BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, November 18, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly, Senator the Honourable Dr. Bernicia Nisbett, made a brilliant and powerful presentation to the parliamentary debate on the COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2020, that was unanimously passed in the National Assembly on Tuesday, November 17.
Thedeputy speaker commenced her presentation by lauding the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the National COVID-19 Task Force for the careful management of the coronavirus situation in the Federation that resulted in only 19 confirmed cases of virus, all fully recovered, and zero deaths.
Thehonourable senator noted that the Government responded early and swiftly in response to the pandemic by implementing protocols, which included lockdowns and the closing of the Federation’s borders, and enacted mandatory non-pharmaceutical measures such as the wearing of masks in public spaces as necessary measures to further protect citizens and residents.
“Some argued that these measures were barbaric and infringed on the human rights of the people of the Federation but Mr. Speaker, it was those measures and the immediate activation of them that have kept and is keeping this Federation safe from the COVID entering the communities of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Senator Nisbett.
A medical practitioner by profession, the honourable senator also used her presentation to the National Assembly to publicly thank all frontline workers for their hard and dedicated work during these most difficult times.
Sheadded, “Hats off to the district medical officers, the institutionalized doctors, the Matron at the JNF General Hospital, the community and hospital nurses, the EMTs, the lab technicians and last but not least, the auxiliary staff. I want to thank them for the tremendous job they have been doing every day to ensure the safety of our nation.”
Moreover, Deputy Speaker Nisbett said the $120-million stimulus package introduced by the Government in March of this year, in response to persons adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was instrumental in keeping thousands of citizens and residents afloat during the economic downturn.
AsDeputy Speaker, Senator Nisbett also had her first occasion to fill in for Speaker of the House, the Honourable A. Michael Perkins, during Tuesday’s parliamentary debate.
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