Government Institutes 14-day Curfew in Antigua and Barbuda
27 March 2020
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda determined that circumstances in Antigua and Barbuda have sufficiently changed with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis so as to declare a State of Emergency which now exists under Section 20 of the Constitution Order of Antigua and Barbuda 1981.
The Governor-General has been advised, on that basis to declare a State of Emergency in Antigua and Barbuda.
Commencing at midnight on Saturday, 28 March 2020, for a period of fourteen (14) days or up until Saturday, 11 April 2020, a curfew will enter into effect from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. and continuing daily until 11 April 2020. The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force will patrol the streets of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure compliance with the curfew hours.
All essential services workers, include: Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Orderlies and Administrative Staff, Caregivers, Employees of the Central Government and of Statutory Bodies (who are to be advised by their senior managers), the Media Workers, Judges, meteorological services, Lawyers and Support Staff, Air Traffic Controllers, Police Officers, Soldiers, Workers at Clinics, Elderly Care Workers, Sanitary Workers, Customs, Immigration, Security Personnel, Air and Sea ports Employees and any other essential employees.
Employees of Wholesalers, Supermarkets and Bakeries (shall close in time for staff to arrive home at 8:00 pm), of Pharmacies, of Banks, of Gas Stations and Tyre Repair Shops, of Call Centres, all Construction Workers and Media Workers are regarded as essential workers for this purpose but shall maintain social distance.
Bars, clubs, places of entertainment and gyms are to close today Friday, 27 March 2020, by midnight. Restaurants are encouraged to remain open in order to serve takeaway meals only, to include breakfasts and lunches.
Hotels with occupants are required to remain open and therefore, hotel employees are considered as essential for this purpose. It must be noted that gaming rooms, spas, gyms, tennis courts and any other recreational services provided by hotels are not allowed. In-room dining are also advised.
All non-essential services and businesses are to remain closed for two weeks, in the first instance, during the State of Emergency.
Drivers of all buses shall wear masks and all passengers shall also wear masks; the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will provide ten thousand masks for bus drivers and passengers shortly, however, it is recommended that they purchase their own.
Sports Clubs and athletic associations shall advise their members that no more than twenty-five persons are allowed to congregate at any one time, and that they must return to their homes before 8:00 p.m. during the State of the Emergency.
Funerals and weddings shall not exceed the twenty-five-person rule and social distancing shall be practiced. Antigua and Barbuda’s borders are also closed to incoming Yachts at the commencement of the Curfew on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, all public servants and pensioners were paid today, as directed by the Prime Minister. The National Security Council met today at 4:00 p.m. to ensure the efficacy of Cabinet’s Decisions.
