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CXC Exams Progressing Smoothly, Reports Education Minister Powell

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CXC Exams Progressing Smoothly, Reports Education Minister Powell

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 08, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell, said that the structures put in place to facilitate the local sitting of CXC Examinations are progressing smoothly.

This year’s sitting, which started about two weeks ago, is taking place amidst community transmission of COVID-19. In response, health authorities instituted 24-hour curfews and limited movement provisions to break the transmission cycle. Special arrangements were created to facilitate the exams, allowing students to travel during the curfew and to minimize any possible spread of the virus.

Minister Powell gave an update on the process during the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on July 08, 2021. He noted that there were some initial cases where students or their parents travelling with them, forgot the travel pass exemption to present to authorities. However, this was quickly rectified.

“So far we have had no incidences that need to be reported,” he stated, noting that he has visited several of the examination sites with the most recent tour being yesterday.

“I use this opportunity to say thank you to students and parents for their continued support in terms of compliance with the protocols. Thank you to Solomon Claxton, our CXC Registrar, who has been overseeing this entire process and who has been quite busy, working to ensure things go smoothly,” the education minister added.

He also expressed appreciation to the examination invigilators and other staff facilitating the process.

Minister Powell wished the students and adults taking exams all the best and said that he was looking forward to positive reports when the regional grading is complete.

New Taiwan Ambassador Appointed In SKN

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New Taiwan Ambassador Appointed In SKN

By: Spokesman Newsroom

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th July 2021)-Micheal Lin is the newly-appointed Taiwan Ambassador to St.Kitts and Nevis.

Via a Facebook page of Taiwan in St.Kitts and Nevis, such information was publicised on Tuesday 29th June 2021.

It was shared that Ambassador Lin who was initially posted to St. Kitts and Nevis as counselor in Feb. 2018, has been devoted to fostering relations between Taiwan and St.Kitts and over the past three years.

“He was notably the key person in organising the visits of President Tsai and Taiwan’s honour guard corps, and facilitating the delivery of Taiwan-made police vehicles as well as many other bilateral cooperation projects in infrastructure and social security,” it was stated.

Furthermore: “With his great connections and deep familiarity with the country, Amb. Lin’s leadership is promising for ever closer bilateral exchanges & fruitful cooperation. Taiwan and St. Kitts & Nevis will always be the best partners, weathering challenges and advancing prosperity & sustainable development. Long live our cordial friendship!”

The immediate past Taiwanese Ambassador is Tom Lee.

SKN Athletes To Participate In NACAC Championship In Costa Rica

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SKN Athletes To Participate In NACAC Championship In Costa Rica

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 7th 2021―Four athletes from St. Kitts and Nevis will compete in the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under 18 and Under 23 Championship in San Jose, Costa Rica from 9th – 11th July. These athletes are Amaya Clarke, Jahnaza Francis, Ian Liburd and Leroy Chapman. Eric Francis will serve as the head coach.

Amaya Clarke, a junior at University of Akron and member of the team for the Tokyo 2020 olympic games, will compete in the Under 23 Women’s 100 meter dash. Jahnaza Francis, freshman at Lincoln University, will compete in the Under 23 400 meter hurdles event. Ian Liburd,  will compete in the Under 23 100 meter dash and the Under 200 meter event. Leroy Chapman will compete in the 400 meter event.

Jahnaza Francis

SKN Athletics President Delwayne Delaney said that despite the abrupt end to the 2020-2021 track and field season in St. Kitts Nevis, his executive is proud to support these athletes in this athletic championship. “We had to curtail and outright cancel many events for the track season 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 season, including big events like the inter-primary and inter-high school events,” Delaney said. “However despite these cancellations, we encouraged our athletes to continue training to remain in top form. I am delighted that we were able to support these athletes as they compete in their respective events. I expect all of them to give their best performances and to be ambassadors for the federation.”

Ian Liburd

Liburd and Chapman will leave St. Kitts on Wednesday July 7th and will join their other teammates and head coach in Miami where they will all depart for Costa Rica on Thursday July 8th 2021.

Leroy Chapman

The Executive of SKN Athletics on behalf of the entire track and field community wishes to congratulate the athletes for being selected and wishes them the best in their events. The association also wishes to thank the National Olympic Committee for its assistance and support.

More about SKN Athletics

SKN Athletics, formerly SKNAAA, is the governing body for track and field in St. Kitts and Nevis and is responsible for the promotion and control of the sport of athletics. The association also organizes and regulates the sport in accordance with the rules and regulations of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

The association was formally established in 1977 and is managed by an Executive of eleven (11), with its Secretariat located at Sprott Street, Basseterre. The association is a member of World Athletics, and the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC). SKN Athletics is a founding and important member of the St. Kitts & Nevis Olympic Committee.

For more information please contact SKN Athletics at athleticsskn@gmail.com.

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Less Quarantine Days Being Discussed In Reopening Of Tourism Sector

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Less Quarantine Days Being Discussed In Reopening Of Tourism Sector

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 9th July 2021)-Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force Abdias Samuel has highlighted that there are recommendations for reducing quarantine in hopes of increasing stay-over tourists to St.Kitts-Nevis.

In giving a recap of a recent stakeholder’s meeting while speaking at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 7th July 2021, he stated that the Tourism sector was discussed regarding the opening of beach bars and restaurants, the opening of restaurants and bars in general and also the return of the cruise industry.

“That is priority for us. We would love to see the tourism sector become alive and highly competitive, and one of the best in the region, and we are looking at these sectors. We are hoping that the stay-over tourists or guests would increase as well, and that is why some recommendations are on the table for the reduction of the quarantine period,” Samuel said.

In related tourism news, according to an assessment by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as posted on its website on Tuesday 6th July 2021 titled ‘St. Kitts and Nevis: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2021 Article IV Mission’ “An expected rebound in tourism sets the stage for a strong recovery from 2022 onward, but risks to the outlook remain significant.”

It was further expressed that: “We project a small further decline in GDP of 1 percent in 2021, followed by 10 percent growth in 2022. The pre-pandemic GDP level is expected to be reached in 2024. However, the recovery path could be derailed should the pandemic impose sustained disruptions on the anticipated pace of tourism inflows and domestic activity. Other risks include financial sector uncertainties, natural disasters, and lower-than-expected CBI receipts.”

Opposition Calls Out PM Harris On Political Pandemic Attack  During Emergency Parliament

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Opposition Calls Out PM Harris On Political Pandemic Attack  During Emergency Parliament

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st June 2021)- While the government side of Parliament on Monday 28th June 2021 saw the ‘ayes’ having it for a six-month extension of the State of Emergency (SOE), such came about in the aftermath of a lengthy debate during which the opposition side rejected comments by mover of the resolution Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris “attacking” the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) amid the COVID-19 pandemic management.

Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas, at the emergency sitting of that day’s session said it was a “vicious attack”.

“It is very unfortunate that this is how we are starting this debate. With the Prime Minister making a presentation attacking the Labour Party. So it’s the Labour Party that is responsible for all that has gone wrong here in the management of this pandemic? Because that is what he says! He said we have politicized the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are not managing the pandemic. He is responsible for the management of the pandemic here in St.Kitts and Nevis. We here in this parliament can lend our support, we are not leading it, and he has failed in the leadership of this pandemic here in our country going on for almost 18 months.”
Dr. Douglas, a medical physician, pointed out that it was important to respond immediately in that particular way so as to publicly indicate that the SKNLP is not going to “accept any blame.”

“The St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party has been out there from the very beginning… They [the government] politicised the management, only selecting those whom they want to select. Others have come forward [saying] we want to be helpful as stakeholders [and the government responding] ‘No we don’t need you!’ and now he’s saying (PM Harris) we are politicising the management of the pandemic of all things which is crazy and ridiculous. The time for the game of blaming is over. People are dying, people are dying, and all he could do is blame someone else for the three deaths that we’ve had here in this country over this,” he remarked.

PM Harris, during his presentation responded to by Dr. Douglas, claimed the SKNLP “saw a game to be played for political advantage” regarding the pandemic.
The National Security Minister politically claimed that 98% of doctors in the country are vaccinated except for those who sit in the SKNLP.

“I said most doctors, 98% of them. Really, the only doctors in the country who do not support community immunization programme sit in the Labour Party…They (SKNLP) have made no serious effort to encourage people to be vaccinated…”

According to Dr. Douglas: “The Prime Minister in his usual style, who does not accept blame for anything launched a vicious attack a moment ago on the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party of which am the leader at this time. Here we are in the parliament of this country  where we’re hearing in one breath  that there should be a common purpose ; a togetherness in fighting this particular pandemic  but here is the Prime Minister- the member for Number Seven  almost within 10 minutes  of his presentation  is launching  an attack on the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.”  

“He has said a number of things a moment ago that we have no serious support coming from this side; that the only doctors in the country who have not supported that  vaccine are on the opposite side and support the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party,” he added.

According to Dr. Douglas: “I didn’t intend to start like this. I intended to come here, reason why we need the State Of Emergency, why it couldn’t be called before now, reasoning on what is a reasonable duration period for this State Of Emergency but here am I basically responding to the unfortunate statement of the Prime Minister who is the Minister of National Security; the Minister responsible for NEMA [National Emergency Management Agency], the Minister responsible for NEOC [National  Emergency Operations Centre],HEOC [Health Emergency Operation Centre] for COVID-19…”

The three Opposition members Dr. Douglas along with Parliamentary Representative for Constituency One (East Basseterre) Dr. Geoffrey Hanley and Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke walked out during the vote for the passing of the resolution.

A media statement partly indicated that: “In the end members on the opposition benches felt that they could not support a State of Emergency that was too little too late and for such a long period of time, which could mean lockdowns and restrictions and further human suffering until year end.”

Healthier Food Package Options A Topic In Social Services Outreach

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Healthier Food Package Options A Topic In Social Services Outreach

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st July 2021)- Discussions involving the Ministry of Social Services are currently taking place on the topic of providing healthier food options to recipients of food packages.

Permanent Secretary of that ministry, Janelle Lewis-Tafari, shared an insight during her presentation at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 30th June 2021.

According to her: “The Ministry of Social Services continues to coordinate efforts to provide relief to persons affected by the pandemic. As of June 29th, the number of persons who have benefitted to date include persons from 471 households. Of these households, 302 were in quarantine or isolation and 169 had heads who were either unemployed or who had reduced income.”

Lewis-Tafari said the ministry has recently met with representatives from NEMA [National Emergency Management Agency], agriculture and people empowerment to discuss “how we can provide healthier food options to recipients of the food packages and at the same time support our local farmers.”

She said the Ministry of Tourism has also discussed with her ministry how to include fruits from the Eco Park in the packages to persons.

The social services official said caring citizens and community groups continue to support our efforts with the most recent contribution being a donation from the Rotary Club of St.Kitts who donated on Monday 28th June a substantial amount of food items.

She said the St.Christopher and Nevis Social Security Board has also committed to providing 1250 food vouchers valued at $200 each to households who do not currently receive assistance from either the food voucher programme or the poverty alleviation programme.

It was also highlighted that the NEMA district committee have been mobilized to submit the names of households in their districts who can benefit from the vouchers.
Lewis-Tafari said persons from the Spanish speaking community are also welcomed, noting that there are members of staff who are fluent in Spanish.
To register for assistance, persons can call 662-7710, 662-6473, 662-5539 and 662-5993.

Nevis Gets Dose Of 24-Lockdown After Two Active Cases

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Nevis Gets Dose Of 24-Lockdown After Two Active Cases

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Sunday 4th July 2021)- Stemming from two active COVID-19 cases, Nevis has been included in the 24-hour lockdown restrictions, and the period for such is slated to end on both islands on Monday 12th July 2021.

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, in an address to the nation on Friday 2nd July gave details which followed one week after a previous address (on 25th June) excluding the sister isle from fresh restrictive measures put in place for St.Kitts since Nevis had zero cases at the time.

Informing that has been in close contact with the Premier of Nevis Mark Brantley, he (Dr. Harris) remarked: “We have agreed that in an effort to save lives and avoid any further escalation of the situation on Nevis, the island of Nevis should as of Saturday, July 03rd at 6:01 pm be under the same regime of restrictions as currently in place on St Kitts.”

He added: “The necessary SR&O will be published to reflect this. For the avoidance of doubt therefore, the island of Nevis as of tomorrow Saturday at 6:01 pm will be under 24 hour lockdown and will have days of limited operations coinciding with the same days on St. Kitts over the duration of the lockdown period. The period of the enhanced restrictions on Nevis will run until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021, in the first instance.  These restrictions on Nevis will expire at the same time as the restrictions on St Kitts as per SR&O No. 27 of 2021. 

 In speaking about the development in Nevis, PM Harris said: “To date the community spread we have experienced on St Kitts has not been as severe on our sister island of Nevis. It is for that reason that the restrictive measures taken on St Kitts were not identical to those taken on Nevis. However, Nevis recorded case number 16 on Tuesday June 29th and as yesterday July 01st recorded case number 17 through the contact tracing.”

He continued: “It is known that case number 16 works in an environment with extremely vulnerable persons and the contact tracing by the health authorities on Nevis continues even as I speak. The situation remains very fluid and of considerable concern to health authorities in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.”

Additionally, he went on to say that given the risks associated with case 16 and the ongoing contact tracing on Nevis which has already led to case 17.

Notably, case 18 was recorded on Saturday 3rd July.

State of Emergency In SKN Expires December 2021

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State of Emergency In SKN Expires December 2021

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st July 2021)-Under section 19 Subsection 3 of the St. Christopher and Nevis Constitution Order, the State of Emergency (SOE)  has been extended following the passing of the resolution on Monday 28th June 2021 at an emergency sitting of the National Assembly.

The extension is slated to take effect from Wednesday 7th July 2021 and will expire on Friday 31st December 2021. Mover of the resolution, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris said “A state of emergency is required to contain the community spread of COVId-19 in St.Kitts and Nevis and prevent the overwhelming of our health system, and obviously then, an extension to save lives.”

He pointed out that such an extension “provides a sound legal anchor for the promulgation of curfews in St. Kitts and Nevis that prohibit the movement of persons that can help halt the spread of the disease.”

Details on the COVID-19 health situation for St.Kitts-Nevis as of 6PM on Thursday 1st July 2021 highlights 11 new active cases recorded with 10 in St.Kitts and one in Nevis. As of that date, Nevis had two active while St.Kitts had 253.

Lightning Strike Damages Electricity Pole

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Lightning Strike Damages Electricity Pole

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st July 2021)– Officials have confirmed that social media reports about a lightning strike damaging a wooden utility pole in St.Kitts on Wednesday 29th June 2021 is true.

Such confirmation has been provided by the St.Kitts Electricity Company Limited (SKELEC).At the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Wednesday 30th June, National Disaster Coordinator at NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) Abdias Samuel shared SKELEC’s statement details from Corporate Communications Manager Patrice Harris on behalf of General Manager Clement J.Williams.

It was said that there were several outrages caused by the lightning strike that morning as reported in Buckley’s, Buckley’s Park, Lim Kiln, Pine Gardens, Shadwell, West Farm, Frigate Bay, Bird Rock, Calypso Bay , Boyds following which the team were able to successfully restore all outrages by midday.

“We wish to confirm that videos circulating on social media are true. The strike did cause a pole to split in two in the Lime Kiln area. Our teams were able to respond quickly and power was restored. There was no damage to life or property,” Samuel read.

This media house notes that in a cellphone recording in the aftermath of the lightning incident, an eyewitness gives a description of the damage to the pole which included splinters scattered on the street.

Further SKELEC update said that there were also reports of low voltage in the Boyds and West Farm area and that the team responded and the issues were resolved.

Customers are advised that whenever there are instances of low voltages, in order to avoid damage to appliances, their main switch must be turned off. Customers who do not know where the main switch is located are advised to call a certified electrician.In related details, Samuel informed that telecommunications company FLOW has reported modem damage for some customers which will be replaced in a timely manner once a fault report is received.

All customers who were impacted are encouraged by FLOW to report service issues by dialing 611 or sending a WhatsApp message to its virtual store via 669-3569. Additionally, limited opening store access was scheduled for Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd July from 9AM to 1PM for customer support and critical customer care only.

Furthermore, it is said that customers should unplug electrical and telephone lines from their modem and to set top boxes to protect them from lightning damage.

Meanwhile, the Water Department has reported that a source at Wingfield area (in Old Road) had to be disconnected for approximately two hours with further assessment being done in the area due to the heavy muddy waters which flowed from the mountain side that day.

“You see what the impact that tropical systems can have on the Federation whether directly or indirectly, and in this regard, I want to ask you to continue to prepare, be resilient [and] use the opportunity on Thursday and Friday to go to the hardware stores   to get supplies and materials to either restock or to make home repairs…” Samuel encouraged.

COVID-19 Variant In SKN Widespread In South America

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COVID-19 Variant In SKN Widespread In South America

BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Thursday 1st June 2021)-The type of COVID-19 variant circulating in St.Kitts and Nevis, called Lambda, is prevalent in South America countries, and is of interest to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The disclosure was made by the Chief Medical officer Dr. Hazel Laws during the health situation report at the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Daily Briefing held on Saturday 26th June 2021.

“We’ve gotten a number of questions regarding the genomic sequencing process, and so we shared with you about 3-4 weeks ago that we sent off samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for genomic sequencing. So the result just returned and I want to share with you the SARS -2 variant that is in circulation in the Federation at present.”

Dr. Laws indicated that reports say that the SARS-2 variant belongs to the lineage B.1.1.1 or C.37. The World Health Organization’s label for this variant is the Lambda variant.

She went on to say that it is “classified as a variant of interest” by the WHO.“

The SARS-2 variant was first identified in Peru in August of last year, and to date it has been identified in over 29 countries. It is quite prevalent in the South American Countries including Argentina,” the CMO shared.

Local health officials say Lambda is more transmissible.

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