Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 31, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Health is offering increased testing opportunities for persons experiencing COVID-like symptoms following through on plans announced in late December.At an emergency briefing by the National Emergency Operations Centre on Thursday, December 30, 2021, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hazel Laws, said that car park COVID-19 testing will now be offered for free for one hour at three main sites around St. Kitts.The car park testing will be introduced for one hour on a weekly basis in the first instance. The scheduled days are Tuesdays at the Basseterre Health Centre, Wednesdays at…

A Happy New Year to all, as we usher in 2022 with hope and optimism. The past two years have seen all plans affected by the COVID-19 virus which has caused profound social and economic turmoil. The prospects for our recovery hinge on the urgent acceleration of vaccinations, which remains alarmingly low in our Community. Further delay in equitable access to vaccines will stress our health systems and personnel, and delay our economic recovery. Throughout the pandemic regional cooperation, collaboration and solidarity have been at the centre of our national responses – a clear affirmation of the necessity and dividends of…

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has congratulated the Government and People of Haiti on the country’s Two Hundred and Eighteenth Anniversary of Independence which it celebrates on 1 January 2022. “As the Government and People of Haiti enter a new year of independence, CARICOM extends its best wishes for goodwill and unity to prevail in the current multifaceted challenges,” CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett said in her congratulatory message to the Prime Minister of Haiti HE Dr Ariel Henry. “The Community sends a message of hope to all Haitians as they commemorate this auspicious event that has served as an inspirational…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 30, 2021 (SKNIS): Health authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis are implementing best practices from the tremendous success of managing previous waves of the COVID-19 virus and will follow updated guidelines in dealing with the fourth wave.Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws, shared the news of the start of the fourth wave on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at an emergency COVID-19 briefing of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). She also shared that the Omicron variant is present in the Federation.However, there is no evidence at this time to indicate that the rise in cases…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 30, 2021 (SKNIS): As the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis begins the fight against the fourth wave of the deadly COVID-19 virus, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Hazel Laws indicated during the December 30, 2021 NEOC press briefing that the Omicron COVID-19 variant is present within the Federation.“The Omicron variant has been labelled a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO)…On December 22, 2021, the Federation sent off a small package of three (3) samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for genomic sequencing, two of the three samples returned positive…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 30, 2021 (RSCNPF): Officers stationed in Sandy Point are now operating out of their new location in the National Security and Judicial Complex. Divisional Commander for District “B”, Superintendent Lyndon David, noted that much of what was needed to do business was in place by the evening of December 23, and their services went into full swing on Christmas Eve. Since that day, the Police have been serving the Sandy Point and surrounding communities from the Complex. “On December 24th, Christmas Eve, operations at the Sandy Point Police Station commenced in the new building based at the…

Dear Stakeholders, The Silver Spirit will NOT make its scheduled call at Port Zante on Thursday 30th December, 2021. Please note the following revised cruise schedule for the rest of the week: Thursday 30th December, 2021: Azura – Port ZanteCaribbean Princess – Port ZanteRoyal Clipper – Basseterre Harbour Friday 31st December, 2021: Celebrity Equinox – Port ZanteNorwegian Epic – Port ZanteSeven Seas Explorer – Port Zante #

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 28, 2021 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) is actively working to replace the Coast Guard Unit’s main cutter Stalwart, which has been in operation for 38 years. The decision to discontinue the use of the vessel, which stands as a testament to the skill of the engineers, who have kept her running, is in keeping with the added demands being placed on the agency for security and disaster relief assistance. Commander of the SKNDF, Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie, said that disaster relief and humanitarian assistance are concerns for the agency. This is particularly…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 28, 2021 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard Unit is expanding its presence in Nevis to ensure that marine operations remain safe and the territorial waters are protected. The Unit falls under the flag of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J. Anthony Comrie. Lt. Col. Comrie appeared on the radio and television programme Working for You on December 28, 2021, and said that security officials have identified Nevis as a “soft spot” where illegal importation is more likely to take place. In response, the Coast Guard has had…