St Kitts and Nevis: Government extends curfew measures through May 9 /update 3

Event

Prime Minister Timothy Harris has announced that a series of curfew measures will be in place from Friday, May 1, until 06:00 (local time) on Saturday, May 9, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. A partial curfew will be in place from 19:00 on Thursday, April 30, to 06:00 on Friday; individuals may leave their homes outside of these times to purchase essential items. From Friday night at 19:00 until 06:00 on Tuesday, May 5, a full 24-hour curfew will be in place, during which residents must remain in their homes at all times, except for those with special exemptions as essential workers or with permission from the Commissioner of Police. From May 5, a nightly curfew from 19:00 to 06:00 will be reinstated until the morning of May 9. Restrictions may be extended beyond May 9 depending on the spread of the virus.

Saint Kitts and Nevis has been under a state of emergency since Saturday, March 28. On Friday, April 17, the state of emergency was extended for six months.

The country's borders remain closed, with no access available to nationals, residents, or foreign nationals via the country's seaports or airports.

As of May 1, there have been 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide, with no associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.

• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.

• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.