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PM Harris says prematurely reopening St. Kitts-Nevis’ borders to non-essential traffic “would put at risk all our collective efforts to date and bring much pain”

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PM Harris says prematurely reopening St. Kitts-Nevis’ borders to non-essential traffic “would put at risk all our collective efforts to date and bring much pain”

While explaining why there is no rush to reopen St. Kitts and Nevis’ borders to non-essential traffic, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said last Saturday on WINN (98.9) FM’s Inside the News that, “Opening our borders prematurely would put at risk all our collective efforts to date and will bring much pain.”

Speaking two weeks ago on the Saturday, April 25th edition of Inside the News, Prime Minister Harris said, “There are no immediate plans to unlock our borders other than in the measured way that we have allowed them to operate.”

For instance, cargo flights, cargo ships, commercial courier flights, emergency medical flights and emergency flights approved by the Air Ports Authorities are being permitted entry (see SR&O No. 16 of 2020, Regulation 11, Section 2) into St. Kitts and Nevis.

Speaking again on the matter last Saturday, May 9th during his seventh consecutive appearance on WINN (98.9) FM’s Inside the News, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis indicated that his administration’s cautious approach is being guided by the advice of medical professionals.

“At this particular moment in time, the medical advice and all the professional advice we have is that our borders should remain closed for the foreseeable future,” the Prime Minister said.

“When we see the deaths that are taking place – and the count keeps increasing – in New York, in New Jersey, in Florida and elsewhere in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom, I could appreciate why people would quickly understand the need for our borders to be closed and that we should not rush to open them,” Prime Minister Harris added, while noting that confirmed coronavirus cases in St. Kitts and Nevis “by and large have been imported.”

The Prime Minister further stated that, “One of the challenges of the pandemic for all countries has been not to overwhelm the health system. When the health system is overwhelmed, more persons would as a consequence die.”

So far in St. Kitts and Nevis, there have been no coronavirus-related hospitalizations and no deaths from the virus. Moreover, as at 3:00pm Sunday, May 10th, all but one of the 15 persons who had been diagnosed with the coronavirus have since recovered.

“Today, the health sector is stronger and better than it was [pre-COVID-19],” the Prime Minister said last Saturday, explaining that the past several months in St. Kitts and Nevis have been focused wisely on carrying out an effective public education programme and strengthening the country’s health facilities.

Vernon Connor, oldest living male in the Federation, turns 100

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Vernon Connor, oldest living male in the Federation, turns 100

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 08, 2020 (SKNIS): Vernon Connor of Soho Village has turned 100 years old on May 08, making him the oldest male within the federation.

On his special day, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services has extended Birthday greetings to Mr. Connor. “Congratulations on becoming a centenarian Mr. Connor,” said the ministry.

Vernon Roy Connor was born on the island of Anguilla on Thursday, May 8, 1920, to Wilfred Josiah Connor and Dorothy Brooks Connor. In a quest to create a life for himself, he travelled by boat to the Dominican Republic and to other neighbouring islands.

Vernon was 18 when he journeyed to and stayed in St. Thomas for three years. When there was no work in St. Thomas, all the aliens were sent home. He went back to Anguilla for six years. At age 27, he migrated to St. Kitts in search of work. He stayed with Auntie Richards. Her husband got him a job packing up bagasse, weeding the field, and spreading manure at Ponds Estate. His week’s pay was 10 shillings ($2.50).

In January 1950, he started work at the St Kitts Sugar factory as a painter and a member of the railway yard gang. He was promoted for his good work. He became understudy to persons going on leave and would fill in in their absence. When one of the clerks passed in 1954, he was given a permanent job as a clerk in the railway office. During the dull seasons, he would paint all the line gate signal stations and sign boards. Also, for three years, he was supervisor of the railway cleaning gang. He retired in 1990, after working for 40 years at the Sugar Factory.

Vernon met Esther Alvira Henry while residing with his sister, Auntie Sutton. Auntie Sutton was renting a downstairs apartment from Esther’s mother, Ida Henry (whom we called Sister).

It was there he met Esther who was 13 at the time. He used to give her notes in a match box. ‘Twas quite a love story!

In 1954, they got married. They each had seven (7) children: six (6), they shared as husband and wife, and eight (8), as a family. They are Winifred, Hilton, Leslie, Joycelyn, Asheila, Rudolph, Errol and Steadroy.

They had planned to travel after raising their children, but in 1971 she died at age 37. Her last words to him were, “Please take care of my children, and do not let anyone take advantage of them. He promised, not knowing that she was preparing to leave. He has kept his promise up to this day. He believes she was the one and the only one. He discovered that he could never find another like her. In deference to her wishes, he did not get into any serious relationship, nor did he remarry.

2020 International Workers Day (Labour Day) Speech by President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union – Sydney Bridgewater

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2020 International Workers Day (Labour Day) Speech by President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union – Sydney Bridgewater

Greetings everyone,

First off, let me pay tribute to late president Joseph O’Flaherty Jr. who passed away one year ago on this occasion. We deeply appreciate his contributions over the years.

We also continue to keep our immediate past General Secretary Batumba Tak in our thought and prayers for good health and strength each day as he goes about a new lifestyle as a wheelchair user following a medical procedure in 2019. His contributions, we also grateful for.

In the context of the 2020 International Labour  Day-also commonly known as ‘ Workers’ Day’, it goes without saying that I am addressing you during a very challenging period amidst the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

On Tuesday 28th April 2020, for the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean hosted a virtual roundtable on Safety and Health at Work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, using hash tag ‘Resilient With Decent Work’ as the theme.

The event-held via zoom technology- formed part of a series to discuss the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and how it affects the world of work, and also to explore solutions.

Panelist Ariel Pino, an ILO Specialist, Social Protection and Occupational Safety and Health listed four (4) areas of impact on the world of work concerning COVID-19:

(1)            Increased unemployment and underemployment

(2)            Reduced access to social protection

(3)            Particularly negative effects on specific groups more vulnerable to adverse labour market outcomes

(4)            Worsened working conditions and Occupational Safety and Health

Having sat in a recent meeting with the competent authority, the St.Kitts- Nevis Trades & Labour was painted a picture of what our reality, including information shared about the expected high number of workers (especially in the tourism sector) whose lives are and would be negatively impacted through loss of jobs, stemming from the closure of businesses.

For our organization, we view this reality from an angle whereby our hearts go out each and every individual- including workers who are part of the Union membership- whose livelihood is now disrupted whether through job cuts or reduced income.

It is important to note information coming from the Department of Labour that workers are being asked to use their annual paid holidays on the days when the Federation is on 24 hours lockdown which goes against the guidelines of Holidays With Pay Act.

To this matter we say: Employees must not be disadvantaged at any time, and for this to be happening during this period, it is most concerning and we ask all workplaces guilty of such to desist while we call on the Labour Department to be ready to handle such grievances.

Moving on: At this present time our, Union is dealing with an industrial matter that is under the purview of the competent authorities due to a changed up scenario caused by the pandemic but not in the general sense of what is happening now. To this particular situation, I hereby encourage management to look closely at how the workers are now the top subject of keeping the machinery of operation running at this turn of events.   

The Union remains vigilant and committed to provide assistance in representing the interest of the workers as we stand firm in the principles embedded in the historical pedigree of our foundation.

To our healthcare workers-including nurses, doctors, emergency technicians etc., we salute you. Indeed, you are amazing and we owe you a debt of gratitude. We are quite aware of the tremendous sacrifice that you make on a daily basis.

At this time, your dedication, skills as well as your ‘above and beyond’ efforts truly take the spotlight as you shine as real life superheroes.  

A special note of praise is also extended to the group of other essential workers such as security officers, cleaners, grocery stores employees, delivery men and women, utility maintenance crews who help to keep us going at this time.

There are some of you who are financially poised to stay afloat while others of you do not have the luxury to tap into ‘a rainy day account’ when the fact is this situation has created a downpour of uncertainty and further financial obstacles for you.

The saga of COVID-19 is stressful for many us as social distancing has changed the way we do business and mingle. I know many of you miss having light moments with friends and coworkers after work, especially on the weekends.

In conclusion, as we gradually transition in the atmosphere of the new normal on a global scale, let us focus on how resilient of a people we are. We have to challenge ourselves to look towards the future; mentally prepare yourself to set goals. The world has slowed down but our spirit of hope and optimism must keep going or begin to take off.

Being resilient requires us to spring back after a period of difficulty and regardless of the pace we take, may our attitude cushion our future steps in moving forward, and with God in our vessel, we shall smile at the storm. Be safe everyone.

COVID-19 SKN: 3 Patients Recovering, Over 50 Overseas Students Under Quarantine

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COVID-19 SKN: 3 Patients Recovering, Over 50 Overseas Students Under Quarantine

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 8th May 2020) – Three individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus are left covering from the illness as a total of 12 out of 15 have beaten the illness to date.

Furthermore to date, 52 St.Kitts-Nevis nationals who arrived the Federation from Jamaica as returning students amidst the pandemic on Thursday 30th April 2020 are among those under quarantine at a government facility

Public Relations Officer of the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) Dr. Marissa Carty in a Thursday 7th May 2020 situation report at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing on Thursday 7th May 2020 informed about the three patients who remain in isolation.

Other current details given at that time include the following: 327 individuals sampled and tested, 7 results pending, 56 persons quarantined in a government facility, 4 quarantined at home and 751 persons released from quarantine.

Information about the students has been publicised by Chairman of the COVID-19 National Task Force Abdias Samuel.

Normal- Like Guidelines In New Two-Week Curfew Schedule

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Normal- Like Guidelines In New Two-Week Curfew Schedule

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 8th May 2020)-Limited beach access, a different nightly curfew as well as an extra day of limited operations along with an added hour have been included in a fresh two-week schedule for the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, slated Saturday 9th May to Saturday 23rd May 2020, surrounding new restrictions for measures in place for the fight against the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris gave details in an address to the nation on Thursday 7th May in a follow-up to the current guidelines that expires on Saturday 9th May 9th at 5:59am. 

He said “these regulations will continue the process of gradually opening our Federation to more economic and social activity” whilst noting “We must do so cautiously and carefully.  Danger still lurks and the war against this global pandemic is far from over or won.”

As explained, on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May, there will be a 24-hour (total lockdown) curfew as done during recent weekends for this two-week period.
 
There will be five days of limited business operations this time around which now sees an extra day included.

“From Monday 11th May and every day next week to Friday 15th May, businesses will enjoy an additional day of limited operations as long as they practice social distancing and physical distancing protocols,” Dr. Harris said.

According to him: “They must also provide for a sanitized environment and insist that their staff and customers wear face masks, as we turn to a semblance of near normalcy.  No one, I repeat, no one should be out in public without wearing a mask or an article covering his or her nose and mouth.”

Dr. Harris further stated that regulations will also provide for a similar pattern to be followed during the week beginning Monday, 18th May to Friday 22nd May.  That is, there will be five days of limited business operations from Monday to Friday.

“Some restrictions under these regulations will be relaxed. We will, for example, extend the day of limited operations to 8:00pm instead of 7:00pm to allow businesses to have an additional hour in the evening. Where businesses would have closed at 5:00pm to allow customers and staff to conform to the 7:00pm start of the nightly curfew, they can now close to the public at 6:00pm. Businesses will not only have a five-day work week to operate but an additional hour as well on each day of limited business operations.”

Concerning the nightly curfew, Dr. Harris noted that such will continue and that it must be adhered to.  Nightly curfew will now start at 8:00pm and end an hour earlier at 5:00am the following day.

On the topic of limited access to beaches, he told that the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws recommended that beaches can be re-opened for swimming and exercising only between the hours of 5:30am and 9:00am.

“A physical distance of at least six feet must be maintained between individuals unless they are members of the same household. But there should be absolutely no beach parties nor picnics allowed. Let me repeat, there should be absolutely no beach parties nor picnics allowed. These activities increase the risk of transmission of the virus, which we are working so very hard to contain.”

Countdown To General Election Date Is On?

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Countdown To General Election Date Is On?

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 8th May 2020) –The outbreak of the novel coronavirus  (COVID-19) pandemic has collided with the constitutionally due general elections five-year cycle in St.Kitts-Nevis, and to this end as many citizens and residents await to hear the decision regarding expected the 14th May 2020 timeline for parliament to dissolve.

Attorney General Vincent Byron Jr. while addressing the subject matter during the question and answer segment of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Thursday 30th April 2020 said an election is expected this year but pointed to a court handling should there be reason to extend or to delay or to postpone such.

“We are aware that the Constitution requires that five years after parliament or the sitting of parliament after an election parliament dissolves so that after the first hearing would have been in May 14th 2015 and on May 14th 2020, the parliament automatically dissolves unless His Excellency the Governor General is asked by the honourable Prime Minister to do so. The Prime Minister has the authority under the Constitution to request Parliament to be dissolved.”

He continued: “When parliament is prorogued by the Constitution, there are ninety (90) days by which a general election should be held so that if parliament was to be dissolved automatically no later than May 14th in 2020; 90 days from then may well be something like the 11th of August of this year when there must be a general election under the Constitution.”

Touching on an instance for otherwise, he expressed: “I would not want to get into legal discussion but there may well be common law principles that may be involved or used before a court if there is a need or the necessity to extend or to delay or to postpone an election.”

“At this point in time that is not envisaged and we would hope that we will be able to conduct a general election with the constitutionally mandated frame, and so it is not contemplated that elections should extend beyond the 14th of August this year,” he emphasized.

According to the Attorney General: “Questions of common law, questions of necessity and so forth do not pertain as we are not in that situation at this point in time and we depend on our medical professionals to guide and advise us as to how we will be able to.”

Robbery Victim Who Cried For Help Online Hit By Intruder

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Robbery Victim Who Cried For Help Online Hit By Intruder

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 6th May 2020) – A woman believed to be in her 60s who asked- via a social media post- that someone call the police in the aftermath of a robbery was allegedly hit by one of the three home intruders during the incident.

Police are investigating an incident in which Sue Woodard of Half Moon Bay was robbed and physically assaulted on Saturday 2nd May 2020.

Credible information received indicates that she was left with a swollen eye.

Reportedly, Woodard was in her home when three masked men entered and demanded money.

According to police, she resisted and was assaulted by one of them men. The assailants took a small sum of money, as well as a number of personal items and fled the scene.

This media house understands that at 7:48 PM on the night in question, Woodard placed the following message: “Help! I’ve just been robbed. They took my phone. Please call the police for me.”

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Persons with information about this incident are asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at the Basseterre Police Station by dialing 465-2241, the nearest police station or the crime hotline at 707.

SKNLP Observes International Workers Day Through Virtual Real-Time

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SKNLP Observes International Workers Day Through Virtual Real-Time

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 6th May 2020)-The Opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) opted for virtual reality for the 2020 observance of Labour day, commonly known as International Workers Day on Monday 4th May in light of curfew measures for COVID-19.

Traditionally, large crowd have gathered in down town Basseterre over the year with a workers day march and rally along with other festivities.

More details to be provided in a follow-up report.

3 Patients Left Recovering From COVID-19

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3 Patients Left Recovering From COVID-19

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 6th May 2020) – Three individuals tested positive for the novel coronavirus are left covering from the illness as a total of 12 out of 15 have beaten the illness to date.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws gave such details while giving the situation report at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing on Tuesday 5th May 2020.

Other current details include the following:

0 results pending

55 persons quarantined in a government facility

5 quarantined at home

744 persons released from quarantine

Dr. Drew Condemns Latest “Fake Story” On Test Kits Donation

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Dr. Drew Condemns Latest “Fake Story” On Test Kits Donation

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 1st May 2020) – Medical practitioner Dr. Terrance Drew is condemning a latest social media “fake story”- on the recent antibody test kit sample donation to the Ministry of Health- labelled another political attempt to undermine his ongoing interest in providing assistance on a national front in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in St.Kitts-Nevis.

This media house came across the item- done via a video presentation this week- which features the voice of a male with an American accent believed to be a computer-generated one.

Dr. Drew views the attempts of mud-slinging at his character as being based on party politics with him being the current Chairman of the opposition St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and also the candidate for Constituency Eight in the upcoming general elections.

He has pointed to fresh development out of St.Vincent and the Grenadines whereby the government is looking into carrying out of antibody rapid testing using similar sample of the nineteen (19) antibody rapid test kits which were on 26th March 2020 presented to the Ministry of Health by him (Dr. Drew) for evaluation that got rejected by the St.Kitts-Nevis government.

Dr. Drew, a specialist in internal medicine, continues to echo calls for more robust testing to be carried out in the Federation.

For him, that type of universal testing, should be conducted “to test those who are even asymptomatic and those who are in quarantine and asymptomatic; those, too, should also be tested because that is the best case scenario. The more people you test, the better is. The more testing done will result in more information we will get in order to deal with this virus.”

Junior Minister of Health Senator Wendy Phipps had initially stated at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Saturday 4th April 2020 said: “We would have received a small donation from Dr. Terrance Drew in the amount of 19 test kits. Unfortunately the Ministry of Health cannot act on that donation because these test kits are written in Mandarin Chinese. The box is also in Chinese. We have no way of verifying the efficacy of the test that can be done. So for the time being we have basically shelved the donation. We acknowledge it nevertheless.”

Junior Minister of Health Senator Wendy Phipps at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) live daily briefing held on Monday 6th April 2020 (Spokesman Screenshot)

Her comments led to a widespread public debate as many critics questioned the type of reason given. On separate occasion, Phipps has publicly talked about the growing media attention in the international press concerning test kits from China being faulty.

Those recently donated sample test kits, Dr. Drew says, came from a company that is certified by CFDA (China Food and Drug Administration) and CE, which as understood stands for “Communauté Européenne” meaning French for “European Community” with the marking used for particular products sold within the European Economic Area and is found on products sold outside the Area too.

Via a live appearance on Facebook, Dr. Drew shared with the viewers, information about the test kits and also addressed the remarks made by Phipps.

As told, those tests kits were secured by him and SKNLP leader and former Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas who is also a medical doctor; both of them being the only ones in the current political field who are doctors, and according to Dr. Drew as a result of “such it is important that we join the fight.”

“I want the people in this country to know that this is not a political issue for us. We are actually part of the medical fraternity and we want to lend a hand in fighting this disease. As I have said in the beginning it has to be an approach of all hands on deck. It is a failure for the government not to call all persons together as was done in other countries to fight this virus. We have to do it together,” Dr. Drew said.

As captured in a recent Facebook commentary by him: “Under the NextGen SKN, all health and scientific initiatives will have to comply with the highest international standards and rule of law while protecting our people and benefiting from a modernized scientific sector. That is why with the issue of the test kits, I made sure that I followed the procedure and delivered the kits to the CMO’s [Chief Medical Officer] office for evaluation.”

Dr. Drew went on to say: “In the scientific world I would be applauded for this action but in our country some have sought to drag my name through the mud to score cheap political points. However, our people are educated and know better thus this will not work.

He said the normal process is to submit new products to the CMO’s office for evaluation and then a decision is made noting “Therefore, I followed the established legal and scientific channels. I am a strict adherent to the protocols governing the Ministry of Health.”

Antibody test kits donation to the Ministry of Health from the St. Kitts-Nevis Biomedical Research Foundation by Dr. Redmond and Mr. Alexis Nisbett have been publicly applauded at a NEOC daily briefing by Senator Phipps, for which Dr. Drew holds that “it is clear that the action of the Minister of Health was politically motivated.”

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