By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 10th September 2021) — Night curfew-related rush accidents, including a fatal one, have resulted in local authorities requiring businesses to close by a mandatory time as part of new COVID-19 regulations. COVID-19 National Task Force Superintendent Cromwell Henry addressed the topic at the NEOC briefing on Wednesday 8th September 2021: “Since night curfews started in the Federation, we have seen an increase in traffic accidents at nights. Most of these accidents occur close to the curfew times. Significant injuries and damages were caused in these accidents and in one instance death. This increase in accidents suggests that persons are hurrying to get home ahead of the curfew without any regard for the safety on the road.”
The new Emergency Powers (COVID-19 No.8) Regulations, 2021 (SR&O No.36 of 2021) took effect from 5:01AM on Monday 6th September and will expire at 5:00AM on Wednesday 22nd September. A curfew is imposed every day from 1:01 AM until 5:00 AM. Critically, the new regulations prescribe a specific business closing time: Regulation 3:6(b) states all businesses and enterprises shall ensure their closing hour is by midnight — at least one hour before the start of the curfew at 1:01 AM. “Of course, given the size and nature of the establishment, you may need to close even more than an hour ahead of the start of the curfew. The objective is to ensure that your patrons and staff can safely get home before the curfew time, bearing in mind that some of those persons may have to rely on public transportation,” Henry stated. He reminded the public: “The curfew and all measures in these regulations are intended to control and prevent the spread of the virus. We ask therefore that you see them as such and do your part to keep us all safe.”