By Kevon Browne
St. Kitts-Nevis (WINN): During the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) press briefing on December 9, Medical Chief of Staff Cameron Wilkinson shared the new guidelines for mass gatherings starting with what constitutes a mass gathering in the context of COVID-19.
Prior to COVID-19, a mass gathering may have meant a stadium filled with hundreds or thousands of people such as St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival Queen Pageant or J’ouvert. Now in the context of COVID-19, a mass gathering within the federation can be seen as a crowd of 100 or more.
The introduction of these guidelines is a combination of outcries from the entertainment industry and concerns from health authorities and law enforcement.
Wilkinson went on to describe some other aspects of the new guidelines to be adopted with immediate effect.
A major part of the new guidelines is the introduction of Caps.
Wilkinson added that consideration will be given with respect to whether the event is indoors or outdoors. Permission will not be given to any event that is indoors with more than 100 persons as the risk of spread is greater indoors compared to outdoors explained Wilkinson.
In order for event organizers and promoters to gain approval, Wilkinson addressed the requirements necessary for the clearance of their event.
Read a Synopsis of the New Guidelines here.
A full copy of the guidelines should be disseminated to the public shortly.
