By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 1, 2020 (ZIZ News): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris says the federation will see a decline in COVID-19 cases if citizens and residents adhere to the newly revised State of Emergency.
The Prime Minister made the announcement during his address to the nation on Monday as he declared a 24hr lockdown from Tuesday, March 31 to Friday, April 3.
Under the revised State of Emergency [The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations, No. 9 of 2020] “no one, except the Security Forces and other Security Personnel, the Health Care Officers, Technical Emergency Officers of Utilities including Telecoms, and Media Personnel, will be allowed out of their residences,”
He said, “The number of cases will increase, peak, plateau and then decline. The time taken to flatten the curve depends on how quickly our citizens and residents take all precautions and eliminate chances of further transmission, via social distancing and strict compliance with the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, and exercise common sense.”
Prime Minister Harris explained how important social distancing and the government implemented Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations are to slow the spread of the virus.
“These powers are aimed at restricting the spread of the virus from one person to the next. They are intended to protect you and keep your loved ones safe. Please abide by the regulations”, he added.
“We are working hard to identify, isolate and provide early care for patients. By minimizing contact, we will keep the numbers down and manageable”, the Prime Minister expressed.
As of March 30, there were 8 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Federation; 7 in St. Kitts and 1 on Nevis.