MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19 AND PETS

The Ministry of Health would like to reassure the general public that all COVID-19 related health advice sent out via text messages from our mobile service providers, Digicel and FLOW, and purporting to be from the Ministry of Health is in fact authentic advice from the Ministry. The Ministry and the wider TCIG continues to work along with all stakeholders to respond to this national public health emergency, and this includes the dissemination of text messages through our mobile service providers.

As such, the Ministry would like to ease public concern regarding a particular message which was disseminated recently, giving advice in relation to COVID-19 spread and pets. According to guidelines from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), as per their website, evidence has shown that it is possible for humans to infect animals with COVID-19. However, there has been no confirmations of passing the virus from animals to humans. As investigations continue and new information is being learnt about COVID-19, it is still recommended that pet owners continue to practice good hygiene when handling and interacting with their pets.

We love and care dearly for our pet companions, so let’s safeguard them and ourselves. The Ministry of Health trusts that this advice will help to ensure that pets and their owners continue to have a loving and healthy relationship that last beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Further advice will be added to the Ministry of Health’s Coronavirus website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/, in the coming days. For more information on the OIE’s guidance, please visit their website: https://www.oie.int/en/scientific-expertise/specific-information-and-recommendations/questions-and-answers-on-2019novel-coronavirus/

For general COVID-19 related health inquiries, you can contact the Ministry of Health via (649) 244-WASH (9274) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or through any of our Health Promotions & Advocacy Unit social media accounts. For the latest news, information and advice from the Ministry of Health please visit our Coronavirus website, www.gov.tc/moh/coronavirus/. If you are experiencing symptoms or have a COVID-19 related emergency, then please call our Coronavirus Hotline via (649) 333-0911 and (649) 232-9444. We also reemphasize the importance of staying home during this time of lockdown, please help our frontline essential workers by all of us doing our part.