BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 11, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – In its efforts to halt the spread of the COVID-19 disease within the Federation, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken the difficult but necessary decision to place the country under further restrictions as of Saturday, June 12 from 6pm for a total of fourteen (14) days to Saturday June 26 in the first instance.
Itmust be stressed that there is not a 24-hour lockdown or a total lockdown.
“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, 12 June from 6pm for fourteen (14) days to Saturday 26 June in the first instance. Under this lockdown, the Cabinet has determined that people should stay at home over the next two weeks. There shall be a curfew daily from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris in a televised address to the nation this evening (Friday, June 11).
PrimeMinister Harris stated that this measure will break the virus’ transmission cycle, causing the number of cases to fall and will also give health care workers and contact tracers time to get ahead of the virus and control its spread.
“Our number one priority in this fight against COVID-19 is, and has always been, to keep our people safe and we will do whatever it takes to protect our people. Thankfully, 61 of these cases are fully recovered while 94 remain active, with 4 hospitalized, one being very ill. We have listened carefully to the Health professionals and have been guided by the science. That is precisely why we took tough measures early to contain the virus,” Dr. Harris added.
TheGovernment has also implemented a number of additional measures designed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
EffectiveSaturday, June 12, 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 special exemption or are designated as being essential workers; all gaming establishments will be closed; there will be absolutely no mass events; beaches are to be used for the purpose of exercise only during this period; there will be no street vending for the next 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.
Moreover, there will be no in-person dining at restaurants and bars, however, take-out and delivery will be permitted and ferry service operations will be subject to heightened restrictions to curtail non-essential inter-island travel.
Prime Minister Harris further noted that security officers will be out in their numbers enforcing protocols with respect to social distancing and masks wearing. Persons not in compliance with these protocols will be penalized.
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