By: Staff Writer
November 12, 2021
Former Prime Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet, still out doing work on behalf of the St Lucian people while at the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) at the Baha Mar resort, Nassau, Bahamas.
Mr Chastanet, told Caribbean Magazine Plus: “St Lucia, like the rest of the Caribbean, is taking advantage of the opportunities that exist. COVID-19 has created a new opportunity for the Caribbean. We’ve left the country in good stead. We had more US arrivals in July of this year than we’ve had in any other July. So we’re on track.”
Mr Chastanet’s United Workers Party lost the General Election on July 26 of this year. He lost to Philip Pierre’s St Lucia Labour Party 13 seats to 2, in another election landslide in the Caribbean. This one blamed on COVID-19 management as the election took place at the height of the pandemic.
In September, St Lucia had 345 COVID-19 cases compared to the nine cases they had on July 26, the numbers are not declining slowly, but still not at their summer lows of single digits.
Mr Chastanet said about the COVID-19 spike in cases, “Well, look, the numbers speak for themselves. You know, sadly, the numbers exponentially went up during the last 100 days and it’s because of protocols.
“The fact is COVID doesn’t know politics. It doesn’t discriminate against anyone. Things like curfews are universally being used and how you manage your protocols are very, very important.”
Authorities in Saint Lucia have modified and extended the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in the country through October 30. As part of the restrictions, a 10pm to 4am nightly curfew will be in place Monday-Friday. Each weekend until November 15 a special weekend lockdown will be in effect from 10pm on Saturday to 4am on Monday. After Nov. 15, the weekend lockdowns will occur from 1pm Sunday to 4am on Monday. All individuals must remain in their homes or lodging during curfew hours, except to attend to critical matters or engage in essential work duties. Social gatherings are limited to 50 or fewer fully vaccinated persons.
Officials permit only fully vaccinated persons to be served in restaurants only; persons who are not vaccinated may only avail themselves of takeaway or delivery services.
International TravelIndividuals aged 18 and older must also complete a Travel Registration document seven days or more before arrival. All travellers aged five and above must produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than five days before arrival. Additionally, travellers to Saint Lucia must present a printed Health Screening Questionnaire upon arrival; individuals must complete and print the form before departing for Saint Lucia.
Arriving travellers are subject to medical screening. Passengers in transit with a same-day onward journey do not require travel authorization.