COVID-19 new protocols angers St Lucia’s people: SLP

St Lucia: According to Saint Lucia Labour Party, the Prime Minister of St Lucia updated COVID-19 new protocols, which angers St Lucia’s people.

SLP released a press in which they told that “The latest declarations from the Government regarding the coronavirus crisis now seizing St Lucia, which were proclaimed on Wednesday, January 20th, January 20th, have once again highlighted the Government’s inadequate handling of this pandemic and have left the people of this country confused, dissatisfied, disgruntled and angry.”

Furthermore, they added, these protocols are ‘too little too late’ as they do not immediately address the core of the COVID threat facing Saint Lucia today. Firstly, there was no statement on expanding the capacity to test nationally for COVID 19. It is now apparent that people are being infected and do not bother to get tested unless their symptoms get severe. We need a mass testing program. 

Additionally, SLP stated that there was no rethinking of the open border policy, which has failed us. SLP reemphasizes that with the borders remaining open, a second test requirement for all visitors must be implemented. 

Thirdly, SLP needs a clear statement on the capacity to isolate positive cases to avoid persons breaching stay at home requests.

Mistakes in Protocols

According to SLP, the protocols are not consistent in the actions they seek to curtail. There is no excuse for construction operations to be allowed after 9 pm except that the Government wants to relentlessly pursue its election works program. 

The restriction on special religious activities is not constant; regulations should be on space’s size. The limitation on the sale of alcohol is discriminatory to locals. 

Visitors can have access to alcohol and are free to socialize, while locals are denied even private purchases. How can the whole countrywide suspension of liquor licenses reduce the spread of COVID 19? Little wonder that these protocols have angered the people.

They are also disgusted and angry at Prime Minister for his remarks, blaming them for the current rise in COVID 19 cases and conveniently absolving your Government from the dreadful health situation in which we are in.

Prime Minister’s government that in December 2020 relaxed COVID 19 Protocols before the Christmas and the New Year seasons, so signaling to the people that they too could relax and drop their guard. Now that things have become dire, they are washing your hands like Pontius Pilate.

Prime Minister’s government is failing to carry out adequate testing for COVID 19 among our citizens. PM’s government is refusing to test tourists for COVID 19 after they have arrived in St Lucia. 

SLP added, “Prime Minister, it is you who declines to admit that the primary source of the continuing COVID 19 presence in St Lucia is from worldwide arrivals and not from the back door as you have been insisting.”

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