The Governor General has been advised A State of Emergency in Antigua and Barbuda
The Cabinet determined that circumstances in Antigua 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(1) 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 March, 28, 2020, for a period of 14 days or up until April 11, 2020, a curfew will enter into effect from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. beginning Saturday evening, 28th March, 2020, and continuing daily until April 11, 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), Judges, Lawyers and support staff, Air Traffic Controllers, Police Officers, Soldiers, Workers at Clinics, Elderly Care Workers, the Port Authority 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 Tire Repair Shops, of Call Centers, 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, March 27, 2020, by 8:00 p.m. tonight. Restaurants are encouraged to remain open in order to serve takeaway meals only, or breakfasts and lunches.
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, but they are to 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. at night 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 closed to incoming Yachts at the commencement of the Curfew on Saturday night.
All public servants and pensioners were paid today, as directed by the Prime Minister. The National Security Council will meet today at 4:00 p.m. to ensure the efficacy of Cabinet’s Decisions.
