Barbados is to implement mandatory two-week quarantine for people whose travel history puts them at risk of exposure to the new coronavirus.

This was announced today in the House of Assembly by Minister of Health and Wellness Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic as he asked for his ministry to be given an extra 1.5 million dollars to equip the quarantine facilities.

He outlined in detail the measures government has put in place to deal with the virus threat including health officers equipped with handheld temperature monitoring devices at all ports of entry.

The authorities are still monitoring 19 people who were asked to remain at home for self-quarantine. These are people who though considered low risk, are being kept under surveillance due to their travel history.

But for more high-risk cases there will be a special quarantine centre in St. Lucy.