Basseterre: St Kitts and Nevis government on Wednesday announced that the travel ban on incoming travellers from the United Kingdom to the federation will be lifted from September 1, 2021.
Abdias Samuel, Chairperson of the National COVID-19 Task Force, made an announcement that all travellers arriving in St Kitts and Nevis from the United Kingdom will be permitted entry into the Federation.
The latest advisory issued on July 20, 2021, for the UK, South Africa, Brazil and India has extended the travel restrictions till August 31, 2021. As a result of mutations of the COVID-19 virus, the restrictions were instituted for all incoming travellers.
Health authorities are still concerned about the introduction of the highly transmissible Delta variant but are continuing to vaccinate the public to attain herd immunity.
Following the launch of the Roll Up 2 Roll Out Vaccination Campaign in late February, more than 70 per cent of the adult population received the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, while more than 60 per cent have received a second dose so far.
Medical Chief of Staff, Dr Cameron Wilkinson at Joseph N. France General Hospital, said the high vaccination rate in St Kitts and Nevis population is a critical factor in the decision to lift the travel advisory for the UK.
“As our vaccination rate increases and we are offered greater protection, we have lowered the bar a bit so that we can absorb a greater risk in knowing that we are being protected,” said Dr Wilkinson. The Delta variant is in the US and a total of five flights are coming to St Kitts and Nevis, “but we did well with our extraordinary vaccination rate.”
“We have determined to lift the advisory from the UK, and in future, you will see that other restrictions are lifted,” he said.
The Medical Chief of Staff continued that the pandemic persists very fluid, and in time another advisory will be lifted or issued based on the global developments and the local situation on the site.
Samuel remarked that consultations with the British Airways Management Group in the Caribbean would soon begin on the return of the weekly service to St Kitt’s to facilitate.