BREAKING: Fishing licenses to be suspended; Government of St. Lucia to introduce ‘rewards’ for whistleblowers

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet says that in addition to the new measures to fight community spread of COVID-19, protocols will also be introduced to beef up border control. Over the past few weeks, 7 individuals were arrested by the police on suspicion of entering the island illegally. One man has since been charged.

During his closing remarks at a press briefing on Friday, Chastanet said: “There is going to be some new protocols coming in place with regards to the border control, which will include the fishermen. An announcement will be made this week— and I know we’re going to be meeting with the different associations— but the likelihood is by Monday, that we will be suspending licenses for fishermen to go out, for at least one week. Again, that is to regain control of our borders and we will be looking at other measures to significantly strengthen our borders.

“We are bringing in new engines, we’re putting in new surveillance teams but we are going to take the breaches at the border very seriously and we will include putting some rewards in place for whistleblowers who help us in terms of deterring people from bringing people in illegally,” he said.

As of October 30, neighboring Martinique has recorded 3552 COVID-19 cases. From October 18 to 24, 737 cases were recorded. Chastanet indicated that the government is working with the Mission in Martinique to encourage Saint Lucian nationals who want to come home, to do so legally, “so that we can keep them safe, we can keep their family members safe and keep our communities safe as well.”