151 more Saint Lucian nationals headed home

The Government of Saint Lucia will this weekend welcome 151 more nationals through the ongoing repatriation process. Returning nationals will include cruise ship workers and students from Canada and Barbados.

On May 24th, nineteen (19) nationals will arrive in Saint Lucia via a chartered service from Barbados, which includes seventeen (17) nationals being repatriated from Canada. Subsequently, fifty-nine (59) persons will arrive aboard Disney Fantasy at Port Castries, and seventy-three (73) nationals will arrive on May 25th though Port Castries via the Royal Vision of the Seas. The Department of Health and Wellness has granted permission for the arrival and disembarkation processes, following which all carriers will depart Saint Lucia. 

The following Health and Safety protocols will be observed:
-All frontline personnel at ports of entry will facilitate arrivals wearing the necessary PPEs.
– It is mandatory that all returning nationals arrive wearing face masks.
– Port Health Authority will spearhead the disembarkation process.
– Returning nationals will be immediately transported to a government operated quarantine facility where they will be housed for a period of 14 days.
– Each national will be screened upon arrival and daily while accommodated at a government operated quarantine facility.
– Nationals will be tested for COVID-19 during the quarantine period, should they present as symptomatic.

Speaking on the ongoing repatriation process, the Minister responsible for External Affairs, the Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun noted that the coordination of these efforts have been a success only because of the full engagement of the team managing the repatriation process. “I wish to express our gratitude to Canada and High Commissioner Marie Legault, for affording Saint Lucia the opportunity to have our nationals join Barbadians on the flight to that country”, commented the Minister. The WestJet flight was being dispatched to Barbados to repatriate Canadians still in the region.

The Minister also thanks the Government of Barbados for facilitating the transfer of our nationals, including those at the University of the West Indies who will join the charter, through their borders. She also thanked her team within the Department and the overseas offices involved in coordinating the process.

The Department and the Government continue to look at ways to facilitate the repatriation of other nationals who wish to return home. Nationals who are desirous of returning home are reminded to contact the nearest Saint Lucian Embassy and Consulate, along with the office for Diaspora Affairs.