“With a collective desire of the Ministry of Health, the NCMC and the Cabinet to develop protocols that would facilitate safer New Year’s Eve celebrations, while discouraging high risk and illegal behaviour,” according to Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs – Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste, “Cabinet, has decided to keep the current protocols in place until January 7, 2022.”
This includes the much-talked-about 1:00 am confinement time on the morning of January 1, 2022.
However, Cabinet also decided on the following containment measures:
A person shall not host or attend a mass crowd event nor a competitive or high contact sporting activity, including indoor and outdoor training and local competitions.
A person can host or attend a social event or recreational activity that does not exceed 35 persons of his or her immediate family at his or her residence.
In accordance with the Criminal Code, no loud music will be permitted at a social event or recreational activity and anyone who breaks this law shall be prosecuted under the Criminal Code.
A faith-based organization may hold a special religious ceremony including baptisms, weddings, and funerals only if there are no more than 100 people in attendance and providing also that physical distancing guidelines are strictly observed.
Beach picnics and river parties will not be allowed.
The Minister of Health, through his statement, revealed that the Commissioner of Police has assured the Cabinet that his Police Officers will be out in “sufficient numbers” to ensure strict compliance with the measures outlined.