‘Travel Bubble’ burst

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

The St Kitts-Nevis government says it is opting out of the ‘CARICOM Travel Bubble’, citing a number of health concerns to its citizens and residents as the region continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Participation in the CARICOM Bubble with countries of higher risk assessment and less stringent protocols would expose citizens and residents to elevated health risks,’ Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris said on his television programme, ‘Leadership Matters’, on Tuesday night.

“Having discussed this matter at length with the cabinet and our National COVID-19 Task Force and arrived at a consensus, I have today (Tuesday) advised the secretary general of the CARICOM Secretariat, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque, that St Kitts and Nevis has, in our national interest, albeit for health reasons, withdrawn from the bubble, effective immediately. I have also requested our chief medical officer to advise CARPHA of our decision,” Harris said.