Author: SKNISEditor

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris this week reiterated the importance of citizens and residents adhering to the established protocols relating to COVID-19, particularly as the Federation’s borders are expected to be fully reopened to international travel at the end of this month. PrimeMinister Harris said it is imperative that the Federation maintains its status as a low risk territory for COVID-19, as this will be one of the key attractions for persons looking to travel at this time. Inthe latest Risk Assessment Level…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Permanent Secretaries from the various Government ministries on St. Kitts convened an important meeting earlier today, Thursday, October 08, to discuss a number of matters that are critical to the overall functioning of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Themeeting was held at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room and was chaired by Cabinet Secretary, Mrs. Josephine Huggins, with the support of the Chief Personnel Officer, Ms. Sheridane Warner. There, the Permanent Secretaries were updated on the important issue pertaining to the regularization process…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): Of the 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in St. Kitts and Nevis, 18 have recovered, says Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, while speaking at the October 07 National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Weekly Briefing.This means at present there is only one active case, said Dr. Laws. She added that the patient is stable and recovering nicely.St. Kitts and Nevis has continued testing its nationals who would have returned from hot spots and any suspected cases. To date 2,586 persons have been tested with 2452 being negative. One hundred and fifteen results…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): The economy of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to pick up as individuals and businesses adapt to the new normal created by the COVID-19 pandemic.At his Monthly Press Conference earlier this month, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris noted that the manufacturing sector is on course for a productive third quarter of 2020 with 84 percent of employees who are willing to work being back on the job.The prime minister also previously reported that the construction sector continues to be built out with the resumption of projects such as…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): The retrofitting works at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport in St. Kitts are expected to be completed ahead of the October 31 official reopening of the Federation’s borders.During a media tour on October 07, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, gave an overview of the changes taking place at the RLB International Airport.Minister Grant indicated that the works will be done in two phases – phase one involves the retrofitting of the arrival area and the installation of the sneeze guards throughout the airport, while phase two will…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): As of October 18, 2020, access to the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport in St. Kitts will be restricted to persons conducting legitimate business only.This was according to the Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism and Ports during a media tour on October 07, 2020, aimed at updating the media and the general public on the COVID-19 Retrofit Works at the airport.“Access to the airport would be restricted to persons with documented evidence and proof of the need to transact business at the airport, [as well as restricted to] airport staff on schedule…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): All incoming travellers to St. Kitts and Nevis will be asked to download a national COVID-19 mobile application to assist authorities with the necessary monitoring to protect against the spread of the global pandemic. At Wednesday’s (October 07) edition of the National Emergency Operations Centre COVID-19 Weekly Briefing, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws, said that the app will be launched shortly after officials finalize some legal requirements. She highlighted an important feature. “It has geofencing features whereby [we] will be monitoring their location to ensure they are not outside of where they ought to be,”…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 07, 2020 (SKNIS): The Cabinet of St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to begin discussions on the Discounted VAT (Value Added Tax) Rate period for 2020. A discounted rate from the 17 percent VAT is typically offered in December to boost consumer spending during the Christmas and Carnival season. “We will give it some consideration,” said Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris in response to a question by a caller during the October 06, 2020, edition of Leadership Matters. Policymakers have been focused on dealing with the ongoing economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 global pandemic. October is…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 07, 2020 (SKNIS): According to Dr. Cherrilyn Warde-Crawford, Clinical Psychologist within the Ministry of Health, this year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is extremely important and timely given the toll Covid-19 has had on lives and livelihoods. The theme for World Mental Health Day is Mental Health for All: Greater Investment—Greater Access; Everyone, Everywhere. “So, it is mental health for all, greater investment, greater access,” said Dr. Warde-Crawford. “This is so timely because it is saying greater investment, greater access and we want persons to invest in mental health so that everybody could be able to access these services.” Dr.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 07, 2020 (SKNIS): As St. Kitts and Nevis prepares to reopen its borders to international commercial flights and travelers from October 31, 2020, the general public is strongly encouraged to continue to adhere to all COVID-19 health and safety protocols that were implemented to keep citizens and residents safe from the spread of the Coronavirus.  “In preparation for the imminent opening of our borders, we have insisted that our citizens and residents comply with all health protocols especially the wearing of masks in public, frequent hand washing, physical and social distancing and we encourage our citizens and residents…