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Page:1 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 9th, 2021 NEWS Page:2 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 9th, 2021 LOCALNEWNEWS NEWSS Nevis lockdown out of caution, says Brantley By Staff Reporter restrictions cause to citi- of the programme to do zens and residents, and to so when the programme Premier Mark Brantley the business community. resumed on Thursday, says the full lockdown on July 8. Nevis was implemented “As Premier of Nevis, I as the Government aims sincerely regret such hard- “We shall never ever sur- to curb a significant ship. However, the recent render to this enemy of spread of the virus on the positive COVID cases on COVID-19. I urge once Premier Mark Brantley island Nevis and the ongoing again, all the people of contact tracing has caused Nevis to go out and get Nevis was on July 3 great concern among our vaccinated. Please help placed under a 24-hour healthcare profession- us avoid these lockdowns, lockdown with a ‘Shelter als. The decision was not quarantines, curfews and in Place’ Order until July taken lightly, but we are other restrictions. Please 12, in the first instance. primarily concerned with help us restart our econo- “We thought it was the prudent thing to do to seek to contain any spread of this virus” Premier Brantley, who the preservation of life my. Please help us restore is the Senior Minister of and the protection of our normalcy to our island Health in the Nevis Island people. and our Federation.” Administration (NIA) said the lockdown now “As the contact tracing As at June 30, 5225 per- in effect on Nevis was continues, I am prayer- sons on Nevis had taken necessary to prevent a ful that there will be no a first dose of the Oxford- COVID-19 outbreak on more positive cases, but AstraZeneca COVID-19 the island. we simply cannot be sure. vaccine, and 4418 or 51 The next several days, percent of the target popu- “We thought it was the therefore, will allow our lation of 8594 had taken prudent thing to do to Health team to undertake their second dose. seek to contain any spread the contact tracing more of this virus, bearing in efficiently, and permit us The Ministry of Health mind the limited capacity to reset and recharge our- in the NIA has confirmed of our health care system selves for the continuing three positive cases of on Nevis. We prefer to battle ahead.” COVID-19 on the is- err on the side of caution, land of Nevis since June given the nature of the He admonished the peo- 29. According to the most recent cases and the ple of Nevis to understand Ministry, the most recent ongoing contact tracing that it cannot be business case, which is imported, efforts.” as usual during this un- is fully vaccinated and precedented time. He en- has been in quarantine on Brantley said he is cogni- couraged all who had not the island since arrival on zant of the hardship and taken the COVID-19 vac- June 27, 2021. inconvenience that these cine during the first phase LOCALNEW NEWSS The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 9th, 2021 Page:3 PM unveils 10-point relief package By Loshaun Dixon The PM added that they who will benefit from in- will waive commercial creased arrivals”. Prime Minister of St. Kitts rent for 6 months (July and Nevis and Minister to December 2021) for The Prime Minister said of Finance, Dr. Timothy small businesses which they will increase sup- Harris, has unveiled a lease space from the port to battered women 10-point relief package Government through the through the Ministry of and extended stimulus re- Ministry of Tourism and Social Development. lief initiative to December Transport. 31. “In times of difficul- “These would include ties, women tend to suf- Speaking at his monthly small businesses that fer more abuse. My press conference, Dr. rent booths at the Ferry Government will endeav- Harris announced that on and Bus Terminals, the our to stamp out such Wednesday, the Cabinet Amina Craft Market and abuses in society, and gave approval for the the Pelican Mall. We will provide resources to stimulus initiatives to be encourage private sector give the victims a sense extended until December landlords of commer- of empowerment and 31, 2021, and added that cial space to give some independence.” there would be more ini- measure of relief to their tiatives to help the less tenants. We are all in this Dr Harris announced that fortunate to better cope together. COVID-19 has his government will assist with the financial hardship been a great challenge. I households with children caused by COVID-19 ask landlords to take a who are differently-abled, and to further stimulate part with their tenants and with a stipend to help the economy. reduce their rent/lease them over the next 6 payments. I cannot dic- months. Within the 10-point initia- tate how much support, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris tive, Dr Harris revealed but I ask at this time of The final measure an- an Income Support global crisis that you let nounced was that Programme in the amount your conscience be your SKELEC has agreed to of $15 million “to al- guide.” provide a deferral on resi- leviate hardships on our dential electricity bills for citizens who remain un- Dr. Harris said they will the next 3 months. employed since March also reduce the VAT rate 2020 and are registered for 3 months (July to The Prime Minister also with the Social Security September 2021) from noted that he made a re- Board”. 10% to 5% on commer- quest to the ECCB for cial rent for small busi- consideration of a further “A monthly stipend of nesses with 25 or fewer extension of the moratoria $1,000 will be paid for employees and a valid on mortgage payments to the next three months. business license. commercial banks. However, persons who received $15,000 or more Among other measures “We are hopefully opti- in severance payment af- include the reinstatement mistic that the Monetary ter March 2020 would not of the annual Import Duty Council will find favour. be eligible to access the exemption for 16 tyres Yes, my Government Programme.” (4 tyres per quarter), 4 continues to look out for pairs of brake pads and our people. We pledge to He said persons receiving 3 pairs of brake shoes put people first.” assistance under the PAP for ‘H’ passenger buses. would only be entitled Providing a fuel subsidy He expressed hope that to receive an additional of $400 per month to pas- the initiative would help $500 under the Income senger bus operators for 3 all overcome the impacts Support Programme, and months, and the waiving of this pandemic. persons already in receipt of stall fees for vendors of a Government stipend using the public market “I have outlined initiatives of $1,000 would not en- until December 31st. that we have designed to joy a further benefit of stimulate economic activ- $1,000. ity, and provide economic relief to our citizens and “We are attempting to He said the government residents. I believe that reach the hardest hit, will reduce travel tax these initiatives are com- and the largest number for the next 6 months in prehensive, targeted and of persons who require an effort to boost visitor far-reaching. support. Our priority arrival, “creating more must be to support those income-earning opportu- The pandemic is not yet most in need and to sup- nities for our taxi opera- over, and we do not know port as many persons as tors and other providers how soon it will end.” possible.” of hospitality services Page:4 The St.Kitts Nevis Observer - Friday July 9th, 2021 EDITORIALNEWNEWSS EDITORIAL Acting responsibly will see us through With 60 percent of the St. Kitts-Nevis population receiving at least ensure that our people are not at risk. Do your part, get vaccinated, one dose of the vaccine against the coronavirus, we have improved our practice healthy measures and let the country get back to as close to numbers but are still not in a good place yet. People are still very careless normalcy as possible. and are not following the established health protocols, thus endangering themselves and their families Medical Chief of Staff, Dr Cameron Wilkinson, disclosed that Wednesday was the last day one could go and be guaranteed a first and second shot to be fully vaccinated from this current batch, before another arrives. “Even after, you can continue to come in and get your first shot, as this gives you a 76 percent protection before you get your second dose.” After Wednesday, there will not be enough days for the minimum interval for the second shot before the vaccines expire at the end of the month. Dr Wilkinson announced that so far, more than 60 percent of adults have decided to take the vaccine, and took action now not just to protect themselves, but family members who are children, pregnant mothers, unborn and the elderly and frail. "Some held back because of genuine concerns, and these were changed with our far-reaching education program on the vaccine." Case Number :NEVHPB2021/0031 He said the decision to not vaccinate put individuals at risk, reiterating that getting vaccinated is the best defence against this virus. Submitted Date:01/07/2021 06:33 The country could safely open up once enough persons have been Filed Date:01/07/2021 08:30 vaccinated and proper controls are maintained at our borders.