The Government of Saint Lucia today announced approved amendments to the COVID-19 Prevention and Control regulations which will take effect Friday 25th June 2021 until Tuesday 31 st August 2021.
According to the communications arm of the government, “the decisions by the Cabinet of Ministers have been taken following consultation with the Command Centre and based on the data related to the number of active COVID-19 cases in Saint Lucia. The Government of Saint Lucia continues to encourage all Saint Lucians to get vaccinated and to follow the protocols in order to further decrease the spread of COVID-19.”
The latest measures are as follows:
The Curfew is adjusted to 11:00 pm to 4:00 am each day;
Faith-based organizations may hold special religious rites including weddings, baptisms and funerals with a maximum of 100 persons in attendance;
Graduations and school leaving ceremonies are permitted based on square footage of the building and in keeping with all established COVID-19 protocols;
Social events with up to one hundred and fifty (150) fully vaccinated persons are permitted after authorization through the Ministry of Health and the Commissioner of Police;
A public omnibus operator will be permitted to carry up to three passengers per row;
A person with a valid liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act, Cap. 13.17 that offers for sale or disposes of intoxicating liquor only, shall be permitted to operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on each day.
Returning Nationals and Visitors with a negative PCR test and who are fully vaccinated will not require quarantine. Random testing will be done at all arrival points. Notwithstanding, the CMO retains the power to place visitors in quarantine in order to protect public health.
The Government also announced the resumption of Inter-island ferry services (Martinique to Saint Lucia) with effect from 1 st July, 2021.
The public was reminded that ALL public health measures such as mandatory mask wearing in public, social distancing and washing and sanitizing of hands remain in place and persons were urged and encouraged to take advantage of the vaccination drive to protect themselves, their family, and the wider society.
Chastanet has contempt for democracy. He ravels in dictating what people can and cannot do. He does things according to his whims and fancies and not thru scientific knowledge. What empirical evidence does he have to change the curfew from 9 to 11 PM? What warrants such a decision?
St. Lucia is in trouble and deserves someone who is neither a neophyte nor a bully.