PM Timothy Harris tells citizens to “Fast and Pray” instead of standing in long grocery lines
St. Kitts and Nevis have once again been placed under 24-hour lockdown. The announcement was made on Friday, 25 June, in a national address. The Prime Minister admitted that the measures taken to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus were not as effective as they anticipated.
To date, the Federation has recorded 428 positive cases and 3 deaths.
The twin-island Federation remains under a state of emergency, with special arrangements for the sister island Nevis, which only has 15 cases to date.
Due to the short notice announcement and being that it is the end of the month, persons flocked to the grocery stores over the weekend to stock up for the lockdown periods. Lines stretched out into the roads as the store owners enforced the social distancing protocols.
During the country’s NEOC briefing press conference on Saturday, 26 June, the Prime Minister, Hon Dr Timothy Harris, reprimanded the citizens stating, “So you go to the supermarket you see it is crowded do not wait, go back home. Use what you have in your house, fast, and pray if needs be.”
The Prime Minister stated that waiting in long lines at the supermarket is strange behaviour adding, “You must avoid the crowds. You must avoid the risk.”
However, the Prime Minister and other Taskforce members continue to encourage citizens to wait in line to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
As of Sunday 27 June, St. Kitts is on 24-hour lockdown until Thursday 1 July. The country will be alternating between 24-hour lockdown and limited movement curfew. On July 2 and 3, the curfew begins at 6:00 am and ends at 6:00 pm. 24-hour lockdown resumes from July 4 to 8, back on limited movement curfew once more on July 9, and 24-hour lockdown again from July 10 to 11.
Special arrangements have been made for students writing CXC/CSEC examinations during the lockdown periods.
Businesses will be closed during the lockdown periods, including doctor’s offices. However, on days of limited movement, essential businesses will be allowed to operate during specified hours.
Farmers and Fishers are also allowed to operate during the days assigned for limited operations. However, female farmers are not pleased with the new arrangements of the State of Emergency. Farmers were restricted to farming only between the hours of 5:00 am to 7:00 am and stated that the time given is “not only too early, but too short”. An appeal has been made to the Prime Minister to revisit the restrictive hours to accommodate female farmers.
An emergency sitting of parliament will convene today, Monday, June 28, 2021.
Liz Myke
Reporter
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