COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Lucia
The COVID-19 pandemic in Saint Lucia is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019, which was confirmed to have reached Saint Lucia on 13 March 2020. As of 30 July, there are a total of 25 confirmed cases, of which 22 have recovered and no deaths have occurred.
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.
Timeline
March 2020
On 13 March 2020, the first case in Saint Lucia was confirmed. The patient is a 63-year-old woman with a travel history from the United Kingdom. The Department of Health and Wellness confirmed a second case on 14 March 2020. The patients were repatriated to the United Kingdom on 24 and 25 March.On 20 March 2020, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet announced that Saint Lucia would implement social distancing measures, including the suspension of nonessential commercial activity from 23 March through 5 April. The government also imposed a 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. On 29 March, the Prime Minister extended the shutdown to 14 April and extended the curfew to 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
On 23 March 2020, the Government of Saint Lucia declared a state of emergency and announced the closure of the country's airports to incoming passenger flights until 5 April.
On 27 March 2020, the Ministry of Health began local testing for COVID-19 and, on 29 March, it reported the first instance of local transmission among six new confirmed cases. The ministry also reported that 300 persons were under supervised quarantine.
On 29 March 2020, the government banned the sale of alcoholic beverages, suspending all liquor licenses and closing all bars.
On 31 March 2020, the Prime Minister announced a 24-hour curfew confining all persons to their place of residence from 5 a.m. 1 April to 5 a.m. 7 April. At the time of the announcement, persons were already under curfew meaning they could not make any arrangements for the new curfew.
April 2020
On 1 April 2020, the Prime Minister announced that mini-marts and bakeries would be open for a limited time to allow people to buy goods. On 2 April, St. Lucians queued up in long lines outside the briefly opened shops, mostly ignoring the prime minister's calls to practise social distancing.On 5 April 2020, the Prime Minister announced that St. Lucia would revert to a 10-hour 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew from 7 April through 13 April. Essential businesses would be allowed to operate from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., except during the Good Friday, Easter and Easter Monday holidays.
On 8 April 2020, a social stabilization program was announced for people who have become unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, or who are vulnerable, and an economic support package for businesses.
Sarah Flood Beaubrun, Minister for External Affairs, announced that they working with the United States and Canada to return Saint Lucians stranded abroad.
On 12 April 2020, the government extended the 10-hour 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and partial commercial shutdown through 26 April. The government added hardware and home supply stores to the list of businesses permitted to operate to allow preparation for the drought and hurricane seasons.
On 21 April 2020, the first home nationals have been repatriated. The repatriants are eight employees of Norwegian Cruise Line who had been anchored on the coast of Barbados since 9 April.
On 22 April 2020, Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belmar-George announced that all 15 of the country's confirmed cases had recovered, including those at high risk because of their age or preexisting conditions. All measures including the curfew will remain in effect for now, and Belmar-George warned against a resurge in the future. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet was asked about lifting the alcohol restriction. Chastanet will look in it, but wants to follow the advice by the Chief Medical Officer. On 30 April, Chastenet announced that the alcohol ban will not be lifted.
The Cabinet of Saint Lucia agreed to cut their salary by 75% due to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus and the loss of income from tourism. The government will meet on 28 April to deal with the loss of revenue.
On 24 April 2020, the Ministry of Health announced: "Though this 100 percent recovery rate provides us with a milestone worth recognizing, we at the Ministry of Health continue to caution the public that any gains attained should not be understood as a reason to let down our guard or to throw caution to the wind." Between 21 and 24 April, 60 tests have been performed all resulting negative.
On 28 April 2020, there are now 17 confirmed cases, of whom 15 have recovered. The two new cases are a 54-year mother who had been isolating since 4 March and her 20-year-old son.
On 30 April 2020, the World Bank will provide US$10.5 million to Saint Lucia for their COVID-19 response.
May 2020
On 2 May 2020, the Saint Lucia Diaspora Affairs Unit reported that 29 Saint Lucians abroad have died from COVID-19. 22 in the United States, six in the United Kingdom and one in Switzerland.On 8 May 2020, the government partially lifted the ban on the sale of alcohol, allowing the sale of alcohol in stores.
On 18 May 2020, the Ministry of Commerce permitted businesses to resume full operations during normal business hours. Curfew hours were changed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Schools and cinemas remained closed and mass crowd events were still prohibited.
On 19 May 2020, Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee announced a phased reopening of Saint Lucia's tourism industry, starting with the reopening of borders to international flights starting 4 June.
June 2020
On 5 June 2020, a 19th case was announced, a 33-year-old female cruise worker that was among people repatriated.On 12 June 2020, It was announced that starting June 15, as part of government's phased re-opening, the curfew would be adjusted from beginning at 9 pm to beginning at 12 am through 5 am; social gatherings would be allowed and those with licenses would be allowed to sell liquor.
July 2020
On 2 July 2020, the government announced new travel protocols for incoming travelers. Travelers will be required to obtain a negative PCR test within seven days of travel unless they are arriving from countries in the Travel Bubble designated by the Government of Saint Lucia. The Travel Bubble includes Antigua, Barbuda, Aruba, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Monsterrat, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Martin, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos.On 6 July 2020, the prime minister announced that the nightly curfew will be lifted on 10 July. He also announced the reopening of cinemas, early childhood development centres and sporting events, subject to protocols.
Preventive measures
- All schools are closed.
- Non-essential businesses were closed from 23 March through 17 May.
- Curfew between 23:00 and 05:00. Changed to 19:00 to 05:00 on 5 April and changed to 21:00 to 05:00 on 18 May.
- Bars are closed, and restaurants are limited to take-out and drive-through service only. Alcohol sales were prohibited from 29 March until 8 May.
- Air and sea ports were closed from 23 March through 3 June, except for cargo shipments and outgoing flights to repatriate foreign nationals.
- Limited reopening of minimarts and bakeries. Home supplies and hardware shorts reopened. Construction will be allowed under conditions, reopening of fabric stores.