COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE FOR ALL CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS TO ADHERE TO, INCLUDING MINISTERS OF GOVERNMENT, SAYS PM HARRIS

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, September 29, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Timothy Harris has stated that Ministers of Government are not exempt from adhering to the established COVID-19 protocols that were implemented to minimize the spread of the deadly disease in the Federation.

From the onset, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis implemented several international best practices to combat the spread of the virus including the mandatory wearing of face masks in public spaces, the use of hand sanitizers, social and physical distancing as well as the frequent washing of hands.

“There is only one message and one rule for all of us and that is that we must all try our endeavor best to at all times comply with the COVID-19 protocols,” Prime Minister Harris said in response to a question posed during his Tuesday, September 28 press conference.

“We have no different message for the Cabinet as we would have for the children in kindergarten or what we have for those in the secondary schools or what we have for the general community,” Dr. Harris said. 

The prime minister noted that to the best of his knowledge his Cabinet of Ministers do their best to comply with the established protocols but stated that, “Wherever any of us is seen not to be faithful in observing these [protocols] it would be good that someone gives us a gentle reminder.”

Prime Minister Harris commented further that it is important that those in leadership positions lead by example, particularly in these challenging times.  

He said, “It is for this reason that when we asked the public to come forward and be vaccinated, the Ministers of Government were among the first to do so.”

To ensure compliance with the protocols, the Federal Cabinet now convenes its regular meetings at the more spacious conference room at the Ministry of Finance as opposed to the Cabinet room at Government Headquarters.