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No Lockdown But Strict Measures in Place

The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Hon. Allen Chastanet, during a special meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) on October 16, 2020, confirmed that the island would not go into lockdown.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

Saint Lucia is currently facing a community spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, after four patients who had no history of travel outside of the island tested positive.

The confirmation of a 14-year-old, secondary school student as the latest COVID-19 patient, forced education officials to authorize an island-wide suspension of all school activity for a week, as well as the closure of the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School for two weeks as contact tracing measures intensify.

Mass crowd events that were granted permission to entertain a maximum of 500 persons were reduced to 100 and party boat rides have been banned for the foreseeable future with only family excursions allowed to set sail.

Kwéyòl Day celebration as had been indicated by F.R.C. Executive Director, Louise Victor, earlier this month, will be celebrated without the massive fanfare that it has been accustomed to. All Kwéyòl day activities will be enjoyed with family and friends at home.

Bus drivers and enablers of “backdoor” visitors came under heavy fire and criticism from the Prime Minister as he commented on reports that drivers were deliberately disregarding protocols and not adhering to the maximum limit of ten passengers per trip. “If a bus driver doesn’t have on his mask or persons on the bus don’t have their mask on, as difficult as it is don’t board the bus, take down his number and file a complaint, because that will come back to haunt you”, said Prime Minister Chastanet.

Saint Lucians were again reminded to follow all COVID-19 protocols to ensure personal and public safety as the island continues to navigate through this pandemic.

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