St Kitts and Nevis new COVID-19 guidelines: No mass events or beach fetes, Bars allowed to operate

Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, during his national address, announced new guidelines as control and prevention measures for the federation.

Saturday, 22nd May 2021

National Address | Dr. the Hon Timothy Harris | Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris, during his national address, announced new guidelines as control and prevention measures for the federation. He also called upon people to take the vaccine terming it as the most potent weapon against the virus. Dr Harris said, “My priority as your Prime Minister and that of your Team Unity Government is to ensure the health, safety and security of every citizen and resident of this our beloved federation. As a result of this, my government accepts the recommendations of the Health Emergency Operating Committee headed by the Chief Medical Officer.” Prime Minister announced that beginning from 6 AM on Saturday, May 22, the following guidelines would apply:

No mass events or jam sessions will be allowed; they have the potential to be super spreaders.
Football matches and sporting activities can be held only with permission of the Commissioner of police; only fully vaccinated persons with ID will be allowed entry. All other COVID-19 measures must be adhered to.
Bars can be allowed to operate until 12 midnight, the last hour of operation being 11 PM to 12 midnight. Bars must be closed between 12 PM-midnight and 6 AM for the next two weeks. No bands are allowed at bars. However, house music is acceptable.
Concerning public transport, there shall be enforcement of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Wear masks upon entering and for the entire duration of the trip. Windows must be open. There shall be temperature checks on ferries, documentation of all travellers’ information.
Church, weddings and funerals can be held. Physical distancing, wearing of masks, hand sanitising must be enforced.
No mass events or beach fetes are allowed until further notice for beaches.

Prime Minister further extended that people cannot take anything for granted during the battle against the deadly virus. “Critical defence against the virus is to be vaccinated. Our current measures (e.g., tracing and testing systems) have been working well to date. Health professionals have been doing an excellent job, commended them all for working proactively and effectively. We have a powerful weapon that we must accept, that is immunization. It is not the PM’s vaccination programme, nor is it Team Unity’s vaccination programme. It is your programme. The resurgence of positive cases demonstrates the need to get vaccinated.” In regard to facilitating the vaccination drive in St Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris announced that extension in opening hours of health centres. The facilities would remain open from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday and on Monday 24th May, they will open again from 8 AM to 4 PM. And for the next two weeks, the health centres would remain open from 8 AM to 6 PM (Monday to Friday). Some have taken a cynical view of taking the vaccine. This should not be used to discourage others, PM added. While talking about the vaccination Prime Minister announced that as of May 21, 46.5% of the target population covered with the first dose of vaccine and 17.3% covered with the second dose of vaccine. He emphasised that people must only accept information from official government sources. PM Harris added that Chief Medical Officer has confirmed that the country has recorded an additional case of COVID-19, bringing a total to 46 the total number of confirmed cases of the virus. This case had no history of travel, but the contact tracing exercise has been ensured. PM added that over 22 persons related to the recently confirmed cases have been placed in quarantine and are being tested. “Over the last two days, 315 close contacts of these cases were identified and tested.” According to Prime Minister Harris, 229 results were returned as of tonight (May 21), in which 226 were negative, 3 positive and another 86 samples are awaiting results. Divulging the details, PM said that case 47 was an imported case; individual is an inbound passenger from Argentina who arrived in the federation on May 9 in stable condition and is currently under isolation. Case 48 is national with no travel history but had significant contact with case 47. Case 49 is a national who is a close relative of case 46, moreover case 46 also had significant contact with imported case 47. Case 48 works at the same facility and may have had similar exposure. Case 49 household contact of case 46 process of contact tracing and testing will continue.