by Clive Bacchus
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris announced curfew and lockdown measures from 6 pm to 5 am effective Saturday, June 12 until Saturday, June 26, as the country records 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in two days.
The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis now has 94 confirmed actives cases of the coronavirus.
” Yesterday, Thursday, June 10th, 2021, at an emergency meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, informed us that the number of positive cases continues to grow. It was reported that there were eleven (11) positive cases on Wednesday and that on Thursday we have recorded another twenty-five (25) positive cases. This brings the total number of cases to one hundred and fifty-five (155), an increase of one hundred and eleven (111) cases in a few short weeks,” Dr. Harris told the nation in an address Friday night.
“After a thorough evaluation of the situation on the ground, the Cabinet has agreed that we needed to restrict the movement of people, to contain the movement of the virus. We will therefore place the Country under lockdown as of Saturday, 12th June from 6:00 pm for fourteen (14) days to Saturday, 26th June in the first instance.
Under this lockdown, the Cabinet has determined that people should stay at home over the next two weeks. There shall be a curfew daily from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am.”
The Prime Minister also outlined the measures in effect between 5 am and 6 pm, beginning on Saturday, June 12.
1. All essential businesses and offices may continue their business operations by allowing their employees to work remotely from home, utilizing virtual means, unless those employees are permitted to work under a special exemption or are designated as being essential workers. Where a business is unable to continue its business operations by its employees working remotely from home, the business shall cease its operations for the next two weeks in the first instance. All persons employed within the Public Service, a Statutory Body, a State-owned Enterprise or the Courts shall work remotely from home, except as may otherwise be directed by the Cabinet Secretary.
2. All gaming establishments will be closed.
3. Absolutely no mass events.
4. Beaches are to be used for the purpose of exercise only during this period.
5. No street vending for the next fourteen (14) days in the first instance. Vending will only be allowed at the public market with controlled spaces, where strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols must be observed.
6. There will be no in-person dining at Restaurants and Bars. However, take-out and delivery will be permitted.
7. Security officers will be enforcing protocols with respect to social distancing and mask-wearing. Persons not in compliance will be penalized.
8. Ferry service operations will be subject to heightened restrictions to curtail non-essential inter-island travel.
Dr. Harris said the details of all measures will be formalized in the Statutory Rules and Orders.
