HURST REPORTS ON CABINET of Wednesday January 6 2021 — For the very first time in 2021, the Cabinet was convened; members met both virtually and face-to-face, three members choosing the virtual format. There were no invitees to Cabinet, which is a custom of the Gaston Browne-led administration over the past 6+ years. Three officials and experts are to be invited next Wednesday when Cabinet convenes for the second time in the New Year.
The Cabinet reviewed the situation pertaining to Covid-19 throughout Antigua and Barbuda, in several Caribbean countries and in the United Kingdom. The Cabinet deemed the low rate of infection in Antigua and Barbuda to be the result of the protocols established at the beginning of the pandemic; adherence to the rules by the vast majority of the population; and, the readiness of the health system to test and treat those who become infected. The Minister reported that 3 new cases of infections have been recorded at the Mount St. John Medical Center. One of the cases was from a visitor; the other two were nationals. Contact tracing has intensified. Nine people are being actively treated for the disease in Antigua and Barbuda. The new variant of the virus is not in Antigua and Barbuda, tests reveal.
The Cabinet also reviewed the readiness of the Covid-19 vaccine for Antigua and Barbuda; the estimate of availability in Antigua is several months away. However, utilizing the PAHO/WHO COVACS arrangement, a significant supply is guaranteed. The systems governing the application of the vaccine are being developed. The Ministry of Health has been advised to be careful with impostors who are marketing fake Covid vaccines.
The Cabinet repeated the regrets of the administration that Barbados and St. Lucia have had recent spikes in Covid-19 infections from super-spreader events that have adversely affected hundreds of lives and livelihoods, even more severely in these CARICOM states than before. The Cabinet continues to urge the Antigua and Barbuda population to abide by the social distancing, the handwashing and the wearing of masks whenever in public.
The Cabinet reviewed the situation pertaining to Covid-19 throughout Antigua and Barbuda, in several Caribbean countries and in the United Kingdom…
The U.K. has closed its borders until mid-February 2021, and restricting movements within the country except for essential services. The Cabinet was informed that Virgin Atlantic will continue to have flights to Antigua, though it is not possible to determine how long for, and if they will be further reduced. British Airways will not discontinue their flights immediately, but has not yet published a schedule.
The decision by the U.K. Government to impose a lockdown is likely to result in a reduction of British visitors to the region which will adversely affect employment of hotel staff and other fall-off in commerce.
The decision by the U.K. Government to impose a lockdown is likely to result in a reduction of British visitors to the region which will adversely affect employment of hotel staff and other fall-off in commerce.
The Cabinet held a discussion about the future of LIAT. A Cabinet sub-committee on LIAT was formed to include three ministers (Hon. Robin Yearwood, Hon Molwyn Joseph and Hon. Lenox Weston). The three have been directed to follow LIAT’s progress by meeting with decision-makers and reporting back to Cabinet. The resources to keep LIAT flying are being provided solely by Antigua and Barbuda, utilizing resources borrowed more than one year ago for the purpose of re-capitalizing the airline. The closure of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados impacts the movement of people to and from that country, and the connectivity which visa applicants require.
The Cabinet was made of the likely requirement for PCR Negative Tests for entry into several additional states. Additional PCR Test machines are to be acquired by the MSJMC, therefore, in the event additional states require the gold standard of the coronavirus tests. Rapid antigen tests are not permitted for entry into Antigua and Barbuda. Hotels are reminded that they are required to set aside two rooms on their properties in the event a guest is tested positive and must be isolated.
The Minister of Tourism informed that the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will move forward on its investment at Fort James; drawings are being completed that will be submitted to DCA. The RCC will build an entertainment center costing more than US$50 million dollars on the land east of the beach, to provide entertainment for its cruise passengers when their large Quantum Class vessels discharge their thousands of passengers upon docking at the newly-built pier in St. John’s.
Global Ports Holding will shortly be proceeding with the building of shops at the landside of the new pier and upgrades at the Heritage Quay Shopping Center. GPH has already paid-off a $21 million dollar debt to ACB which was owed by SJDC for two decades. The GPH has continued to pay its staff during this period when no cruise ships have called at the St. John’s ports.
The Cabinet decided to expand the Christmas Dollar Barrel initiative until February 28, 2021. More than 10,000 barrels were shipped by relatives abroad to their kith and kin in Antigua; barrels may contain clothing, foodstuff, and sanitizing materials only in order to qualify for the special waiver program.
Cabinet learned of the death of former Senator Robin Bascus. The Cabinet expressed its condolences to the family of the former parliamentarian. The Cabinet made a decision to accord the Honourable Senator an official funeral. A date has not yet been set for his burial.
The ADOMS Building on Factory Road is now complete and will soon have paying tenants assigned to it. The occupants will provide sufficient rental income to meet the cost of repaying the loans and the overruns that characterized several construction projects inherited by the current administration in 2014. The Treasury Building at the top of St. Mary’s Street was another. One official was accused of deliberately delaying the construction and inflating the cost on each of the projects assigned to him by the previous administration. He has since returned to his own country.
The Minister of Lands has indicated that a total of five hundred plots of land will be turned into parcels for sale to potential homeowners, in 2021. In the Parish of St. Mary’s, crown land has been identified that will be placed under the ownership of CHAPA for sale to homeowners. Further, those who were assigned land by CHAPA and have made no payments, or have been seriously delinquent in their payments, will have those parcels sold to others. The CHAPA will be partnering with a contractor to build 500 homes on those lands, compelling new owners to enter into mortgage arrangements with banks and credit unions.
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