By: Clive Bacchus
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris made the announcement in an address to the nation at 4:30 pm Friday, May 22.
” … Tomorrow Saturday, the day of limited operations will begin at 6:01 am and end at 7:00 pm, from Sunday the day will begin at 5:01 am and end at 7:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, ” the prime minister said. ” From Monday to Friday, hours of limited operation will remain at 5:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. We are now operating near normal every day, save for the nightly curfews. I must remind you that the nightly curfew remains in place and it must be adhered to. It will start at 8:00 pm and end at 5:00 am the next day Monday to Friday, and it will begin at 7:00 pm and end at 5:00 am on Saturday and Sunday.”
Churches in the Federation are also expected to open their doors to worshippers this weekend
” …our Churches will open their doors to their congregations for worship on Saturday and Sunday this weekend between the hours of 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. There will be conditions, of course, as we continue to seek to protect our people. I am advised that the conditions and protocols surrounding the resumption of corporate worship have already been conveyed to the Church leadership.”
Pertaining to the June 5 elections, the PM said he was committed to public safety and the rule of law and urged social distancing protocols be respected by all political campaigners.
“COVID-19 forced us to adjust the way we are accustomed to campaign and bring our ideas and vision to influence people to select the candidate of their choice. Our Medical Experts have strongly advised against mass gatherings, which are fertile ground for the transmission of the disease by asymptomatic persons,” said the prime while adding, ” … those vying for seats in the Parliament are resorting to innovative ways to bring their programmes to you. Virtual campaigns, social media, and other innovative and creative ways are the new normal.”
St. Kitts and Nevis has no recorded COVID-19 death and all 15 confirmed cases have recovered.
Dr. Harris also asserted that the country’s borders would remain closed to international commercial flights for the general elections
“Our borders will continue to remain closed to international commercial flights and visitors so as to prevent and/or delay the possibility of importing any new cases, ” asserted Dr. Harris while not ruling out arrivals from abroad.
” There is a procedure that has been established and is in practice, which must be followed if requests for entry are made. Anyone entering our Country must go through a mandatory or a compulsory quarantine period up to a minimum – I stress, up to a minimum – of 14 days, after which they must be tested and, if found to be negative, they will be reintegrated in the community. If they are found to be positive, they will have to be isolated until they are fully recovered as per World Health Organization’s guidelines.”
