BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE latest round of measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak has affected all facets of workers in St. Kitts and Nevis, forcing the Government to implement a new round of stimulus.
Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris today (July 6) announced that Cabinet has approved the roll-out of a new Income Support Programme in the sum of EC$15 million, which goes along with the $120 million allocated last year to support the economic fallout.
“We will implement an Income Support Programme in the amount of $15 million to alleviate hardships on our citizens who remain unemployed since March 2020 and are registered with the Social Security Board,” announced Harris.
Speaking at his monthly press conference this morning, the Prime Minister explained that given the fact that the extended stimulus programme expired at the end of June and the persistence of the pandemic, yesterday the Cabinet approved the sweeping new package.
He stated that many of the measures included in last year’s stimulus package would continue until the end of the year.
In the new package, Dr. Harris announced a monthly stipend of $1,000 would be paid for the next three months. However, persons who have already received more than $15,000 or more in severance payment after March 2020 would not now be eligible to access the programme.
He added that those persons receiving assistance under the PAP would only be entitled to receive an additional $500 under the Income Support Programme, noting that those in receipt of a government stipend of $1,000 would not enjoy a further benefit of $1,000.
That was part of a 10 point strategic plan outlined by the Prime Minister.
Among the other initiatives he outlined were the waiving of “commercial rent for six months (July to December 2021) for small businesses which lease space from the Government through the Ministry of Tourism and Transport”; and further reduction of the VAT Rate for three months (July to September 2021) from 10 percrnt to five percent on commercial rent for small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and a valid business license.
Dr. Harris also announced the reintroduction of the annual Import Duty exemption for 16 tyres; fuel subsidy of $400 per month to passenger bus operators for three months; the waiving of stall fees for vendors using the public market until December 31; the reduction of travel tax for the next six months in an effort to boost visitor arrival; and increased support to battered women through the Ministry of Social Development.
The Government will also provide support to families of children who are differently abled to help them over the next six months.
In addition, “SKELEC has agreed to provide a deferral on residential electricity bills for the next three months.”
