BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - PRIME MINISTER Dr. Timothy Harris has announced that the Federation’s borders would be reopened at the end of theis month (Oct. 31).
He made the announcement today (Oct. 1), following the delay of the initial October 1date earlier given, during the latest of his monthly press conferences where he gave the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy.
According to Dr. Harris, the delay in opening the borders today is due, in large measure, to work still being undertaken at the RLB International Airport by a contracting company.
He revealed that the contractor indicated that the renovation work would be completed by the October 26, thus paving the way for the 31st reopening.
It has been six months since St. Kitts and Nevis allowed commercial passenger flights into the islands due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The contractor…has advised SCASPA that work will be completed not later than October 26, 2020. The first phase of the work addresses the welcome center and the ramp in front of the arrival areas; converting the VIP lounge into a medical screening area; and constructing sneeze guards on the counters.
“I have consulted with our health experts and they have been working with SCAPA on plans to retrofit our airport for passenger movement…We will open our borders to the rest of the world, but rest assured we will never drop our guard,” Dr. Harris said.
“I am pleased to report that our borders will be fully opened on October 31, 2020,” he added.
Meantime, the Prime Minister noted that St. Kitts and Nevis would participate in the regional Travel Bubble as soon as the borders are reopened.
That Bubble will allow persons living in territories with low COVID-19 cases, or none at all, to work and travel across those member states without having to be subjected to quarantine upon arrival after providing a negative result document.
