Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 26, 2021 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in its efforts to have continued food security has allowed farmers and fisherfolk to engage in their trade under the new restrictive measures implemented to keep citizens and residents safe from the further spread of COVID-19.

This was announced by the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, during his national address on June 25, 2021.

“We make a special exception for farmers and fishers to tend their flock, and to go fishing to keep our food supply going during days of limited operation,” said Prime Minister Harris.

PM Harris announced a complete 24-hour lockdown from 6:00 p.m Sunday, June 27 to 5:00 a.m. Thursday, July 01. On Thursday, July 01 and Friday, July 02, there will be a limited movement for limited operation of essential businesses from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and a return to full 24-hour lockdown from 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 02 to Thursday, July 08.

The Federation will again have limited movement for essentials on Thursday, July 08 and Friday, July 09 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days and return to 24-hour lockdown on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 July.

These measures have been taken to preserve social and physical distancing and minimize the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.

In March 2020, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis pledged $120 million for COVID-19 relief to protect businesses, jobs and the economy. Ten million was injected into the agricultural sector to boost production in the sector and ensure greater food security. Additionally, there was a waiver of payments for the consumption of water by farmers for six months.

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Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 26, 2021 (SKNIS): The borders of St. Kitts and Nevis will remain open over the next two weeks to facilitate the arrival and departure of commercial travellers including nationals who are returning home.

Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron Jr, shared the information on Saturday (June 26, 2021), during a live interactive engagement on ZIZ Radio and Television. The engagement addressed questions and comments following last evening’s announcement of a 24-hour lockdown by Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris. The 24-hour lockdown is exclusive to St. Kitts and forms part of new restrictive measures for the period June 27 to July 11, to curb the community transmission of COVID-19.

Attorney General Byron Jr, said the decision to keep the borders open was based on the continued success of the corridor of containment for incoming travellers established in October 2020.

“When someone lands at the airport, you are met by port health officials, customs, immigration, all have been trained in how to deal in this COVID situation,” he stated. “To leave the airport, you leave in a COVID certified taxi operator that goes to a COVID certified quarantine site or hotel. Even on total lockdown days, there must be some opening for the corridor to function.

“It is important to point out that there will be those travellers going to Nevis and so there are COVID certified ferry operators that will function as well,” he added.

Relatedly, the attorney general said that laboratories that facilitate RT-PCR tests will remain open during the next two weeks. Laboratory appointments will be necessary for testing. Most countries require a negative COVID-19 test to be submitted prior to travellers arriving. Therefore, persons leaving St. Kitts and Nevis will still be able to get tested to meet this international requirement.

Outgoing travellers are advised to notify the nearest police station before leaving for the R. L. Bradshaw International Airport. Travel documents must be presented to law enforcement at established checkpoints along the way.

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