“Lockdown Sundays” Extended till November

By way of Extraordinary issue of the Government Gazette Vol. 190, Issue 58 of Thursday 14th October, 2021 the Government of St. Lucia announced the revocation the State of Emergency effective Saturday 16th October 2021. The SLP administration, whilst in opposition, vehemently opposed the state of emergency and vowed to revoke once assuming office. The State of Emergency was in effect from February 3rd, 2021.

Under the COVID-19 Control and Prevention Act No. 9 of 2020, and by way of Statutory Instruments, the Ministry of Health announced effective Saturday October 16th the below until November 1st 2021.

Restriction on social activities 

(1) A person shall not host or attend — 

(a) a mass crowd event; 

(b) a competitive or high-contact sporting activity, including in-door and out-door training and local competitions; 

(c) a social event, except with no more than ten persons of his or her immediate family or household. 

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent — 

(a) a person from training and exercising, whether indoor or outdoor, through gym workouts, if the physical distancing protocols specified under the COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) (Physical Distancing) Order are complied with in the square footage of the gym; 600 

(b) an athlete from participating in one-on-one coaching or training for contact sports, selective competitions and associated community engagements with permission from the Ministry responsible for sports; 

(c) a low or medium-contact sporting activity, excluding, spectators and crowds; 

(d) with the permission of the Ministry responsible for health, a competitive sporting activity within a controlled sporting facility with spectators who are fully vaccinated; 

(e) inter-island ferry services from Saint Lucia to Martinique and from Martinique to Saint Lucia; 

(f) recreational or social activities at a certified accommodation provider during the hours as specified under the COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) (Physical Distancing) Order except that water sports and other water related activities, such as boat rides and water skiing are suspended on Sunday the 17th day of October, 2021, the 24th day of October, 2021 and the 31st day of October, 2021.

(3) A faith-based organization — 

(a) may hold a daily or regular religious ceremony if the physical distancing protocols specified under the COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) (Physical Distancing) Order is complied with within the square footage of the faith-based organization in keeping with a COVID-19 Response Plan approved by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment; 

(b) shall not hold special religious rites including baptisms, weddings and funerals by physical attendance, unless there are no more than fifty persons in attendance.

COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) 

(Physical Distancing) (No. 15) Order

Operation of business, establishment or office 

6.—(1) A business, establishment or office specified in Schedule 1 — 

(a) may open at minimal operation using a blended approach; 

(b) shall cease operation — 

(i) from Saturday the 16th day of October, 2021 at 6 p.m. to Monday the 18th day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m.

(ii) from Monday the 18th day of October, 2021 to Friday the 22nd day of October, 2021 at 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. on each day, 

(iii) from Saturday the 23rd day of October, 2021 at 6 p.m. to Monday the 25th day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m., 

(iv) from Monday the 25th day of October, 2021 to Friday the 29th day of October, 2021 at 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. on each day, 

(v) from Saturday the 30th day of October, 2021 at 6 p.m. to Monday the 1st day of November, 2021 at 4 a.m. 

Suspension of sale and disposal of intoxicating liquor 

7.—(1) A liquor licence for the sale and disposal of intoxicating liquor granted under the Liquor Licence Act, Cap. 13.17 to a bar or rum shop is suspended.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to — 

(a) the sale and manufacture of hand sanitizers; 

(b) the manufacture of intoxicating liquor for sale outside of Saint Lucia; 

(c) the sale and disposal of intoxicating liquor by a supermarket, gas station or wholesaler granted a liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act, Cap. 13.17 if the supermarket, gas station or wholesaler does not permit a person to consume the intoxicating liquor on the licensed premises.

(3) A supermarket, gas station or wholesaler with a valid liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act, Cap. 13.17 that offers for sale or disposes of intoxicating liquor under subsection (2)(c), shall — 

(a) operate within the time specified under section 6(1); 

(b) not operate on Sunday the 17th day of October, 2021, the 24th day of October, 2021 and the 31st day of October, 2021.

(4) In this section, “licensed premises” means a building or place for which a liquor licence has been granted under the Liquor Licence Act, Cap. 13.17.

COVID-19 (Prevention and Control) 

(Physical Distancing) (No. 15) Order

Confinement to residence 

8.—(1) In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a person shall remain confined to their place of residence to avoid contact outside of their family — 

(a) from Saturday the 16th day of October, 2021 at 7 p.m. to Monday the 18th day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m.; 

(b) from Monday the 18th day of October, 2021 to Friday the 22nd day of October, 2021 at 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. on each day; 607 

(c) from Saturday the 23rd day of October, 2021 at 7 p.m. to Monday the 25th day of October, 2021 at 4 a.m.; 

(d) from Monday the 25th day of October, 2021 to Friday the 29th day of October, 2021 at 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. on each day; 

(e) from Saturday the 30th day of October, 2021 at 7 p.m. to Monday the 1st day of November, 2021 at 4 a.m. 

(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent — 

(a) travel to the hospital, work by essential service workers or a place by a person authorized by the National Emergency Management Organization; 

(b) a person from attending a religious ceremony on Sundays except that he or she must return to his or her residence by 1 p.m. on that day; or 

(c) outdoor exercise, whether alone or together with family members living under the same roof. 

(3) In this section, “residence” includes the enclosed yard space of the person’s home.

Expiry 

9. This Order expires on the 1st day of November, 2021.