St Kitts and Nevis Shuts Borders in Measure Against Coronavirus

RNCollins · Mar 27, 2020

St Kitts and Nevis Shuts Borders in Measure Against Coronavirus - Caribbean Journal

The twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis is the latest Caribbean country to implement aggressive coronavirus by shutting its borders.

www.caribjournal.com

By Caribbean Journal Staff / Caribbean Journal / www.caribjournal.com / March 25, 2020

“The twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis is the latest Caribbean country to implement aggressive measures to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

St Kitts and Nevis, which just confirmed its first cases of coronavirus, said it was closing its borders until April 7 “to protect our borders, citizens and residents.”

The border shutdown, which was set to take effect on March 25 at 11:59 PM, closes borders to all commercial airline flights until April 7.

That impacts both St Kitts’ Robert L Bradshaw International Airport and Nevis’ Vance W. Amory International Airport....”

Frigate Bay, St Kitts
Photo By evenfh / www.shutterstock.com

RNCollins · Mar 29, 2020

-received an email from the St. Kitts Tourism Authority on March 29, 2020

ST. KITTS & NEVIS
TAKES ACTION AGAINST COVID-19

STATE OF EMERGENCY

“At the request of the Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, the Governor General of St. Kitts & Nevis has declared that, effective as of 7:00 p.m. tonight Saturday, March 28, 2020, a State of Emergency will be declared. This will restrict the freedom of movement of all citizens and residents, who will be subject to a curfew between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day for the next 14 days. This is part of the Federal Government's scaled up response to contain and control the COVID-19 virus and minimize harm to its people.

The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations require every person to remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their yard space, to avoid contact outside of their family except in stipulated circumstances such as essential travel to the doctor, grocery store, bank, credit union, money services, business, pharmacy or to refuel vehicles. The Regulations also require the closure of non-essential businesses and regulate the hours of opening for essential services. For a complete listing of essential businesses, click here to read section 5 of the official Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations document.

St. Kitts & Nevis has also imposed social and physical distancing protocols as part of the increased response. Businesses will be required to observe a physical distance of 6 feet between its customers inside and outside of their businesses. Following a meeting with the operators of the 3 bus lines and ferry operators, given the congestion in public transport vehicles and the potential for contagion, certain restrictions have been imposed to protect operators and their patrons of no more than 1 passenger per row.

Regarding the public service, all essential workers must report to work during the time of the State of Emergency. The Secretary of Cabinet will determine any other category required to report for duty.

To ensure that persons are faithfully complying with the curfew and other restrictions, strong penalties including fines of up to $5000 and/or a term of imprisonment of up to 6 months can be imposed on those who fail to comply with the Regulations.

While it is highly uncommon to restrict free movement, this is an unprecedented time and the dangers that confront the Federation demand that Government takes serious actions to confront and overcome this pandemic. These strong measures are in place for 14 days, in the first instance, and Government shall continue to evaluate and adapt the Regulations as necessary as the situation evolves.

As the result of actions by local experts, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), St. Kitts & Nevis was able to keep the virus offshore until as recently as March 25, 2020, when two Kittitian nationals arrived from New York and were tested positive for COVID-19. In fact, St. Kitts & Nevis was the last place in the Americas to confirm positive cases of COVID-19. This is due to its "Life First" strategy by limiting cruise ships and taking precautionary measures with commercial airline passengers arriving from designated hot spots or displaying symptoms of respiratory illness, quarantining or refusing entry as warranted. Once these two cases of COVID-19 were imported into the Federation, the Federal Government needed to become more aggressive in its actions and this State of Emergency was declared.

The borders of St. Kitts & Nevis are closed from 11:59 p.m. on March 25 to April 7, 2020 to commercial air and sea vessels. Travellers are advised to contact their travel advisor, travel provider, hotel and/or airline for information about policies for rescheduling trips. Our hearts are with you, as we are all in this together. We look forward to once again welcoming you to the sun-kissed splendour of St. Kitts & Nevis. In the meantime, we ask all persons to stay informed about the latest news and developments relating to COVID-19 and to take all recommended precautions to stay safe and healthy.”

RNCollins · Apr 26, 2020

-post from the St Kitts Tourism Authority Authority website:

St Kitts and Nevis Tourism | Official Site

Explore 18 miles of lush rainforests, majestic mountains & stunning shores in St Kitts & Nevis. Discover hidden treasures & soul-stirring adventures.

www.stkittstourism.kn

TRAVEL ADVISORY UPDATE
“We look forward to the time when St. Kitts & Nevis can again share special joy of our sun kissed splendor, cool tropical breezes and the genuine welcome of our people with you.

For now, however, to protect the health and safety of our citizens, residents and visitors, St Kitts has closed its borders to all commercial airline flights effective last night, April 25 at 11:59 until May 9, 2020. Medevac or medical emergency flights will be allowed should the need arise.

Sending our best wishes to you, your families and friends. Stay safe and healthy and keep dreaming of your next adventure.“

RNCollins · Apr 26, 2020

-st Kitts travel advisory update

St Kitts and Nevis Tourism | Official Site

Explore 18 miles of lush rainforests, majestic mountains & stunning shores in St Kitts & Nevis. Discover hidden treasures & soul-stirring adventures.

www.stkittstourism.kn

St. Kitts & Nevis
Takes Further Action Against COVID-19
April 24, 2020

Government to Extends 24-Hour and Limited Curfews
6:00am Saturday, April 25, 2020 to 6:00am Saturday, May 9, 2020

“As of today, The Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris announced that, under the State of Emergency put in place on March 28, 2020 and which Cabinet voted on Friday, April 17 to extend for six months, Government will be introducing another round of Regulations effective from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday April 25, 2020 through 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2020 to control and combat COVID-19 in the Federation.

He also announced full 24-hour and limited curfews will be in effect as follows:

Full 24-hour curfew (persons must remain in their residence):

• Saturday, April 25 6:00 a.m. through all day Sunday, April 26 until Monday, April 27 at 6:00 a.m.

Limited curfew (relaxed restrictions wherein persons may leave their residence to shop for necessities and curfews in effect every night from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.):

• Monday, April 27 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 28 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Full 24-hour curfew (persons must remain in their residence):

• Wednesday, April 29 all day until Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 a.m.

Limited curfew (relaxed restrictions wherein persons may leave their residence to shop for necessities and curfews in effect every night from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.):

• Thursday, April 30 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 1 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Full 24-hour curfew (persons must remain in their residence):

• Saturday, May 2, Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4 all day until Tuesday, May 5 at 6:00 a.m.

Limited curfew (relaxed restrictions wherein persons may leave their residence to shop for necessities and curfews in effect every night from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.):

• Tuesday, May 5 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 6 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, May 7 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 8 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

During the extended State of Emergency and the COVID-19 Regulations made under the Emergency Powers Act, no one is permitted to be away from their residence without special exemption as an essential worker or a pass or permission from the Commissioner of Police during full 24-hour curfew. For a complete listing of essential businesses, click here to read the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations and refer to section 5. This is part of the Government's response to contain and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The Government continues to act under the advisement of its medical experts in relaxing or lifting restrictions. These medical experts have informed the Government that St. Kitts & Nevis has met the 6 criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for doing so and that all persons who need to be tested have been tested at this time. St. Kitts & Nevis is the last country in the Americas to confirm a case of the virus, has no deaths from it and has now reported two recovered cases.

To date, a total of 250 persons have been tested for COVID-19, 15 of whom tested positive with 233 persons tested negative, 12 test results pending and 0 deaths. 1 person is currently quarantined in a government facility while 105 persons are currently quarantined at home and 13 persons are in isolation. 634 persons have been released from quarantine and 2 persons have recovered.

At this time, we hope everyone and their families remain safe and healthy.”

For more information on COVID-19, please visit:

World Health Organization
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Caribbean Public Health Agency

RNCollins · May 29, 2020

St. Kitts' tourism chief talks about what's next

By Gay Nagle Myers / Insight / Travel Weekly / www.travelweekly.com / May 25, 2020

St. Kitts' tourism chief talks about what's next

Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said the island was "putting a lot of protocols in place and will spend this summer training those involved in all facets of tourism."

www.travelweekly.com

“Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, has not spent this much time on the island since she moved there in 2014.

"I took my last business trip in late February, and I've been here ever since," she said.

Brown said she was enjoying her time at home, although, she added, "it has been such a hard time for so many people everywhere with the loss of lives and jobs, coupled with fear, uncertainty and separation from family and friends."

And, she said, "a pandemic is not a good way for tourism to move forward."

However, tourism on St. Kitts is beginning to move forward in incremental stages....”

Crater of Mount Liamuiga on Saint Kitts
Photo By Jason Patrick Ross / www.shutterstock.com