Last Updated on October 20, 2020, 7:04 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Attorney General, the Honourable Vincent Byron said that the Government of St Kitts and Nevis has deemed it essential to extend the State of Emergency as it is moving over the next few weeks for the second reading for the COVID-19 Prevention and Control Bill.
It is noteworthy that the bill had its first reading on October 15, 2020.
He said that the extension of the State of Emergency would not hinder the reopening of the borders.
The Attorney General said this while he was time speaking at a Sitting of Parliament on October 15. The AG said that the Government found it necessary to keep the State of Emergency in place during the said period.
He said that the Government finds it necessary for the current Statutory Rules and Orders that are in place covering the COVID-19 regulations under the Emergency Powers Act to be extended during that period.
The Attorney General said that the Government understands that there is a concern in the country that while the borders are reopened for allowing economic activity and jumpstart the tourism industry slowly.
The extension of the State of Emergency would be for the next two months or more, for the National Assembly to make COVID-19 Prevention and Control Bill, 2020, law and implemented.
The Attorney General said that they are mindful of the need to be careful while extending the State of Emergency.
Attorney General Byron said that the State of Emergency provides the compliance team and the medical team the tools by which they ensure that the people of the Federation are protected.
He said that as they open the borders after a few weeks, the State of Emergency would not interfere with that.
The AG said it would allow the medical team, the security forces, the task force to be in a position to administer response to COVID-19.
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.
