Last Updated on October 2, 2020, 4:34 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Hon Timothy Harris, announced in a press conference that the border of the twin-island Federation would be open to the rest of the world on October 31 2020.
The Prime Minister said that reopening of the border does not mean that St Kitts and Nevis is letting its guard down in the fight against the COVID-19, lives shall be saved at all costs.
Dr Harris said that his Government had promised to reopen the borders of the country in October and it did so based on the assumption that all the related sectors, mainly the tourism and hotel sector would prepare themselves for the reopening.
He said that 3458 workers in the hotel sector and transportation and hospitality sub-sector received training for living and working safely in the COVID-19 environment as per the new norms.
Dr Harris informed that work had started at the main airport in the country, the RLB airport on September 26, and would be completed by October 26.
The first phase of the work at the airport would include the welcome centre under-ramp in front of the arrivals area, conversion of the VIP lounge into a medical screening area and construction of sneeze guards at the counters.
He said that closing the borders and proper implementation of health protocols across the country, helped in limiting the spread of the coronavirus in St Kitts and Nevis.
The Prime Minister said that due to border closure and implementation of the health protocols, only 19 persons had tested positive for COVID-19 in the Federation and 17 out of them have recovered.
Dr Harris said that the CDC has placed St Kitts and Nevis among the low-risk travel destinations.
The Prime Minister added that St Kitts and Nevis reopened all the sectors of the economy gradually and 84 per cent of the employees who are willing to work are back at their work.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
