BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has thrown its support behind the Government’s drive to inoculate 70 percent of the population in order to achieve herd immunity, as the Federation pushes to fully reopen the tourism sector.
A media statement from the local private sector body noted that it “strongly endorses the Government policy of achieving vaccination of 70% of citizens and residents in our Federation in order to re-open the economy on October 1, 2021”.
At a meeting of tourism members and stakeholders, Minister of Tourism Lindsay Grant confirmed that the Government has eyed October 1 as the time when the border would be fully reopened; however, that is dependent on whether the Federation has reached that minimum 70 percent mark.
The reopening would be followed by the gradual acceptance of cruise vessels beginning in June.
There is a reluctance by many people in the Federation concerning the vaccine, as some of them have either refused to accept it or continuously spread misinformation about its use.
The Government and medical practitioners have urged all to get vaccinated despite international reports about blood clots.
The Chamber said it supports all members who are pursuing that objective by encouraging employees to be vaccinated and by organising sensitisation programmes on-site to facilitate employees as well as to accommodate a smoother vaccination process.
“The safety of employees and customers is paramount to each business. Maximum vaccination provides the best way of providing such protection.
“The private sector employs over 15,000 persons in St. Kitts-Nevis accounting for approximately 45% of the persons required to be vaccinated to reach the 70% threshold as advised by the Health Officials to reopen our country to visitors without quarantine regulations,” the Chamber noted.
In urging caution, the CIC reminded of the reality that the Federation's health capacity could not “manage a significant community outbreak of Covid-19”.
The statement added: “We have avoided that up to the present and must continue to do so. Let us not drop our guard at this critical time when there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“Calling for the boycott and slandering of businesses that provide employment, pay taxes and support community initiatives and events is unfortunate and ill-advised. We must co-exist in this pandemic. The Chamber advises employees to take their concerns to their immediate supervisors for discussion and resolution and not feed off social media. Similarly, we advise employers to not share employee’s information via such means. While we may not always agree on how we communicate within our organisations it is important we bear in mind we are all unsure of our future, including businesses who shoulder a huge responsibility in the reopening of the economy.”
