St Lucia govt outlines new COVID-19 measures

Castries – The St Lucia government has announced new measures aimed at curbing continued spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that up to Thursday had killed 267 people and infected 22 426 others since March 2020,

Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Moses Jn Baptiste warned that the Omicron variant of the virus can cause illness and hospitalization, especially if people are not vaccinated and that the new measures would take effect from Saturday until Friday, March 4.

He said that the curfew would come into effect from Mondays to Sundays, midnight to 4 a.m. daily.

A restaurant and other food establishments approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism may provide a dine-in service and can allow sale and disposal of intoxicating liquor at the restaurant and other food establishment.

Baptiste said that educational institutions can continue to operate as stated in the Education Act.

“A person shall not host or attend a mass crowd event, social event or recreational activity. A person can host a small event that consists of no more than 25 people, including persons of his or her immediate family at his or her residence or fully vaccinated persons at his or her residence.

“A faith-based organisation may hold a daily or regular religious ceremony and should comply with the square footage allowed in keeping with their COVID-19 response plan.” (CMC)