Tag Archives: caribbean

FISHERFOLK AND FARMERS TO BE ALLOWED TO ENGAGE IN THEIR TRADE DURING LIMITED OPERATION DAYS

2021-06-28 FreeNews

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.

The post FISHERFOLK AND FARMERS TO BE ALLOWED TO ENGAGE IN THEIR TRADE DURING LIMITED OPERATION DAYS appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

BORDERS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING 24-HOUR LOCKDOWN IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

2021-06-28 FreeNews

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.

The post BORDERS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING 24-HOUR LOCKDOWN IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIVE MEASURES ANNOUNCED TO HALT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

2021-06-28 FreeNews

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 25, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) –

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced a 24-hour lockdown as part of a slate of additional restrictive measures being taken to limit the movement of people, which will in turn halt the current spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease in the Federation.

In a national televised address, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said these additional measures have become necessary as “the reduction envisaged over the 14-day incubation period was not realized.”

The prime minister said, “Under these new restrictive measures, the State of Emergency remains in place for both St. Kitts and Nevis and the existing curfew for both islands will continue. But there will be for the island of St. Kitts a complete 24-hour lockdown from 6:00 p.m Sunday, June 27th to 5:00 a.m. Thursday, July 01st. On Thursday 1st July and Friday, July 02nd, there will be 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 02nd to Thursday, July 08th. We will again have limited movement for essentials on Thursday, July 08th and Friday, July 09th from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days and return to 24 hour lockdown on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th July.”

Prime Minister Harris said a Shelter in Place Order will be strictly enforced by law enforcement officers.

“This means that every person shall remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their yard space, to avoid contact outside their family, except for essential workers who are required to report to work; workers required to work in hospitals and medical facilities, licensed providers of security guard services, and such other businesses as may be specifically exempted; for essential travel for medical emergencies; and for essential travel to a vaccination site with vaccination card and one photo id for production to law enforcement on demand between 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. from Monday, June 28th to Wednesday, June 30th,” the prime minister explained.

The other measures as outlined by the prime minister are the closure of all businesses during the strict lockdown period; absolutely no mass gatherings, parties or other social events; the closure of all beaches in St. Kitts, as well as the suspension of liquor licenses.

Special dispensation is being granted to allow students who are sitting external exams to travel to examination centres.

Similarly, a limited number of Government workers will be allowed to travel to work and special exceptions are made for farmers and fishers to tend their flock, and to go fishing to keep our food supply going during days of limited operation.

Prime Minister Harris added, “There will be a special carve out for the island of Nevis which will basically remain the same as obtains presently but will be detailed in the SR&O.”

A special Sitting of the National Assembly is scheduled for Monday, June 28 where the Government will seek to extend the State of Emergency.

The post ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIVE MEASURES ANNOUNCED TO HALT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

PM anounces 24 hour lockdown for St. Kitts only

2021-06-26 FreeNews

A complete 24-hour lockdown from 6 pm Sunday, June 27 to 5:00 am July 1.

The people of St. Kitts will observe a 24-hour lockdown starting Sunday Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris has announced.

PM Harris announced that there will be limited movement on July 1 and 2 with the operation of essential services from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and a return to full until lockdown July 8.

“A shelter in place order will be strictly enforced. This means every person will remain confined to his or her place of residence inclusive of their yard space to avoid contact expect their family.”

He said all are expected to where to the shelter in place order except essential workers and except for essential travel and travel for emergencies and vaccinations.

Dr Harris said the Federal Cabinet met and after a thorough evaluation of the situation determined that “there is a need for more restrictive measures to help stop the movement of people and bring to halt the current wave that threatens the fabric of all our institutions and every sector of our society.”

“We understand the social, psychological impact these may have on our citizens and residents but we believe they are necessary for the benefit of all. We will do all within our power to get everyone safely through this period and provide assistance to those in need through the wide social services arm of my government.”

Dr Harris said the National Task Force has committed to the delivery of care packages to those in need.

The state of emergency remains in place for both St. Kitts and Nevis and the existing curfew remains in place for Nevis.

The post PM anounces 24 hour lockdown for St. Kitts only appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Address To The Nation By The Hon Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris To Update On The COVID-19 Situation

2021-06-28 FreeNews

June 25, 2021

Announced complete lock down in an effort to curb COVID 19 spread

My fellow citizens and residents:

In my address to the Nation on June 12, 2021, I outlined a number of measures intended to contain the community spread of the COVID-19 virus. I stated that these measures would be in place for 14 days until June 26, 2021. The measures taken as a whole, were intended mainly to significantly contain the spread of COVID-19.

We continually emphasized the importance of the use of the non-pharmaceutical measures of social distancing, wearing of masks and hand sanitizing to decrease the spread. We warned about complacency and inaction in this fight as the virus is relentless in its attack and we needed to be relentless in our efforts at containing it and protecting ourselves.

The reduction envisaged over the 14 day incubation period was not realized. Further, sadly over the last week we suffered the loss of 3 of our fellow citizens from this dreaded virus. Every life is precious. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased.

We are very satisfied that our vaccination programme was successfully rolled out culminating in over 800 persons yesterday Thursday and today we had over 900 persons showing up for their second dose of the vaccine.

There is still over 30 percent of the adult population who have not yet received a single dose. The virus will continue to target the vulnerable and unprotected persons in our community and it will find a way to spread itself. Until we contain this wave of infection and all who should be vaccinated are vaccinated and protected we will remain vulnerable to this virus.

Against this backdrop, I wish to inform you that today the Federal Cabinet met and after a thorough evaluation of the situation, determined that there is a need for more restrictive measures to help stop the movement of people and bring to a halt the current wave that has threatened the fabric of all of our institutions and every sector of our society.

We understand the social, psychological and economic impact these may have on our citizens and residents but we believe it is necessary for the benefit of all.

We will do all within our power to get everyone safely through this period and provide assistance to those in need, through the social services arm of Government. Our National Task Force will organize the delivery of care packages to those in need.

Under these new restrictive measures, the State of Emergency remains in place for both St. Kitts and Nevis and the existing curfew for both islands will continue. But there will be for the island of St. Kitts:

Complete 24 hour lock down from 6:00 p.m Sunday, June 27th to 5:00 a.m.. Thursday, July 01st. On Thursday 1st July and Friday, July 02nd, there will be 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 03rd to Thursday, July 08th. We will again have limited movement for essentials on Thursday, July 08th and Friday, July 09th from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days and return to 24 hour lockdown on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th July.
A Shelter in Place Order will be strictly enforced. This means that every person shall remain confined to their place of residence, inclusive of their yard space, to avoid contact outside their family, except:
1. essential workers, who are required to report to work;
2. workers required to work in hospitals and medical facilities, licensed providers of security guard services, and such other businesses as may be specifically exempted;
3. for essential travel for medical emergencies; and
4. for essential travel to a vaccination site with vaccination card and one photo id for production to law enforcement on demand between 8.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. from Monday, June 28th to Wednesday, June 30th.
All places of business including doctors offices will be closed during the strict lockdown hours. On days of limited operation, only essential businesses will be allowed to operate and these businesses are limited to supermarkets, pharmacies and medical facilities, and other businesses authorized by the Commissioner of Police.
While religious and educational institutions are closed, this is a special time for our students as they sit their external exams and therefore a special dispensation is granted to allow students and their parents or guardians to travel to an examination center.
A limited number of Government workers will be needed to ensure the continued functioning of the State. Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other Heads will determine who will be required to attend work.
Clearly, there shall be no mass gatherings, and no parties and other social events.
The beaches in St. Kitts will be closed. We ask that you confine your exercise programme to your home and yard space.
Liquor licenses are suspended. Absolutely NO rum shops, bars nor nightspots will be allowed to operate.
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.

There will be a special carve out for the island of Nevis which will basically remain the same as obtains presently but this will be detailed in the new SR&O.

On Monday, we will convene an emergency sitting of the Parliament. We believe that this is necessary in our fight against the COVID pandemic because of the current spread of the virus here in our Country. We believe that this difficult state of affairs in our beloved Federation, requires that we extend the state of emergency, like ten other countries in the region have done, to allow us to use the emergency powers to assist our Health Team and Security Personnel in the fight against this deadly virus.

My citizens and residents in this fight the action of every single individual affects us all. We are in this together. None of us is safe until all of us are safe.

I urge you to do the right thing and protect yourself over the next 14 days to prevent the continued spread of the virus. I urge you to use the opportunity to get vaccinated so you can protect yourself, your family, and community. Vaccination is our most powerful tool to defeat the virus. The success of our vaccination roll-out so far calls for optimism.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I am confident that our people will do the right thing over these coming two weeks, that will allow us to emerge safer and stronger. Let us be united in the fight for our lives and our Country. To better protect ourselves, let us get vaccinated and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. Let us adopt the appropriate behavior needed to fight this deadly virus.

May God continue to protect us.

I Thank You.

The post Address To The Nation By The Hon Prime Minister, Dr. Timothy Harris To Update On The COVID-19 Situation appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Nevis Tourism Authority mourns passing of island’s leading hotelier Dr. “Doc” Meguid

2021-06-25 FreeNews

The Nevis Tourism Authority, (NTA) joins the wider tourism fraternity in mourning the passing of noted hotelier, Dr. Adly Fahmy Abdel Meguid, owner and chairman of the board of the Mount Nevis Hotel, who passed away at the age of 92. Egyptian by birth, he was affectionately called “Doc”.

The Nevis Tourism Authority offers heartfelt condolences to his family and to the staff at Mount Nevis Hotel in speaking with the St. Kitts Nevis Observer on June 25, 2021.

In wishing his immediate family and the wider tourism fraternity strength and comfort as they mourn his passing, the NTA’s CEO, Jadine Yarde said, “Let’s honor Dr. Meguid for pioneering Nevis’ tourism industry by working to build on his legacy in the years ahead”.

For many years, the NTA has had the privilege of working with the legendary hotelier. He retired from the Nations (UN), where he served as an economist for 25 years, and he consulted with the government of St. Kitts.

During that period, the NTA says he fell in love with the hospitality industry and with Nevis, and broke ground for the construction of the Mount Nevis Hotel in Shaws Road, New Castle in 1987. The hotel was completed in 1989, and at the time was considered the first modern hotel on the island.

Doc, the Authority noted was a leader with a passion for service excellence, and he will be remembered for his approach to building a tourism product, advocating that the guest is of paramount importance.

He challenged his staff to always, “place yourself in the shoes of the guest from arrival to departure”, in so doing they would deliver an unparalleled guest experience to inspire return visits.

The NTA believes that his commitment and loyalty to the people of Nevis and the development of Nevis’ tourism industry is of note. Dr. Meguid was highly respected throughout the industry and was the recipient of numerous awards from the government, the Ministry of Tourism, and a variety of public and private sector entities.

The post Nevis Tourism Authority mourns passing of island’s leading hotelier Dr. “Doc” Meguid appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Police searching for missing man

2021-06-25 FreeNews

Police are searching for Purcel Hope a man who was last seen in Stapleton on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at about 7 p.m. wearing a black tam on his head, a brown shirt, green pants and no shoes.

They are appealing to the public if anyone has any information with regards to the whereabouts of Purcel Hope to please contact the Basseterre police station at 465-2241,
the nearest police station or call the crime hotline at 707. All information shared will be treated as confidential.

Hope is 68 years old and is from Caunt Street Newtown. He is described to having a dark complexion, back and grey hair and 5’5 in height.

The post Police searching for missing man appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

SKN Offering Safe Haven for Affluent Refugees

2021-06-25 FreeNews

LONDON, June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — With civil unrest marring parts of Asia, particularly in regions like Hong Kong, younger families are seeking routes to second citizenship to protect themselves better.

Both political instability and economic uncertainty have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering an exodus of those leaving their home countries searching for safety and security.

While Canada and the United Kingdom are common destinations for permanent immigration, St Kitts and Nevis recognises investors as global citizens and offers a different solution. More families are now taking advantage of the St Kitts and Nevis’ Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme – a widely popular destination for investors in Asia. The initiative confers citizenship on an applicant once they invest in the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF), a route that has been acclaimed as the most straightforward means to a second citizenship.

More from AsiaOneRead the condensed version of this story, and other top stories with NewsLite.

Through the SGF, one of the world’s fastest citizenship timelines for those who can demonstrate a clear source of funds, successful applicants can receive citizenship within 60 days for an additional cost. The programme is also one of the most family-friendly options on the market. Not only can siblings now be included in an application, but a temporarily limited time offer enables families of four to gain citizenship for $150,000 instead of $195,000. The discount accounts for a $45,000 cut and will run until December 31st 2021, after being extended due to its popularity.

“[The CBI programmes’ success] attests that clients around the world trust the St Kitts and Nevis Programme, they trust that their investment is safe, that the investment is being used for growth within the country, that they are confident of the citizenship that they gain from St Kitts and Nevis,” said Les Khan, the CEO of St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI Unit.

Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship include visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to nearly 160 destinations, the safety of a second home ripe with business opportunities and the ability to pass citizenship down through descent, securing your future legacy. Additionally, the islands offer a plethora of economic incentives due to its proximity to the US and its currency pegged to the dollar. Furthermore, St Kitts and Nevis boasts a stable democracy committed to the rule of law that affords its citizens a host of civil liberties.

The post SKN Offering Safe Haven for Affluent Refugees appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

Miami Condo Collapse: 4 Dead, 159 Missing

2021-06-25 FreeNews

(UPI) — The death toll from the collapse of an oceanfront condominium tower near Miami Beach rose to four early Friday, with about 159 people unaccounted for as crews continued to search the debris for survivors.

Authorities overnight said at least four died in the sudden collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers in Surfside, about 3 miles north of Miami Beach, on Thursday.

“We’re focused right now on search and rescue,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told Good Morning America Friday, noting that search crews had worked through the night.Part of the building fell early Thursday while many residents inside were asleep. Some 99 residents are believed missing.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration Friday that will provide federal aid to the area. The Homeland Security Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency are authorized to help coordinate disaster relief efforts with local officials.

“FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide at its discretion equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” the White House said in a statement.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for Miami-Dade County on Thursday. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said, however, he hopes for more than just fiscal assistance and manpower.

“We are not lacking in resources,” Burkett told CNN. “We’re lacking for a little luck. What’s important right now is saving lives.”

Authorities were looking into the cause of the collapse, which sent half of the tower pancaking to the ground in just seconds. Cava said there are no signs of foul play. The building, which was built in 1981, was undergoing a major renovation at the time of the collapse.

The post Miami Condo Collapse: 4 Dead, 159 Missing appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.

headline

T&T Coast Guard Rescues Boat Drifting from Barbados

2021-06-25 FreeNews

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) rescued a Barbados vessel during border security patrols in Tobago. During the patrol, the TTCG discovered the boat named ‘Makea-H’ drifting North of Crown Point, Tobago. The following is a press release from the TTCG:

On 23 June 2021, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) patrol vessel stationed in Tobago was conducting border security patrols when it discovered a Barbados flagged vessel named ‘Makea-H’ drifting North of Crown Point, Tobago.

The Captain of the ‘Makea-H’ reported that after slipping berth in Bridgetown, Barbados the vessel’s alternator began malfunctioning causing the vessel to shut down and all attempts to restart it had failed. The TTCG patrol boat took the ‘Makea-H’ in tow to the TTCG’s Tobago base in order to verify the vessel’s documentation and for repairs to be carried out.

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard continues to provide border security and search and rescue services in the face of the threat of Covid-19 in order to maintain the safety and security of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the conduct of maritime security patrols within our area of operations.
Tagged in:

The post T&T Coast Guard Rescues Boat Drifting from Barbados appeared first on The St Kitts Nevis Observer.