by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): With the number of cases and hospitalizations rising, what is the likelihood of the partial lockdown being extended?
“The control measure will not be lifted until we have full compliance and see a consistent reduction in the number of new cases,” said Superintendent Cromwell Henry at the June 21 press briefing hosted by the National Emergency Operations Center.
He continued saying it is up to the public on whether or not the restrictions will end. The current Statutory Rules and Orders (SRO) 24 of 2021 expire on June 26, and the state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor-General, Sir. S.W Tapley Seaton, expires on July 6.
Currently, there are 273 active cases in St. Kitts and Nevis, with nine of those cases hospitalized.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws also announced the second COVID-19 related death four days after the first death was announced.
With all that being said, are people adhering to the partial lockdown restrictions?
During his presentation, Henry reported on the number of tickets issued, “one hundred and ninety-one tickets have been issued over the period May 21 to June 20 for failing to wear masks in public and hosting social events without permission. 119 of such tickets were issued on St. Kitts and 72 on Nevis.”
The tickets carry a fine of EC$100.
He also noted that 31 people were arrested for breaching curfew eight of whom were charged, which carries a fine of five thousand dollars or up to six months in prison or both.
Henry ended his presentation by stating that adherence to the protocols would facilitate the slowing of the spread of the virus and the easing of the restrictions.
