Government has announced a further reduction in the curfew times.
Following the Cabinet meeting, it was announced that the new times for the curfew will be from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. This takes effect tonight.
Information Minister Melford Nicholas also announced that beaches will now be opened seven days a week from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beaches will remain closed on public holidays.
The full Cabinet Notes follow:
The Cabinet concluded its fourth virtual meeting in Covid-19 era, beginning at 10:30 am and concluding at 2:10 pm or for approximately four hours.
- The Cabinet agreed to make the following changes to the Curfew window, each is published in the Gazette of today’s date:
1.a. The curfew window authorized by the State of Emergency will now be extended from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.
1.b. The beaches will be open on weekends as well, commencing this weekend; visitation is allowed from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm when the sun has set. There is to be no clustering, no picnicking, no music, no food on the beaches.
1.c. Tennis and swimming will be allowed to commence on Monday, May 18 2020, with protocols in place to include social-distancing rules.
1.d. Churches are free to conduct rituals, including baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals with the social distancing rules enforced, and no more than 25 persons in the sanctuary all wearing masks. The churches are to submit their protocols for consideration, which protocols will govern the holding of their regular Saturday and Sunday services.
- As the Cabinet moves to opening the economy in order to provide opportunities for many workers to earn an income, the Cabinet decided on the following:
2.a. All investment properties that commence their construction within this period will be allowed waiver of duties and customary taxes on building supplies, fixtures and equipment. Construction is encouraged with social distancing, hand-washing and other healthy practices that will inhibit the spread of the Coronavirus.
2.b. The V.C. Bird International Airport will open to commercial traffic on June 1, 2020. A number of international carriers are expected to begin service to Antigua within days of that date. Certain protocols will apply, both at the time of embarkation of travelers at the source markets, and upon their arrival in Antigua. All returning nationals who will go to homes continue to be compelled to spend 14 days in quarantine. The coronavirus in Antigua came from two sources; one being returning nationals who unwittingly spread the disease to others.
2.c. Barbers, beauty salons, nail salons will all require a certificate from the Ministry of Health indicating that the establishment has been examined and is approved for operation. It is to be placed in a prominent place for examination by customers and Health Inspection Officers.
- The Minister of Health informed the Cabinet that only two (2) known persons are now infected with the coronavirus in Antigua.There may be others who are a-symptomatic and may pose a threat to their daily contacts. However, the data with which the Ministry is now working, it is reasonable to conclude that: “We are virtually Covid-free,” the Minister informed. He provided the data to support the claim.
Under these circumstances, the Cabinet agreed that the importation of the disease is likely to be the challenge which the people and Government will face. In that regard, the Cabinet determined that managing the risk is now the dominant mode of operation. Hence, avoiding community spread by a single infected person is challenging. (Community spread is used to mean that the origin is unknown. This did not occur in Antigua and Barbuda precisely because of the imposed measures which the people of Antigua and Barbuda continue to willingly abide.)
- A charter out of the U.K. bearing nearly 30 tons of medical equipment and supplies will be arriving Antigua on Saturday, May 16, 2020, courtesy of Mr. Calvin Ayre. The aircraft will ferry back to the U.K. a number of British citizens who have been stuck in Antigua. A number of British nationals will arrive from neighbouring islands to join the flight returning to the U.K.
Another charter is set to arrive V.C. Bird International tomorrow, Thursday, 14 May 2020, bearing medical supplies, compliments of Jumby Bay resident Sir Martin Franklin.
- The Prime Minister/Chairman reported on the Second Meeting of the Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) which was held on Tuesday, May 12, 2020. The proposals put forward has been captured by the Minutes which have been distributed. The Sub-Committees of the ERC are to report on their findings and proposals that will further inform the Steering Committee of the ERC.
- The Parliament will meet tomorrow, Thursday, at 10:00 am, in the Parliament Building. Several important measures are to be tabled
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2 responses to “BREAKING: New curfew time now 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Beaches now open for 7 days”
Does it start today?
And what about the regulations with family members or occupancy to vehicle plz n tnks