BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 16th April 2021)- In addressing attendees at a Tourism Stakeholder’s Meeting held on Wednesday 14th April 20201 held at the Marriott Hotel, Minister of Tourism stated that a 100% immunity in the tourism sector must be achieved as he promoted and appealed for cooperation in taking the COVID-19 vaccine and likewise spoke about a policy for such going forward.
“We must achieve a 100% immunity in the tourism sector …and this is the only way to balance what we all crave for and I crave for and I am pleading with you to get and that’s to get vaccinated.”
Grant informed that in June 2021, cruises will begin in St.Kitts and Nevis all things being equal with what is planned to be a first phased approach.
“Now what does that mean? We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Health and their team and we’re going to have a phased approach to cruising.That means come June when the cruises begin as the CEO said …we don’t expect five ships in harbor and we also don’t expect it to be business as usual.”
According to Grant: “Obviously, it means that likewise we are going to have to be vaccinated and so the policy going forward for us will be that any purveyors of the industry will have to be vaccinated which means that if you’re a tour operator you’re going to have to be sanctioned by the St.Kitts Tourism Authority and all the members of the team who work in the industry who will come into contact with those individuals who are on the cruise ships will have to be vaccinated.”
As understood, any cruise line that comes to St.Kitts and Nevis, all the crew will have to be vaccinated and all the passengers likewise will have to be vaccinated.All cruise ship passengers over the age of 18 must be vaccinated while children under 18 must present a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to home port disembarkation as well as negative RT-PCR test taken prior to home port departure for all onboard guest and crew.
The Tourism Minister said vaccination is not being made mandatory.
“We are not making vaccination mandatory; let me put it quite clearly so we don’t have any miscommunication in the message.We are not saying that the vaccination is mandatory. We are saying to you that as a policy, we are asking the employers to make sure that their employees are vaccinated and that every single employee who will come into contact with the passengers and the crew are likewise vaccinated.”
It was highlighted that all travel approved tours or attractions, employees and agents interacting with the vessel and engaging in tours must be vaccinated which include ship agents, St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) staff, SCASPA (ST. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority) staff, immigration, Customs, taxi and tour operators and shore excursion teams.
According to Grant, staff who do not take the vaccination will be required to take an RT-PCR test at their own cost every two weeks.
Additionally, he said tour operators on the island will be required to agree to random testing or testing requirements decided by the CMO [Chief Medical Officer] at the owners and employers expense or the employee’s expense.
He said taxi and tour operators and attraction owners must bear the cost of testing, quarantine and isolation of their staff.
Grant went on to say that the Ministry of Health and SKTA will negotiate for discounted sector rates for testing at JNF for quarantine and isolation with approved quarantine site managers and owners.
The Minister of Tourism pointed to the neighbouring island of Anguilla indicating that through changed protocols, the island has seen an almost state of normalcy as a significant amount of the population is vaccinated.
“…everything really hinges on the vaccination,” he told the local stakeholders.
“This is our first step to reviving what we consider to be a very critical industry, a critical element of our economy and so we are expecting that the vaccinated tours and attractions are our pathway and our attract to hopefully full recovery,” Grant stated.
“I’m hoping that we would have much cooperation by persons in the industry so that we can get and arrive at our necessary goals so that we could come back to some state of normalcy,” he said also.
Front Page Photo: This source photo which was posted on www.facebook.com/facesofstkittstourism has the caption, which reads in part, “Tourism Minister The Hon. Lindsay Grant convinces craft vendors who work in the tourism industry to #ChooseLife, by taking the COVID-19 Vaccine. The St. Kitts Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Ministry of Health arranged for a Vaccination Clinic on Port Zante for tourism workers in that area…”
Workers which included workers from the retail shops, restaurants and bars, Amina Craft Market, Port Zante Security and Island Constables Unit
Minister Of Tourism Talks 100% Immunity Through Vaccine For Sector Balance
SKN Considers Options For SVG People Displaced By Volcano
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 16th April 2021)- More than 150 hotel rooms in St.Kitts and Nevis are expected to be reserved so as to accommodate displaced citizens and residents of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, as one of two options, in light of the active La Soufrière volcano should requests be made for hosting facilities in the Federation.
National Disaster Coordinator at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abdias Samuel says there are two options that have been considered in terms of potential acceptance of displaced persons from St.Vincent.
“One is that our hospitable citizens and residents who may want to accept them into their home as a form of sponsorship or Vincentians who are living in St.Kitts and Nevis and they want to have their family returned from the impact zone or the affected areas,” he said while speaking at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) COVID-19 Briefing held on Wednesday 14th April 2021.
For the next option, Samuel- who is also Chairman of the COVID-19 National Task Force- listed hotels that have come on board to assist by way of making rooms available.
He thanked management of the four establishments namely St.Kitts Marriott Hotel who has stated that 30 rooms would be made available, the Koi Resort for 70 rooms to be made available and also Sugar Bay Club who has informed of approximately 30 rooms they will have available.
“On Nevis, my understanding from our colleagues on Nevis is that Mount Nevis is being considered. They have indicated that they may have 30 rooms… to provide these services for the potential acceptance of displaced persons…”, he added.
According to Samuel, “There is no specific date” as it relates to the arrival of individuals from the affected island.
“This will be a well-coordinated activity when the NEMO [National Emergency Management Organisation] would advise CDEMA [Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency] who will then advise the country. Also, we will have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St.Vincent who will be a part of this collaborative effort and they will notify St.Kitts and Nevis when they will have potential candidates who will meet our criteria for being accepted into St.Kitts and Nevis under this particular designation. So at the present moment, we cannot say when this is going to happen. It’s gonna be dependent on the request from the affected state to the countries who are providing these options.”
On Monday 12th April, through a supplies drive arrangement by the government and people of St.Kitts and Nevis including companies and individuals, items were successfully shipped to St.Vincent and the Grenadines that day despite a short notice to the public.
Workers’ representation organisation, The St.Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, owner of this media house, donated cases of bottled water purchased from local company Rainforest Water thanks to the contribution of executive members as well as contributors who quickly responded to the humanitarian relief effort.
“Today, (Monday, April 12th), we have been overwhelmed by the number of donations received, which were requested via our parent agency CDEMA in Barbados, in response to a call for assistance made by Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, on behalf of his countrymen,” Samuel said in a press release then.
Another food supplies drive is currently being undertaken by The National Emergency Management Agency and the Nevis Disaster Management Department in collecting non perishable food items to assist in the relief efforts, and the cut off time for doing so is set for Monday 19th at 12 pm.
Items can be dropped off at the NEMA Headquarters located at Lime Kiln, between 8am – 4pm.
Individuals who have questions can contact the agency by calling 466-5100.
The La Soufrière Volcano, which is located in northern section of St.Vincent, exploded at about 8:40 on the morning of Friday 9th April 2021. Notably, on Tuesday 13th April, 42 years since its last eruption, another explosion was recorded.
Police: Brothers Charged With Murder Of Keon Fyfield
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 14th April 2021)- Police on St.Kitts have revealed- via a press release dated 14th April 2021 that two brothers from the Stapleton community have been charged with murder of 38-year-old Keon Fyfield of Newtown.
See full police press release below:
TWO MEN CHARGED FOR KEON FYFIELD’S DEATH
Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 14, 2021 (RSCNPF): The Police have charged two men for the death of Twenty-two-year-old Dijon Trotman and his 21-year-old brother, Divon Trotman, both of whom are from Stapleton Village, were charged for the offence of Murder. Dijon Trotman was charged on April 12, and Divon Trotman was charged on April 13. They are both in Police custody. The incident occurred on March 07, 2021. Keon Fyfield had been warded at the JNF General Hospital from that date until his death on March 25.
Cruise ships leave as most volcano evacuees prefer to remain in SVG
The majority of evacuees from the red volcano hazard zone have indicated that they would prefer to stay in St Vincent, and therefore the cruise ships that had been on standby have left our waters.
“We have to take a decision sometime this afternoon, maybe early tomorrow as to whether we just tell the cruise vessels, the cruise companies, thanks for their help…because people want to stay home,” rather than be evacuated to another jurisdiction, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves indicated yesterday morning, April 12, while speaking on the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
“People seem to want to stay home. But they had that option, but if they don’t want to take up that option fine,” he continued.
Speaking later that day on ‘Beyond the Headlines’ broadcast by the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN), the Prime Minister informed that a relatively small number of persons indicated they wanted to leave.
Some countries who agreed to accommodate evacuees had apparently noted they would want evacuees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, while one country said PCR testing, rapid testing and quarantining would suffice.
On the other hand, there is no requirement for persons in shelters to be vaccinated or even tested on entry; but it is encouraged, he said. Only mask wearing and other protocols are being insisted upon.
The Government took the decision to express gratitude to the cruise ships, he said, because the numbers are not large enough. He said smaller groups will be facilitated with chartered vessels from Bequia or Canouan.
La Soufrière erupts on its 42nd anniversary
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC) — The La Soufriere volcano erupted, on Tuesday, 42 years to the day as it commemorates her own anniversary with another explosive episode.
The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) reported that the eruption began at 6:30 a.m. (local time) “and still continues at the time of this post.
“We continue to monitor and update accordingly,” the SRC said, warning, “the volcano is at alert level Red”.
It said that seismic activity is continuing along the pattern established on Monday with short bands of continuous seismic tremor interspersed with long-period earthquakes.
“Following the latest band of tremor, at 1:30 am, the long-period earthquakes have steadily become more frequent. Audible venting was heard associated with some periods of tremor and long-period earthquake activity.
“The volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate pyroclastic density currents — hot (200°C-700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris. Explosions and accompanying ash fall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days impacting St. Vincent and neighbouring islands,” the SRC added.
The volcano hadn’t erupted since 1979 and La Soufriere has a history of deadly eruptions. Records show that in 1902, the volcano erupted for nearly eight months.
“We Stand With You and We’re Here to Help” High Command Tells RSCNPF Officers From St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 13, 2021 (RSCNPF): An emergency meeting was held at the Police Training School on Monday, April 12, 2021 at which the High Command of The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) met with Police Officers serving in the Federation who are natives of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways the High Command could assist the Officers who had family members and/or property in the red and orange zones in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and others who would be adversely affected otherwise. Commissioner of Police Hilroy Brandy outlined the options to the men and committed to helping them as much as possible.
“We want you to know that we are very concerned about you and your families and we will do everything that we can to help,” Commissioner Brandy assured the Officers.
“Your welfare is our welfare,” Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Andre Mitchell, said adding that many of them had given dedicated service to the country, some as much as thirty years.
ACP Adolph Adams asked them to hold on to faith. “We are brothers and sisters and in times of need we need to have each other’s backs,” he said.
ACP McCarta Browne told the Officers that he had respect for anyone who left their country and families behind in order to serve in law enforcement in another, noting that such a move deserved a “different kind of honour”. “Be strong and know that you have a High Command who cares and will go out of their way to help you,” he assured them.
Force Personnel Officer, Clifford Govia, informed the group that counselling services would be provided to those who needed it.
Representatives from the Police Welfare Association were also present. Its President, Sergeant Jerry Watts, assured them that the executive would be considering how the Association could help.
Inspector Reynold Myers, a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has served the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis with pride for close to thirty years. As a young boy, he had experienced the La Soufrière Volcano’s last eruption. Knowing the mental toll the current situation might be taking on his fellow Officers he offered words of motivation.
“I encourage you to keep morale high. This is not the time to drop your guard and be shaken,” Inspector Myers urged. “I must commend the High Command for this initiative. It’s good to see you are all here, but you still have to stay focused.”
Ministry of Health Addresses Passing of Philippino Nurse
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 13th April 2021)- The Ministry of Health has addressed rumours going about social media that a Philippino nurse based in St.Kitts has died from a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccination.
“Nurse Arceo’s untimely passing is poignantly regrettable and contrary to the falsehood being circulated, is entirely unrelated to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine,” part of a press release dated 13th April 2021 read.
See full release below.
April 13, 2021
It is with a deep sense of sorrow that the Ministry of Health expresses profound condolences to the children, particularly Nurse Rose-Ann Delacruz and other family members of Nurse Josephine Arceo of the Philipines, on her sudden passing.
The demise of Nurse Arceo has intensely affected the entire staff of the Ministry of Health, her nursing colleagues and the other members of the local Philippino community. Words alone cannot adequately convey the impact of the huge loss of Nurse Arceo on the health care system, particulary, in the area of maternal and child health.
Nurse Arceo worked at the maternity unit of the J N F General Hospital as a specialty nurse for four years. She will long be remembered by the nursing fraternity as a staunch advocate for childbearing women and mothers and an effusively warm and highly skilled midwife as she guided and cared for women and families through pregnancy, labour and after birth.
The Ministry of Health is indebted to Nurse Arceo for the significant role she played as a midwife and the sterling and invaluable service she provided to the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis.
Nurse Arceo’s untimely passing is poignantly regrettable and contrary to the falsehood being circulated, is entirely unrelated to the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine. The misinformation being circulated on social media relative to her demise, is therefore extremely unfortunate and sadly is completely devoid of the requisite empathy for someone who has given so much in service of our country.
Consequently, the Ministry of Health urges the public to respect the Arceo’s family and provide the necessary privacy and prayers during this extremely sad and difficult period of grief and bereavement.
With heartfelt sympathy.
NEMA Prepares to Ship Donations to SVG
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday12th April 20201)-In support of citizens and residents living in the ash-ridden islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, NDC Abdias Samuel has mobilised his staff along with NEMA stakeholders to receive, document and prepare locally collected items destined for shipment there.
“Today, (Monday, April 12th), we have been overwhelmed by the number of donations received, which were requested via our parent agency CDEMA in Barbados, in response to a call for assistance made by Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, on behalf of his countrymen,” Samuel said.
The external logistics for the Humanitarian Relief effort were coordinated by CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) in connection with Tropical Shipping.
“Our role in the effort,” says Oureika Lennon Petty, NEMA’s Planning Officer, “is to coordinate the conveyance of the donated goods from our port to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Everything that falls within those actions fall under the responsibility of our agency.”
Part of the gratis arrangement with Tropical Shipping, brokered by CDEMA, is a forty foot container which is being filled with water, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and non-perishable foods that have been collected throughout the day today.
“Because of the last minuteness of the arrangement,” according to NDC Samuel, “our turn around had to be quick and follow a strict timeline in order for the goods to be landed in SVG by Wednesday afternoon, or early evening. There may be future relief efforts planned, but for now, we had to strike while the iron is hot in order to assist with the relief of the most affected persons, in the shortest time possible.”
Mr. Samuel also expressed gratitude to the companies and individuals who went out of their way to contribute to the national humanitarian effort, led by the Government and People of St. Kitts-Nevis, with such short notice.
“I am confident,” he said, “that the container will be full to capacity and have the potential the ease the burden of at least some of our neighbours in SVG, as our entire community is continuing to respond well to our call to action.”
Jaedee Caines is the New NRP Candidate for Nevis 1
PRESS RELEASE (April 12, 2021) — The Villa Grounds in Charlestown, Nevis was filled with energy and excitement as the Communications Specialist and popular Media Personality, Ms. Jaedee Caines, was officially launched as the Nevis Reformation Party’s (NRP) new candidate for Nevis 1 (St. Paul’s) on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Ms. Jaedee Caines, NRP’s new candidate for St. Paul’s constituency Mr. E Robelto Hector, former candidate for St. Paul’s Constituency handing the baton the new candidate, Ms. Jaedee Caines NRP’s political leader Dr.Janice Daniel- Hodge, and Ms.Jaedee Caines
The candidacy of Ms. Caines, a former Youth Parliamentarian, received ringing endorsements from NRP Youth Arm President, Ms. Saneldo Willett, Dr. Kelvin Daly, Chairman of the NRP St. Paul’s Constituency Group, university colleagues Mr. St. Clair Hodge from St. Kitts and Mr. Rick Grant from the USVI as well as her former University Professor Dr. Alexander Randall.
Dr. Randall, who was the Chairman of the Communications Department at the University of the Virgin Islands during Ms. Caines’ tenure as a student, attributed the success and establishment of the University’s Radio Station to her adding that “in every area, Jaedee Caines was an exceptional and outstanding student.”
The new NRP candidate for St. Paul enthusiastically told an internet viewership of more than 9,000 and a socially distanced crowd of friends and supporters of the NRP that this is a new day, this is a new era, this is a new NRP. “Yes, we still hold on the party’s principles. Those principles have not changed but the NRP understands. We have revamped, we have rebranded, and we are ready,” Ms. Caines said, adding that “I am here for you, Nevisians. I am also here for those of you who made Nevis your home. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking that this great party, the Nevis Reformation Party, is not for non-nationals, because that is simply not true.”
“Having been rooted in community service, I don’t, now, like others have done, have to scurry to learn the people of St. Paul’s. I don’t, now, have to pretend like, I’m caring and want to do things in the community. If you know Jaedee, you know that this is something that has been going on for many many years,” Ms. Caines continued.
The highlight of the evening was the poem delivered by Ms. ChajNe Caines, daughter of the candidate. ChajNe said her mother is “helpful, you can ask my teachers and friends, when it comes to schoolwork, on her many parents depend. She is passionate, loving and supportive. She’s just who you need as your representative…”
Mr. E. Robelto Hector who served as the NRP’s Parliamentary Representative for the St. Paul’s Constituency from 2006 to 2017, fully endorsed the candidacy of Ms. Caines and handed her the baton as he assured the audience that St. Paul’s has made the right choice in choosing Ms. Caines as their new candidate. “Charlestown, oh my dear Charlestown, you have been good to me, you have been good to Victor Jay Martin, you have been good to Ivor Stevens. I am asking you now to give your full support to Jaedee Caines,” Mr. Hector said.
The much talked about launch which was chaired by Youth Parliamentarian Mr. Devonne Cornelius, also featured remarks and endorsements by the NRP’s Political Leader, Dr. Janice Daniel-Hodge and Chairman, Mr. Hensley Daniel. The NRP is gearing up for the Nevis Island Assembly elections constitutionally due in 2022. Over the coming weeks, the NRP will be rolling out its full slate of candidates.
Skerritt, Shallow return to helm of CWI unopposed
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC): Ricky Skerritt was returned unopposed as president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) along with vice-president Dr Kishore Shallow at the regional governing body’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday. They are now set to serve a second successive term at the helm.
The move was always on the cards once their challengers, Anand Sanasie of Guyana and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) vice-president Calvin Hope, dropped out of the race last week.
Both the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the BCA, which had snubbed the AGM, forcing a postponement because of the lack of a quorum, were present at Sunday’s meeting.
“I am humbled and deeply honoured to be re-elected to serve as CWI president for a second term,” Skerritt, a former tourism minister in St Kitts and Nevis, said.
“I take the responsibility to lead the board of this prestigious organisation most seriously. We have much unfinished work to do, and we renew our pledge to work untiringly to help achieve sustainable improvement, both on and off the field, for West Indies cricket.”
Shallow, the president of the Windward Islands Cricket Board, said the victory was one for the development of West Indies cricket.
“I am again grateful for the continued support of the member representatives for Ricky and myself,” he said.
“This re-election is a victory for West Indies cricket as we continue on the path of growing the game across the region and achieving good outcomes on all fronts and at all levels.”
Skerritt and Shallow had been widely expected to win re-election at the AGM on May 28, but the representatives from the GCB and the BCA did not turn up for the virtual meeting, leaving the meeting short of the required quorum of nine.
Both boards subsequently indicated their displeasure with the late distribution of the audited financial statements by CWI, arguing that the documents had not been received the required 14 days in advance.
CWI chief executive Johnny Grave subsequently rejected those assertions and pointed out that the audited financial statements had indeed been sent within the required time frame while the consolidated statements had been issued 48 hours before the meeting.
Skerritt assumed office back in 2019 when he defeated three-term incumbent Dave Cameron in a hotly contested election in Jamaica.