Author: SKNISEditor

Tuesday, 18 May 2021 (PANCAP Coordinating Unit, CARICOM Secretariat): The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, will convene a virtual three-day meeting of National AIDS Programme (NAP) Managers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Key Partners, 2 – 4 June 2021 to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national and regional HIV programmes. The meeting will also discuss how countries are coping and adjusting programme delivery during COVID-19 to ensure sustainability. Stakeholders will also decide how the Partnership and Key partners…

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is gravely concerned by the recent escalation in violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians. CARICOM joins the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities. CARICOM continues to support the United Nations’ efforts towards a two-state solution as the best way forward. 19 May 2021

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 22, 2021 (SKNIS): On Thursday (May 20, 2021), Giselle Matthews, President of St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SKNCIC), shared her personal story of vaccine hesitancy and why she ultimately decided to get a jab in the hopes of encouraging others to get vaccinated. During an emergency briefing of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Mrs. Matthews indicated that her family has a medical history with [poor] circulation and she also has coagulation. This was a concern as there were investigations in some countries surrounding reports of a small number of individuals developing blood…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, the Honourable Alexis Jeffers, says his ministry is committed to youth development within the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis by offering opportunities through agriculture.During his presentation at the handing over ceremony of the hydroponics shade house to the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) on May 20, Minister Jeffers said, “we have committed the full force of the Ministry behind supporting the youth involvement in agriculture and future thinking methods of crop production such as hydroponics.”“The Ministry has also partnered with CFBC on a number of projects including a…

Basseterre: St. Kitts, May 20, 2021: Minister of Education, Youths, Sports and Culture, the Honourable Jonel Powell encourages the nation’s youths to consider studies in agriculture. This was made evident in an address at the handing over ceremony of the Hydroponic Shade Room to the division of Technical and Vocational Education and Management Studies (TVEMS): Agricultural Science Program, at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Annex on May 20, 2021. “As the Minister of Education, I’m proud to be able to stand here and join in the boast of the Agricultural Studies Program that is offered at CFBC. I use…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, will deliver an address to the nation this evening, Friday, May 21 at 8:00pm on ZIZ Radio and Television. Thehonourable prime minister’s national address will be centered on the country’s COVID-19 situation. Thisevening’s address follows the Wednesday, May 19 announcement of the 46th confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Federation and the subsequent contact-tracing exercise that is ongoing. There have been no COVID-19 deaths in the country so far, as all previous 45…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (SKNIS): Medical Chief of Staff of the Joseph N. France General Hospital (JNF), Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, is urging persons to utilize the vaccines available in order to ensure the safety and security of the Federation from the deadly effects of the Novel Coronavirus. “Since February 22, we have had the tool to fight this virus, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine sitting in refrigerators whilst some of us choose not to be vaccinated. We told you that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 70 percent effective in preventing Covid-19, it is 96 percent effective in preventing severe disease after just…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (SKNIS): On May 20, 2021, the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Agricultural Studies Programme held its handing over ceremony for the donation of a Hydroponic Shade House. During brief remarks at the event, Minister of Education, Hon. Jonel Powell urged those present to continue their support for agriculture education in an effort to strengthen food security and economic diversification.“The events of the past year and a half due to the COVID-19 pandemic have really forced us to rethink our strategies, and perhaps ironically the first alternative that was present was agriculture…What we have before us…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (SKNIS): The National COVID-19 Task Force and by extension the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis were applauded by St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SKNCIC) for the swift action to contain the spread of COVID-19 following the positive test result of a hotel worker with no history of travel. The 46th confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified on May 19, 2021, and immediately placed in isolation. A robust contact tracing exercise commenced identifying persons who interacted with the individual employed in the housekeeping department. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Hazel Laws, noted…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 21, 2021 (Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs): A new Social Protection Policy for the Federation is currently being developed.The new policy, which will replace the last Social Protection Strategy (2013-2017), began being developed in August 2020 by Dr. David Cownie of the Social Impact Assessment and Policy Analysis Corporation (SIAPAC) – a Cayman Islands-based Consultant with over thirty-four (34) years experience in the social protection field.While Dr. Cownie has been unable to travel to the Federation due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, he was able to conduct several online interviews with local stakeholders late last year to gain initial…