Pierre: A Complete Lockdown Unlikely

In an address broadcast via the Government’s National Television Network, NTN, on Thursday 29th September, Prime Minister Philip J Pierre addressed the country on his administration’s efforts thus far to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Since assuming office following the General Election of July 25th, 2021 the country has seen the outburst of a 4th wave of COVID-19 and the introduction of the more deadly and more infectious strain of the Delta variant of the virus.

Pierre began his address by expressing concern for the high levels of infections which have been brought about by the 4th wave of the virus. He extended condolences to bereaved families who had lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic, the highest number recorded since his administration took office and since the start of the pandemic. Pierre went on to note that the Government of St. Lucia had borrowed, since the start of the pandemic in May 2020 a total of 323.8 Million Dollars, of which 301.5 Million Dollars was spent by the previous administration. A detail of this expenditure was as follows:

• Health Related Issues – $30.4 M
• Quarantine Facilities – $11.4 M
• Social Responses/Income Support – $17.4 M
• CDB Debt Repayment – $23.9 M
• Budget Support – Capital and Project Expenses – $45.6 M
• Budget Support, Debt Payment and Salary Expenses – $167.8 M

Pierre went on to say that only $20 M of those funds was available to his administration “for the use of the people of St. Lucia” but did not detail where this had been allocated or spent. Pierre chastised the previous government for their demolition of Custody Suites and noted his government would outfit one of the remaining buildings for this purpose. His government’s other accomplishments since assuming offfice included:

• Protected the health of Police by adding a ticketing option to existing COVID-19 regulations.
• Increased medical and ancillary staff at the Victoria Respiratory Hospital
• With the assistance of FLOW Installed improved communication system at hospital
• Increased COVID-19 testing from average daily rate of 187 to 397 tests per day.

Pierre layed to rest fears that a country shutdown was not eminent saying that the country can ill-afford such a measure and that it was only a temporary measure not worth the damage it caused. He pleaded with persons to get vaccinated saying it was the best way to avert the effects of the virus. “It is your personal and civic duty to get vaccinated”, he said.

Existing concessions for the purchase of vehicles of frontline workers, Pierre said, would be extended a year and income support would be provided to Bar Owners and Mini-bus drivers. Following his address, Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste also addressed the nation on changes to existing protocols effective Oct 1.

Pierre’s full address can be seen in the video below.