugay says millions must be redirected to agriculture to modernize the sector.He shared that opinion on the program the ‘Workers Voice’ last night

Lugay says in other to encourage farmers to return to the farms and to catch the interest of young farmers, there should be investments made in farm roads and in technicians.

Roseau North MP, Danny Lugay.

Today will see the commencement of VF Inc’s 10th Phenomenal Women Symposium. Speaking to Q95 news on Friday, CEO of VF Inc Dr. Valda Henry, expressed that participants of this three-day Symposium at the Cabrits I Dominica, must expect for some ‘mind boggling presentations.’
Dr. Henry says Nathalie Charles will also be doing a presentation on the importance of Health and Wellness.

CEO of VF Inc, Dr. Valda Henry.

President of the Dominica Cycling Association (DCA) Ronald Charles, is expressing appreciation to the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC) for its amazing support to the association and the sport of cycling.
 
President Charles says 2020 Is gearing up to be a promising year for the Dominica Cycling Association. The DOC was also recognized at a special meeting of the DCA earlier this month.

​President of the Dominica Cycling Association, Ronald Charles.

Dominica has won a platinum HSMAI Award.CEO of Discover Dominica Authority Colin Piper says this is a significant achievement for the destination, as these awards are the premier awards given to marketing and PR agencies in the US.

​Piper says there are significant benefits to the destination post this award.

​CEO of Discover Dominica Authority, Colin Piper

​Manager of the Project Implementation Unit for the Dominica Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Program (DEAL CRP) Kervin Stephenson says that the $25M Program has been closed for crop and fisheries for re-evaluation.
 
He says that in some regions there is a low turnout of farmers, particularly in the north.

Stephenson says the livestock program is still open and should be closed on January 30th.
 
The livestock program has so far received 90+ applications, with the target being 200 livestock officers.

Manager of the Project Implementation Unit for the DEAL CRP, Kervin Stephenson.

​CEO of VF Inc Dr Valda Henry is all smiles for the 10th Annual Phenomenal Women Symposium, which is gearing up to be the biggest one yet. Dr Henry says the event takes place from 24th to 26th January 2020, at the Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth, and is being held under the theme: “What you conceive you can achieve, because God has the power to deliver what he promises.”
 
VF Inc is a consulting firm based in Dominica which provides services in a variety of areas including corporate governance and human resource management. Dr Henry completed a PhD in Finance at the University of Warwick in 2001.

​Dr. Henry went on to list the speakers who will complete the powerful presentations expected over the weekend.

​CEO of VF Inc, Dr. Valda Henry

​Mayor of Roseau Sandra Ermine Royer is advising residents to be on the lookout for people with bad intentions this carnival season and report them. All Dominicans and tourists are being asked to be responsible during the upcoming Carnival celebrations.
 
Royer said persons should avoid getting involved in practices which could negatively impact their lives.
 
“Too many young people fall victim to the ill-effects of drugs and alcohol abuse as well as unsafe sex practices. We want all carnival lovers to have a wonderful time this season, however, people must enjoy themselves responsibly. Carnival is only for a time and mistakes that you make during this time can affect the rest of your life,” she cautioned. Royer made these statements during the official opening of Mas Domnik 2020 on Saturday.
 
Dominica’s Carnival season for this year runs from the 18th January 2020 to 26th February 2020.

​Marketing Executive at the Discover Dominica Authority Samantha Letang says all lights are Green for 20th February 2020, as the ladies vying for the Miss Dominica 2020 Pageant title get set to hit the stage.
 
Letang expressed the level of preparation and work put in by the young ladies, stating that if the show was to be called at any time, they would be ready.
 
Ms Letang shared with the public the dates scheduled for the launchings of the contestants which continue this Saturday 25thJanuary 2020. This Saturday will see Kimra Charles of Fond Cole being launched at 1pm at the Reunion Park opposite Ma Boyd’s Bar.

​Also being launched on Saturday is Melanie Charles of Goodwill, at the Lindo Park at 5pm.On Sunday another two contestants are scheduled to be launched, Savahnn James of Roseau, and Kadisha Joseph of Fond Cole’.

​Ms. Letang is encouraging patrons to come on out to show support to these lovely queens.

​Officer in charge of the OECS and CBU Mr. Ricardo James addresses the issue of free movement of persons is OECS and how can we leverage that movement.
 
James gave some details as to what is meant by free movement and explained the three main components implemented to achieve such free movement. These steps deal with user identification travel, free movement of labor, and free movement of families. He spoke at the recent DAIC Eggs and Issues breakfast meeting earlier this week.

​In response to a question of “how do we leverage free movement to the benefit of the private sector and citizens of the country?” James responded by saying there will be an increase of options in the working pool, and in the case of Dominica where the population is small, it will serve as benefit.

​In addition, the rights of establishment in the OECS would mean an increase in business owners setting up shop in different countries, hence increasing jobs and private sector investment.

​Officer in charge of the OECS & CBU, Mr. Ricardo James