Government of St. Lucia Announces Stricter Protocols to Address COVID-19 Community Spread

Given the current status of active COVID-19 cases and projections, the Government of Saint Lucia is implementing protocols in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 to be effective today, Friday October 30th 2020 and to remain in effect for the next 30 DAYS.

On the recommendations by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the Command Centre and following a consultative session with the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) and various stakeholders, the Cabinet of Ministers, has implemented the following:

– WORK FROM HOME WHERE POSSIBLE
All agencies and businesses should implement a Blended Service/ Operations Approach where possible for the employees.  The approach should allow for the functioning of all services and operations utilizing online platforms and standard health protocol where feasible. This will reduce the physical numbers in the workplace and curb possible transmission.

– REDUCED MASS CROWD EVENTS
Mass Crowd Events are reduced from 50 to 25 People per Venue per Activity.

– RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS
Religious Institutions are to be guided by the square footage of their respective spaces. Each religious institution must be aware of how many people can access the building but the maximum number of people – 100 for those institutions that are very large.

– BUSINESS OPERATING HOURS
Cease of all business operations and commercial activities by 9:00PM. This will assert a “Minimal Operations” approach. Exemptions will be listed. This will discourage the physical spread of people during typical hours of high-risk business activity island wide.

– EXTENDED CLOSURE OF SCHOOL COMPOUNDS
Public and Private Educational Institutions should extend the closure of compounds and ensure continued learning via alternate and telecommunication mediums. This aligns with those aimed at reduced physical activity and mass gatherings.

– NO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ON PREMISES
Sale of Alcohol permissible – GRAB & GO BUSINESS AT BARS ONLY. All BARS and RESTURANTS to close by 9:00 pm. This will assist in limiting high-risk social gatherings and curb the possibility of community spread.

– SPORTING ACTIVITY CHANGE – NO CONTACT SPORTS
The hosting of any contact-sports, high-risk sporting activities and events will be discouraged. NON-contact sports will be listed. This will assist in limiting high-risk social gatherings and curb the possibility of community spread.

– LIMIT MOVEMENT – ADVISORY
Voluntarily limiting movement between 9:00pm and 5:00am. The Government encourages staying at home between the hours of 9:00PM to 5:00AM in order to discourage the physical spread of people during typical hours of high-risk social activity island wide.

The Government is calling on all Saint Lucians to join the effort in observing the protocols and keeping Saint Lucia safe.