The St Lucia government has announced several amendments to their coronavirus (COVID-19) protocols including allowing for returning nationals and visitors with a negative PCR test who are fully vaccinated not to quarantine.
The government says that the measures go into effect from Monday, May 31 until June 30 as the island continues to strengthen its vaccination campaign.
A government statement said that as of May 28, a total of 27,709 individuals had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 18,277 others have received the second dose.
“This COVID-19 vaccination drive caters to the general population, 18 years and older, for the first dose as well as individuals receiving the second dose of the vaccine.”
The statement said that the Cabinet of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet after “careful deliberation on recommendations from the Command Centre” had agreed to adjust the COVID-19 protocols, to allow some concessions for fully vaccinated persons based on the protection being provided by vaccination in keeping with the science.
But it warned that all public health measures such as mandatory mask-wearing in public, social distancing and washing and sanitizing of hands remain in place. It said the curfew remains 9:00 pm to 4:00 am (local time) daily.
The Prime Minister however warned that St. Lucia is still at “a critical point” in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding “we anticipate the risks involved and will continue to strengthen the public health system.
“We urge the public to act responsibly and ask for the full cooperation in the safe implementation of the new measures in place.”
Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Health and Wellness over the weekend indicated that the island recorded 33 new cases of COVID-19 from a batch of 329 samples taken during the period May 21-27.
The new cases bring the total number of cases diagnosed in the country to date to 5035.
CMC
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