Caribbean News Online
Due to the continuous growth of new COVID-19 cases on the island, the government of St Kitts and Nevis has decided to place the country into a 14-day lockdown.
Prime Minister Timothy Harris made the announcement in an address to the nation earlier.
“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.”
Harris said that there were 36 new COVID-19 cases in just 48 hours – 11 cases on Wednesday & 25 cases on Thursday. The total active cases of COVID-19 in St. Kitts & Nevis is now 94.
Within the next 14 days, 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 further explained that the government response has always been and will contiue to be a “life first stragety”
“A lockdown may result in lost earnings, early business closures and inconsequential psychosocial implications. These are some of the things we intend to mitigate as we seek to balance the consequences of these measures against the imperative of “life first.”
The government hopes that the new measures will give us respite that should allow for effective control in containing and restricting the spread of the virus.
Harris also asked the public to comply with the non-pharmaceutical protocols and be vaccinated, stressing that immunization continues to be the path out of COVID-19’s shadow.
New Measures During The 14-Day Lockdown
The following measures will be implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 within our communities. The measures become effective from Saturday, June 12th, 2021.
- 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.
- All gaming establishments will be closed.
- Absolutely no mass events.
- Beaches are to be used for the purpose of exercise only during this period.
- 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.
- There will be no in-person dining at Restaurants and Bars. However, take-out and delivery will be permitted.
- Security officers will be enforcing protocols with respect to social distancing and mask wearing. Persons not in compliance will be penalized.
- Ferry service operations will be subject to heightened restrictions to curtail non-essential inter-island travel.