St. Kitts and Nevis has closed its borders to visitors who were not fully vaccinated due to the emergence of 16 new cases of coronavirus in the Caribbean nation in late May.
The move is one of many initiated late last week by Prime Minister Timothy Harris to stop the virus from spreading again. He also used the announcement as an appeal to residents to get vaccinated.
“In this war to defeat COVID-19, all we have is to work ourselves and support each other in doing what is right to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” Harris said in a national radio address. “The more people vaccinated, the less susceptible we will be to events like last week’s.”
Visitors planning to travel to St. Kitts and Nevis are reportedly required to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to arrival the new ruleswhich came into effect on May 29th.
You will need to fill out a travel authorization form and provide a copy of your vaccination card and proof of a negative COVID test taken 72 hours prior to travel. Visitors will receive a letter of approval to join the association.
Upon arrival, travelers are required to vacation for nine days in approved hotels where they can participate in all hotel activities. For stays longer than nine days, visitors must take another PVR test on the ninth day at their own expense – approximately $ 150. If the results are negative, they are free to do anything on the islands.
There are seven approved hotels in St. Kitts and Nevis that visitors can stay at: Four Seasons, Golden Rock Inn, Marriott Vacation Beach Club, Montpelier plantation and beach, Paradise beach, Park Hyatt, and Royal St. Kitts Hotel. Travelers wishing to stay in a private rental apartment or condominium must have pre-approval from the government.
“Strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical measures – the wearing of masks, disinfection, and physical and social distancing – must be observed in public as well as in business and worship locations,” said Harris. “Remember that your personal responsibility is paramount in this fight.”
Children who have not been vaccinated can travel to St. Kitts and Nevis with their vaccinated parents, but the rules for local vacation for these families extend to 14 days under the new rules.
In addition to the new entry requirements, Harris has imposed a national curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., closed schools for two weeks, and reduced public transport and ferry capacity to 50 percent.
While the 16 new cases may not seem like a large number, they are compared to the association’s performance. There have only been 60 confirmed cases as of March 2020.
Until last week, more than 22,000 residents had been vaccinated, around 49 percent of the population.
“I would like to praise everyone who stepped forward and done the right thing not to protect themselves but to vaccinate everyone else in the Blessed Federation,” said Harris. “We’re getting closer to our goal, but we need you who haven’t already to come forward and get vaccinated. Now is not the time to hesitate. “
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