By Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The current travel entry protocols for St. Kitts and Nevis remain in place due to data that projects a surge in COVID-19 cases in tourism source markets The United States of America and the United Kingdom along with local infection within the Federation.
That is according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Hazel Laws.
“There is a surge in the number of cases locally, there is a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in our source markets and so the question of change…our entry protocols have been guided by data and the latest information and so it is not wise to make a change at this time. The most important thing to do is to contain this present wave of COVID-19 prior to consideration of change,” the CMO said.
A total of 90 COVID-19 cases were reported for the period June 22 to 28, and 59 COVID-19 cases were reported for the period June 15 to 21. The total number of COVID-19 cases reported since March 2020 stand at 6, 022 with 5,876 reported recoveries. Case Managers are currently monitoring 103 active cases. Two people are currently hospitalised with COVID-19, in St. Kitts and Nevis respectively. According to the CMO, there have been 43 COVID-19 related deaths.
Dr. Laws shared that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that St. Kitts and Nevis has a high level of COVID-19 categorised at level 3. The CDC encourages travelers to get vaccinated before traveling to St. Kitts and Nevis. If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine, avoid travel to St. Kitts and Nevis.
Recently, Dr. Terrence Drew, leader of the St. Kitts Nevis Labour issued a statement on the country’s current travel protocols. The statement said The SKN Labour Party is demanding that the government remove the restrictions on persons coming into St. Kitts & Nevis, particularly those who are nationals and are constitutionally entitled to vote in the upcoming general elections.