Author: SKNISEditor

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): The Development, Planning and Building Board in St. Kitts is moving to establish a Code Review Committee that will focus on enforcing issues relating to a new and modernized building code. An important aspect that the new code will consider is increasing access to buildings for the differently-abled. Calvin Pemberton, the Chairman of the Development, Planning and Building Board, said that the issue of access and the ease of mobility in public have been a perplexing challenge. “We are trying our best to ensure that new construction and planning permission meet the requirements that…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): Banning the use of single-use plastics reduces pollution and the demand for plastic production. Against this backdrop, the Department of Environment is focusing on banning the use of single-use plastics in St. Kitts and Nevis. “The conversation has started with regards to the banning of single-use plastics and it is a conversation that must continue,” said the Minister of Environment, the Honourable Eric Evelyn, during the September 29 edition of ‘Leadership Matters’, a virtual forum on ZIZ TV. He commented on the Caribbean islands that have since banned the use of single-use plastics, noting that…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris shared a few tips with the general public to encourage them to preserve St. Kitts and Nevis’ environment and reduce our vulnerability to climate change. “We asked that persons use water efficiently daily, employ water conservation measures such as using low flush toilets, low flow taps and showers, implement water conservation measures such as water harvesting, plant more trees as trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen,” said Prime Minister Harris during the September 29 edition of ‘Leadership Matters’, a virtual forum on ZIZ TV. Dr. Harris also…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will fully reopen its borders to international commercial flights and travelers from October 31, 2020. That announcement was made by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris today, October 01 during his monthly press conference held at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Prime Minister Harris told the nation that the opening of the borders will not only facilitate the return of tourists to our shores but will also “allow our own nationals and residents abroad the opportunity to return …

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws has stated that St. Kitts and Nevis must reopen its borders with minimum risks. She said that there must be a careful balance between the public health measures and the facilitation of economic activity. The CMO was at the time speaking at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Press Briefing on September 30. She reminded that that borders were closed on March 25. It has now been six months and there has been no tourist arrivals over that period resulting in a decrease in income and a…

Fellow citizens and residents: Tonight, we focus on a big issue of global concern – Our Stewardship of the Environment. It is said in some quarters that the existence of Climate Change, NCDs and COVID-19 is a reflection of the poor state of planetary health.  The crisis, we are told, is symptomatic of man’s poor stewardship of the natural systems, which support human civilization.  Environmental degradation is a major concern here in St. Kitts and Nevis. The degradation of our shorelines, the careless removal of our beach sand without concern for its replenishment, and the untidy nature of some parks…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): Even in the COVID-19 Pandemic, the maintenance of relationships with stakeholders is key, says Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Raquel Brown, during an appearance on the radio and television show “Working for You” on September 30. Ms. Brown said that around the world, airlines have had to either stop operation or they have had to park their aircrafts because of the uncertainty brought about by the pandemic. She added that the cruise industry has halted operations with the CDC issuing a No Sail Order, which may be extended until…

As Prepared for Delivery Over the last six months (March to September), our Country like the rest of the world has been dealing with the twin crises of the coronavirus pandemic and the deep economic contraction that it precipitated around the world. Our very positive growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2020 was interrupted with the announcement of COVID-19 on March 25th, 2020. Fortunately for us, our early strong actions in closing our borders, denying entry to our ports, and the practising of health protocols allowed us to contain the spread of the virus. As we speak today, St.…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis maintained a relatively strong employment status for the first six months of the year according to figures released by the government on Thursday, October 01, 2020. From January to June 2020, there was a monthly average of 23,745 jobs available. This is slightly down from the 23,909 jobs that were available in the same period of 2019. This is a registered net decline of 164 jobs. Manufacturing, public administration and defence showed an increase of eight percent. Declines were recorded in wholesale and retail, hotels and restaurants, and transport, as…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 01, 2020 (SKNIS): The borders of St. Kitts and Nevis will be opened on October 31, but will be done in a phased approach, says Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws, during the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on October 01. Dr. Laws stated that St. Kitts and Nevis would have looked at other countries who have gone before it with respect to the management of the pandemic and have picked out the best practices. In phase one, all inbound travellers to the Federation will fall into two categories, said the CMO. “The first category would…