BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, July 02, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has secured an additional five thousand (5,000) doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine as part of its drive to ensure at least 70 percent of the population is inoculated against the deadly COVID-19 disease, thereby achieving herd immunity in the Federation.

“Given the general global shortage of vaccines, I have been engaged with a number of CARICOM Heads and through bilateral diplomatic arrangements, we have secured an additional 5,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. These vaccines have an expiration date of August 31, 2021. I am happy to report that these additional doses are already in our possession,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris in a televised address to the nation today, Friday, July 03.

With the additional doses of the vaccine, the prime minister said the Government will restart its vaccination programme on Thursday, July 08, 2021.

Prime Minister Harris, in his address, reminded the nation that vaccines are a scarce and precious commodity, and as such he is encouraging those who have not yet been vaccinated to make use of the opportunity to become vaccinated while supplies last.

Dr. Harris said, “This will enable us to achieve in the shortest possible time on the stronger and safer future that you deserve. The pathway to economic recovery including job growth, high incomes, business openings, a flourishing tourism sector, etc depends on a critically high proportion of the population being vaccinated and adhering to the protocols.”

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NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 02, 2021) – – The island of Nevis will go into full 24-hour lock down for one week starting Saturday, July 03 until Monday, July 12, 2021.

Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, made the announcement during a national address on July 02, 2021. He said the enhanced restriction became necessary as case #16 on Nevis works in an environment with extremely vulnerable persons and contact tracing has already resulted in an additional positive case of COVID-19 being recorded on July 01.

“Given the risks associated with case 16 and the ongoing contact tracing on Nevis which has already led to case 17, I have been in close contact with the Premier of Nevis [Hon. Mark Brantley]. We have agreed that in an effort to save lives and avoid any further escalation of the situation on Nevis, the island of Nevis should as of Saturday, July 03 at 6:01 p.m. be under the same regime of restrictions as currently in place on St. Kitts…

“The period of the enhanced restrictions on Nevis will run until 5 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021 in the first instance,” he said.

During the 24-hour lockdown period all businesses and government offices and agencies shall close and a Shelter in Place Order will be imposed. This means that persons shall remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their yard space, with the exception of essential workers who are required to report to work.

There will be limited movement for limited operation of essential businesses including supermarkets and pharmacies from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 08 and Friday, July 09 and return to full 24-hour lockdown on Saturday, July 10 and Sunday July 11.

During this period special arrangements will be made to accommodate persons traveling overseas, students currently sitting overseas examinations, essential workers, and those with medical and other emergencies.

Prime Minister Harris said the necessary Statutory Rules and Orders (SR&O) will be published to reflect the enhanced restrictions as it relates to Nevis.

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