St Kitts and Nevis will reopen borders with structural planning to minimise fatalities, says PM Harris

Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris recently stated that the twin-island nation is trying to adjust with the new realities of the coronavirus. He added that the country so far has been prosperous in handling the virus.

Prime Minister made the remarks on his programme titled 'Leadership Matters', where he added that his administration has been successful in flattening the curve of COVID-19 as there are no active cases in the country.

Besides this, he also added that more people are being trained to assist at quarantine facilities and tourist sites to help the people coming from foreign lands as the country plans to open up the borders.

He added that JNF Hospital is working on the advancement of types of equipment, and extra amenities are being set up to conduct more COVID-19 testing.

Discussing reopening of borders he stated that he experience of Bahamas with 49 new cases in a few weeks after the opening of borders is a reminder that we need to exercise extra care and the health protocols cannot be abandoned.

The tourism sector of St Kitts and Nevis is passing a deep and dark recession caused by the coronavirus; however, the Prime Minister made sure that the hotel industry would get back into life after the structural opening.

Dr Harris stated that St Kitts and Nevis would slowly and systematically open its borders to lower the risk of fatalities as people would also be travelling from COVID-19 hotspots.

He added that the systematic approach is essential; otherwise, the health-sector could become overwhelmed with patients.

"We are approaching the matter with a clear head and focusing on the right things to save the lives. So far we have done excellently on this path as there had been no deaths because of COVID-19 and all those impacted have recovered" added Dr Harris.

As per the Prime Minister, there are more persons at work now than there were in April 2020 and every area of socio-economic activity has benefited from the phased lifting of restrictions.

Furthermore, he stated that the government would continue focusing on minimising if not avoiding the COVID-19 pandemic.