"Country lockdown will be our last resort," said St Lucia's PM Allen Chastanet

Prime Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet announced on Friday that a COVID-19 shutdown for Saint Lucia would be the "last option," while citing that there is no purpose to shut the nation down.

“We have no intention of closing down,” he replied in response to an inquiry from a journalist at a televised news conference, continuing that closing down is not an alternative.

“Can the circumstances get more critical? Yes!” The PM affirmed.

“We do not desire to get to the position where we have to shut down. If we have to shift more draconian, we will do it,” Chastanet, visibly exasperated at people for not adhering to COVID-19 rules, warned.

He made it plain that he will not be cowed by anyone who says the fairness or rights of the people are being taken apart.

According to the PM, the letter of the law will be forced on anyone who does not comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

“I make no apologies. We are not working to oppress anyone, but we have a duty to guard the people of this nation.”

Earlier, Chastanet explained the media conference that the administration has handled the COVID-19 situation exceptionally well presented the decrease in supplies.

He remarked that his government has extended to accommodate all the basic needs of the nation. He regarded that schools and businesses had resumed, whereas, hospitals and health centres are working as usual.

“Business as usual. But it grows more challenging if in fact we ought to go into lockdown – so the final thing we are going to do is resort to that,” the PM affirmed.

He remembered that at an emergency assemblage on Friday morning, suggestions were given by the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Ministry of Education and other Ministries.

According to Chastanet, the aim was to bring those suggestions to a conference of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) to enable them to be considered over the weekend so that a final cabinet arrangement can be executed on Monday.

He warned that unless each Saint Lucian keeps COVID-19 protocols, the condition would be ‘catastrophic.’

“I have intimated that if we ought to shut down the nation, it will be a tremendous load to us and to everyone,” Chastanet stated.

He explained that the administration would do all it can to, head of all, defend lives and further, guarantee that too much of the growth and progress achieved in reopening economics does not have to be reversed.