Author: SKNISEditor

Washington D.C., 19 June 2022 (PAHO) – As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Americas, with new infections increasing by 13.9% from last week, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director, Carissa F. Etienne has called for countries to prepare their health systems to address the long-term impact of post-COVID condition (commonly known as long COVID), which may impact many in the region. Estimates suggest that 10-20% of people who have had COVID-19 may go on to experience symptoms, including persistent and severe fatigue, shortness of breath and mental health issues. And with the Americas reporting over 161 million COVID-19 cases over the…

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, July 4, 2022 (MMS-SKN) — Shoppers at five supermarkets on St. Kitts received free environmentally-friendly reusable shopping bags on Saturday July 2, as the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council (SDC) kicked off the month-long ‘St. Kitts Plastic Free July (PFJ) 2022’ activities that are aimed at sensitising the public on the dangers posed to the environment by single-use plastics. “We tried to get persons who were entering the supermarkets to accept one of our reusable shopping bags, having answered our very brief survey which was seven questions,” said Chair of St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, Mrs Diannille Taylor-Williams. “They then…

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JULY 01, 2022) — Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, at his monthly press conference on June 30, 2022, expressed his condolences and that of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) to family and friends on the recent passing of prominent members of the Nevis community. Mr. Trevoy “Trevy” Liburd of Gingerland lost his life while fishing, while Mr. Stewart Jeffers, a local businessman, died suddenly. “We have been advised of the sudden and untimely death of businessman Stewart Jeffers, known to many as the “iceman.” I was shocked to hear of his sudden passing, and I would want to extend…

Port of Spain, Trinidad – More than 47 companies and 50 labour unions from 18 Caribbean countries have agreed to a baseline policy to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the world of work. This baseline policy is the result of a joint initiative between the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation (CEC) and the Caribbean Confederation of Labour (CCL) supported by the UNFPA and ILO under the Spotlight Initiative, with generous funding from the European Union. On Wednesday 9th June, 2022, the 2nd and final online workshop was conducted to develop joint policy positions based on minimum standards for best practices. In her…

Paris/Rome – The global agrifood sector faces fundamental challenges over the coming decade, particularly the need to feed an ever-increasing population in a sustainable manner, the impacts of the climate crisis and the economic consequences and disruptions to food supply linked to the war in Ukraine, according to a report released today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2022-2031 focuses on assessing the medium-term prospects for agricultural commodity markets. The findings of the report underscore the crucial role of additional public spending and private investment in…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 1, 2022 (SKNIS): A chart appearing on social media with new bus fares that claim to come into effect today, July 1, 2022, in St. Kitts, is false and misleading information. The Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Ports wishes to state clearly that NO such increase in fares has been approved by the Government, who has the sole authority to change bus fares, which are regulated by the State. Such changes in fares can only be done after negotiations and discussions between the Ministry of Finance, the Transport Board and the relevant bus associations, in consultation with the Cabinet.…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 01, 2022 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris has publicly lauded Ministers of Government, Deputy Prime Minister the Honourable Eugene Hamilton and the Honourable Vincent Byron, who, in less than two months at the helm of their new ministries have moved several significant projects forward. Speaking at the Cabinet Press Conference on Wednesday, June 29, Prime Minister Harris said his Government is moving ahead with the drilling of a new well in Cayon in an effort to resolve the long-standing water concerns in the country. The Prime Minister…

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (June 30, 2022) — Mr. Devon Liburd has been confirmed to the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA). The appointment in his new role takes effect from July 01, 2022. The announcement was made by Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, at his monthly press conference in the Cabinet Room of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on June 30, 2022. Reacting to the new appointment, Mr. Liburd who had been serving as the NTA’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, from February 2022, told the Department of Information in an invited comment following the announcement that he is pleased…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 30, 2022 (SKNIS): Health officials in St Kitts and Nevis do not expect a change in the COVID-19 entry rules to the Federation at this time given the surging numbers of cases around the world. Chief Medical Officer, Dr Hazel Laws, addressed the issue on Wednesday (June 29) during a Cabinet Press Conference and said that the decision-making process is driven by scientific data. “Between June 16th and 26th, we welcomed 4,402 inbound air travellers to the Federation. Fifty-four percent of these individuals came from the United States of America. If you look at the data there, the…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 30, 2022 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, during the Cabinet Press Conference on June 29 spoke about the plans to address the water problems which have befallen the Federation. He said, “Since December 2020 my Government signed a contract with Bead LLC. to undertake a groundwater development project. The project had two components to remedy the water quality of Shadwell number 2 well and to drill a new well at Cayon.” Prime Minister Harris continued, “Given the recent water shortage, our Water Department has determined that well drilling at Cayon is more…