On Wednesday 29th September Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste announced changes to COVID-19 Protocols which include among other things that vaccinated persons will be allowed to dine-in at restaurants once they have been vaccinated for more than two weeks. The Minister also acknowledged suspicion of the spread of the Delta Variant of the virus as a further 9 cases were announced earlier this week. He again encouraged persons to get vaccinated and follow protocols. His full statement is below:
The new changes to Protocols are as Follows:
Operation Of Businesses
1. Businesses shall cease operations on Friday 1st day of October, 2021 at 7pm to Saturday the 2nd day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m.-
2. On Saturday the 2nd day of October, 2021 businesses will close from 7pm to Tuesday the 5th day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m. The curfew or no movement days will extend from Saturday 2nd October from 7pm, all day Sunday, all day Monday up to Tuesday 5th October at 4.am
3. From Tuesday 5th October to Friday 8th October 2021, businesses will close from 6pm to 4 a.m each day.
4. From Saturday the 9th of October,2021, businesses will close from 3pm to Monday the 11th day of October 2021.
5. Businesses will close from 6pm to 4am each day from Monday the 11th of October to Friday the 15th of October, 2021.
Changes in relation to restaurants and food establishments
1. A restaurant and other food establishments approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism may provide a dine-in service to persons who are fully vaccinated.
Please note that fully vaccinated means that two weeks have passed since a person received
a. A single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson and Johnson
b. the second dose in a two-dose series of Astrazeneca, Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna or
c. Another Covid-19 vaccine approved by the Minister on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer
The sale and disposal of intoxicating liquor is suspended except for
a. the sale and manufacture of hand sanitizers
b. the manufacture for sale outside of Saint Lucia
c. the sale and disposal by a supermarket, gas station or wholesaler , if the supermarket, gas station or wholesaler does not permit a person to consume the intoxicating liquor on the licensed premises.
Recreational Activities
Recreational activities such as boat rides, and water skiing at a certified accommodation provider are suspended during the curfew hours are suspended on Sunday the 3rd day of October, 2021, Monday the 4th day of October 2021 and Sunday the 10th day of October 2021.
Faith based organizations
i. May continue to hold daily or regular religious ceremonies if the physical distancing protocols are adhered to.
ii. Special religious rites including baptisms, weddings and funerals are to be held using physical distancing rules with no more than fifty persons in attendance.
