BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Government has confirmed that a restriction is now in place for persons travelling from the three countries where the variant of the COVID-19 virus has mutated.
South. Africa, Brazil, and the United Kingdom have been placed under a travel advisory by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the National Covid-19 Task Force.
The strains from the three countries were found in at least 33 countries and have been responsible for several deaths.
In the region, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Barbados have all confirmed cases of the UK strain of the virus which health experts have concluded is 70 percent more contagious.
The National Task Force noted that “in the interest of continuing to protect our borders and the health and wellness of our citizens and residents the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, through the National Covid-19 Task Force, hereby advises that it has implemented a travel advisory in response to the emergence of three new variants of the Covid19 virus”.
The body noted that with the UK variant currently found in the CARICOM region, it is cause for concern for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, “particularly as this UK mutation of the original virus is far more transmissible and carries a higher likelihood of death from the symptoms of Covid-19”.
So what does the travel advisory mean?
According to the Task Force, people seeking to travel from the three destinations are advised not to do so at this time, with a reminder that authorisation has to be granted by the National Covid-19 Task Force and must be approved by the Ministry of National Security.
Additionally, the advisory, which began on Sunday (Feb. 7), will remain in place for 30 days and will not affect citizens and legal residents returning from any of the aforementioned countries.
However, they must apply through the online platforms to gain approval for entry at www.knatravelform.kn.
