ST. Kitts-Nevis (NEOC): Guidelines for Mass Gatherings as per December 9, 2020 NEOC COVID-19 Briefing.
What’s a mass gathering?
An event counts as a “mass event” if the number of people it brings together is so large that it has the potential to strain the planning and response resources of the health system in the community where it takes place.
Consideration must be given to the location and duration of the event as well as the number of participants.
Guiding Principles:
Permission must be obtained from the Chief of Police (COP) and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to host mass gatherings.
Events should not be advertised until permission is obtained.
A gathering refers to a planned or spontaneous event, indoors or outdoors, with a small number of people participating or a large number of people in attendance such as a community event, concert, festival, conference, parade, wedding, or sporting event.
Guiding Principles – Risk:
The risk of Covid-19 spreading at events and gatherings increases as follows:
Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.
More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear masks, do not share objects, and come from the same local area
Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area
Guiding Principles – Caps:
There will now be a cap on the number of persons who can attend mass gatherings/social events.
In addition to the number of persons scheduled to attend, factored in will be music, dancing, use of alcohol and the duration of the event in making its decision.
Consideration will also be given to whether the event is indoor or outdoor with a more favorable look on outdoor events Event sizes that will fall into three categories based on the number of patrons attending (not inclusive of staff).
- Small 25-50
- Medium 51 – 100
- Large 101-150 The maximum cap on events until further notice is 150. Small family and friends gatherings under 25 do not require permission from the Commissioner of Police
Permission will not be given for any indoor large event of over 100 as the risk of virus spread is greater in these situations.
→ A minimum of 30 square feet per person for indoor events will be required for adequate social distancing.
Guiding Principles – site visit
A visit will be made to the site to confirm the square footage submitted on the request.
The outdoor event locations will be visited to determine if proper social distancing can be done to host the event.
If the local COVID-19 Outbreak progresses with the occurrence of isolated clusters of cases and community transmission – all social gatherings and events will be stopped until the COVID – 19 outbreak is contained.
Event Promoters/Entertainers/Organizers Requirements:
Tax Clearance and valid Business License from Inland revenue.
Written outline of their protocols for hosting the event including venue layout and security plan.
Submit an application online via the https://police.kn/ website provided by Police at least 15 days prior to the event.
Response to submission will be given within 3 to 4 days of application.
Other matters addressed in guidelines:
Promoting healthy behavior that reduce spread
Staying home when appropriate
Hand Hygiene and respiratory etiquette
Wearing face mask
Adequate supplies
Maintaining healthy environments
Physical barriers and guides
Food service
Shared objects
Communication systems
Preparing for when someone gets sick
A full copy of the guidelines should be disseminated to the public shortly.
