National COVID-19 Task Force Establishes Special Categories Of Persons Eligible For Quarantine Waiver
Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 13, 2021 (SKNIS): Abdias Samuel, Chair of the National COVID-19 Task Force, said that special categories were established for persons who are eligible for quarantine waiver. This is an initiative of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as it seeks to reunite families and bring relief to persons hard hit by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“We have been saying that these criteria apply to students who are studying abroad and are living in St. Kitts and Nevis, persons who would have travelled overseas for critical care and also for the elderly over the age of 62 who are living in St. Kitts and Nevis and would have gone overseas for some sort of critical care as well,” said Mr. Samuel at the NEOC COVID-19 Press Briefing for August 11.
Chairman Samuel said that the waiver is not automatic and will be granted once applicants fit the criteria.
“This particular service that is being provided by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has criteria to it and it is done on a case by case basis. So, it is not an automatic service that you just receive because you are a student,” he said. “You have to show proof of some form of [identification] (ID) and you also have to submit your proof that you are a student – an acceptance letter or ID from the school. That in itself would suffice for the application.”
Mr. Samuel said that successful applicants will receive a letter from the relevant authorities indicating their waiver approval.
All travelers are required to submit a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEO 17025 standard, taken 72 hours prior to travel. Acceptable COVID-19 PCR tests must be taken by nasopharyngeal sample. Therefore, self-samples, rapid tests, or home tests will be considered invalid.
Travelers must also complete the KNA Travel Form for entry into the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The form can be found via covid19.gov.kn, or knatravelform.kn. An embarkation form is required regardless of age. Forms must be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to travel.