Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 22, 2020 (ZIZ News): At Wednesday’s NEOC Daily COVID-19 Briefing, Commander of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, Left Tenant Col. Joseph Comerie provided an update of the role that the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force’s plays during the fight against COVID-19.
He explained that the defence force consists of the Coast Guard, Infantry, Reserve and the youth branch which is the Cadet Corps and their duties include the protection of the Federation against external aggression and maintaining law and order.
As it relates to the fight against the virus Col. Comerie said that the Defence Force has formulated teams for different tasks to help contain the spread virus.
“The St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force has been involved in the fight against COVID-19 since its inception as a member of the COVID-19 Task Force and continue on all other teams that have been built out as we engage this pandemic such as the quarantine monitoring team and the compliance team. We also provide security for COVID-19 patients, the infantry stands alongside our sister the police on the frontline in creating vehicle check points, patrolling day and night in our communities as well as providing security and social distancing measures at the supermarket and other places of business on partial lock down days.”
He added that the Coast Guard has been deployed to assist other government agencies and essential workers by providing transportation among other duties.
“The Coast Guard has also been engaged in the fight by assisting all other government agencies and essential workers which includes transportation of officials to and from Nevis, as well as transportation of COVID-19 samples to meet the RSS aircraft. The unit has also been activated at sea through increased maritime patrols, to protect against the illegal entrance of vessels and contraband in our territorial waters. We have also been intercepting vessels requesting to enter the Federation via our territorial seas and legal port.”
Col. Comerie used the opportunity to give special recognition to a number of individuals who have assisted the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force in fulfilling their duties.
“Special mention must be made to a number of individuals, Mr. Mark Williams of the Maritime Resource Department for making available his department vessel to assist in the fight against this dreaded virus, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in Nevis for her cooperation and Captain Napier and crew of the Free Winds for their generous donation of a quantity of masks and gloves to the Coast Guard.”
He concluded by urging persons to adhere to the advice of health professionals and security forces.