By: Chaïra Flanders
The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis woke up to face a new reality on Wednesday.
The normally bustling streets of Basseterre have been looking quite deserted as new restrictions have gone into effect to place the twin island federation on total lockdown as part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
More than 50 thousand residents and citizens will not be permitted to leave their homes for another 48 hours since the implementation of a 24 hour curfew effective Tuesday, March 31.
Busy intersections like the common meeting point between Fort Street and Cayon Street, as well as bus terminals, are now completely empty as the city has been brought to a standstill.
Not only are the streets empty but supermarkets, gas stations, and banks are closed.
Beaches and the usually busy bars on the popular Frigate Bay Strip have been deserted.
In order to ensure that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis adhere to the new measures of The Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations, No. 9 of 2020, the police have been doing their part by monitoring the streets and patrolling the various communities.
Although the city looked like a ghost town, there were some curfew offenders who refused to keep their establishment closed despite repeated warnings. Grocery store owners were seen being taken away by officers for disobeying the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No.2) Regulations, No. 9 of 2020.
The regulations do not permit anyone besides security personnel, technical emergency officers, members of the media and healthcare workers to leave their homes.
Following the implementation of these new regulations, the federation will remain on lockdown until Friday, April 3.