Forty-seven (47) more Saint Lucians will arrive tonight through George FL Charles Airport (SLU), as efforts to repatriate nationals impacted by global travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic continue. Forty-three (43) will travel to Barbados on a British Airways flight from London Gatwick (LGW), where they will be joined by four (4) nationals in Barbados, and subsequently transferred to Saint Lucia via LIAT chartered service. Among those being repatriated are stranded cruise ship workers and students.
Upon arrival in Saint Lucia, all nationals will be screened by Port Health personnel and transferred to a government operated quarantine facility where they will be housed for a period of 14 days.
Speaking on the ongoing repatriation process, the Minister responsible for External Affairs, Honorable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun noted that with this group, the Government of Saint Lucia would have successfully repatriated four hundred and fifty-two (452) nationals to date.
“It is with pleasure we will welcome home more of our nationals and we wish to commend High Commissioner Mayers and his team for their work on this UK effort”, commented the Minister. “It would be remiss of me not to thank my Department’s team for their role, and importantly, the coordinating team of health, tourism and security officials who are working daily on the repatriation process”, she concluded.
The Department of External Affairs and the Government continue to explore the most feasible options to facilitate the speedy repatriation of all nationals who wish to return home. On Sunday May 31st 2020 via a flight organized by the Department of External Affairs, five (5) students from the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus, Jamaica) were able to come home.
Nationals abroad are reminded to keep in regular contact with the nearest Saint Lucian Embassy and Consulate, along with the office for Diaspora Affairs.