Curfew extended for another week

OPM, St Johns – The Cabinet today, agreed to extend the curfew for a further week. This was done on the advise of health officials including PAHO, who indicated that the Caribbean could see a rapid increase in Covid cases in the upcoming weeks and cautioned against relaxing restrictions.

However, in light of the manageable amount of Covid patients and a decline in individuals seeking medical attention; the Cabinet has agreed to cautiously and incrementally expand the list of essential services, to operate within the limited essential business window between 7am – 12 noon.

The Cabinet, recognizing the need for our people to exercise to build resilience against Covid and other disease, has relaxed the regulations to allow for running/walking/cycling/hiking, during the 7am – 12 noon window.However, individuals should continue to observe the social distancing and other health protocols. Please be reminded, that no more than two individuals should gather in public public.

The expansion of businesses that could operate include: APUA and cable television bill payment services, vehicle parts shops (delivery only), hardware stores, marine services, sole traders to include: landscapers, vehicle maintenance personnel, and construction companies. For the latter, only individuals without pre-existing health conditions should be allowed to work on construction sites and their shall be no car pooling. Beaches remain closed to the public.

The commissioning of the Infectious Disease Centre will be done early next week, at which time we will ramp up our Covid testing and the delivery of masks to the public.

We would like to encourage the use of e-commerce as available to reduce the amount of people to people exchanges. Accordingly, we call on all supermarkets to provide online delivery services.

The situation remains extremely fluid and unpredictable with considerable risks. Therefore, citizens and residents, especially those with pre-existing health conditions are required to stay at home and work from home as appropriate.