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USVI launches virtual St. John Celebration

USVI - St. John Celebration

USVI – U.S. Virgin Islands virtual St. John Celebration

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (June 18, 2020) – The 66th annual St. John Celebration, which was set for June 3 to July 4, 2020, has been canceled, but organizers have announced a “pop-up” virtual festival which will run from June 27 to July 4.

U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte stated that due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and restrictions on mass gatherings in the Territory, which will likely extend through the summer, the Division of Festivals team made the practical decision to cancel this year’s celebration.

“We will, however, build on the virtual activities our team rolled out for Carnival Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, and we will take our music, culture and pageantry into the homes of thousands of Virgin Islanders and potential visitors to our islands,” said Commissioner Boschulte, who added that the Department of Tourism received tremendous positive feedback from the online social activities, which included musical performances as well as replays of previous carnival activities.

Commissioner Boschulte, along with Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals, thanked Governor Albert Bryan Jr., fellow government colleagues, sponsors and volunteers for ensuring the success of St. Thomas’ Virtual Carnival, and said the Division looked forward to producing another dynamic virtual festival.

Some of the activities planned for the celebration include a virtual Local Cuisine Showcase, featuring Chef Julius Jackson and local culture bearer Irene Scatliff; and a Cultural “Do It Yourself” segment on costuming and traditional games in partnership with Reichhold Center for the Arts. Historian Kurt Marsh, Jr. will speak on the history of Emancipation Day and St. John’s cultural roots.

The popular “Home Wuk” online series will once again feature the USVI’s DJ Avalanche who will serve up feel-good music from the Virgin Islands and the region.

“People thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of an authentic USVI carnival experience, and our goal is to offer more festival vibes to help Virgin Islanders near and far – as well as prospective visitors – feel connected to one another during the pandemic,” Turnbull said.

There will be a virtual kick-off event on Father’s Day, this Sunday, June 21 at 4 p.m., featuring Cool Session and DJ Kuntry.

Festival sponsors include Caneel Bay, Cruzan Rum, Kismet, Oriental Bank, Reichhold Center for the Arts, Sea Shore Allure, Virgin Islands Lottery, Virgin Islands Port Authority and Viya.

The St. John Celebration traditionally culminates on July 4, combining the excitement of carnival with both the Fourth of July and the spirit of Emancipation. Slaves in the U.S. Virgin Islands were freed on July 3, 1848.

Following the virtual edition of Love City’s annual festivities, plans will begin for staging the annual Crucian Christmas Festival, which is slated for St. Croix between December 4, 2020 and January 6, 2021.

Follow the Division of Festivals on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USVIFestivals), and for more information, contact usvifestivals@usvitourism.vi.

Virtual St John Celebration Schedule
Follow the Division of Festivals on Facebook (www.facebook.com/USVIFestivals), and for more information, contact usvifestivals@usvitourism.vi.

Showers and Thunderstorms East of Trinidad

Showers and Thunderstorms East of Trinidad

Scattered moderate convection presently moving through parts of the #WindwardIslands

Meanwhile, new areas of showers and thunderstorms are building about 150 miles east of #Trinidad eastward for over 130 miles

Elsewhere, scattered clouds with showers in some areas and another layer of #Saharandust are over and or around most of the #LesserAntilles

Gas prices increased – June 18, 2020

gasoline prices
gasoline prices

The General public is hereby informed that, effective, Thursday June 18th, 2020, the
retail prices of petroleum products (Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene and Liquefied
Petroleum Gas, (LPG), commonly known as, Cooking Gas, in the State of Grenada will
be as follows:

Grenada
Products Old Price New Price
Gasoline $11.46/IG $12.53/IG
Diesel $10.59/IG $11.36/IG
Kerosene $4.54/IG $5.44/IG
L.P.G (Cooking Gas): Old Price New Price
20 lbs Cylinder $40.00 / $37.00* $40.00 / $37.00*
100 lbs Cylinder $145.05 $158.90
$1.65/lb $1.65/lb

CARRIACOU
Products Old Price New Price
Gasoline $11.64/IG $12.71/IG
Diesel $10.77/IG $11.54/IG
Kerosene $4.73/IG $5.63/IG

PETIT MARTINIQUE:
Products Old Price New Price
Gasoline $6.14/IG $7.21/IG
Diesel $5.27/IG $6.04/IG
Kerosene $4.73/IG $5.63/IG

CARRIACOU & PETIT MARTINIQUE
L.P.G (Cooking Gas) Old Price New Price
20 lbs Cylinder $11.46/IG $12.53/IG
100 lbs Cylinder $10.59/IG $11.36/IG
Bulk $4.54/IG $5.44/IG

*Petrocaribe’s LPG 20lb Cylinder

The new Retail Prices are computed based on the average FOB costs: that is; (Ex-refinery
prices), for the period, 13th May, 2020 to 11th, June 2020.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to immediately notify the Price
Control/Consumer Affairs Unit in the Ministry of Finance, of any instance of
overpricing at telephone number: 440-1369.

Combat Desertification and Drought 2020

Combat Desertification and Drought 2020

OECS Recognises World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) joins the world in commemorating World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020 under the theme “Food. Feed. Fibre.” Every Year on June 17, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is celebrated – which is an international legally binding agreement on land issues. 

The focus of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020 is particularly relevant to Member States of the OECS, given limited land resources, patterns of land allocation and utilisation, and persistent struggles to realise the ideal of “sustainable production and consumption.“

It highlights the need to re-examine the modes of agricultural production and general consumer behaviour in the region. This is now an opportune time to explore more effective land use planning and management strategies, including the re-adoption of relevant traditional, but advanced practices.This year, living under the shadow of COVID19, Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD reflected on a simple but fundamental land ethic, stating:

“If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us. We need nature, nature does not need us. If we intrude into nature’s wild spaces and degrade the land, we can expect more zoonotic diseases to emerge; we can expect the services land provide us with – healthy food, clean air and water – to disappear…. Each of us holds the power to protect the land for each choice we make in our daily lives. And we can still choose to protect nature. By doing so, we in fact protect our future.”

On this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, the OECS Commission reiterates its commitment to continue working with its Member States towards achieving the critical goal of land degradation neutrality (LDN) as articulated by UNCCD 195 Parties.

The principle of LDN (the area of productive land remains stable or increases within a specified landscape) is implemented through the Commission’s various programmes, actions and projects. These are also aimed at strengthening the economic, social, and environmental resilience of Member States to the impacts of drought and climate change using integrated and participatory approaches.  Some of these approaches include but are not limited to, Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), Sustainable Land Management (SLM), Integrated Watershed Management (IWM), and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

TROPICAL WAVE UPDATE: 7:40 am – June 17, 2020

TROPICAL WAVE UPDATE

Small patches of moderate to strong convection containing lightning are presently around #Tobago, east, and northwest of parts of #Trinidad as conditions associated with a tropical wave crosses the #LesserAntilles

Gusty winds are also noted around some islands mainly over open waters from areas south of Martinique southward to the northern coast of Trinidad with the airport at Vieux-Fort, #StLucia reporting 26 mph from the east and a ship to the west of Bridgetown #Barbados reporting 27 mph within the past hour.

Elsewhere, scattered clouds with showers in some areas are presently moving from east to west over most of the Lesser Antilles with this update

We continue to monitor and will post updates IF necessary

OECS Authority to be held Virtually

69th Meeting of the OECS Authority to be held Virtually.

69th Meeting of the OECS Authority to be held Virtually

The 69th Meeting of the OECS Authority will be held virtually on June 18th 2020 under the incoming Chairmanship of Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit.

WHAT
69th Meeting of the OECS Authority.

WHO
OECS Heads of Government will join the Director General, Commissioners and senior staff of the Commission to discuss, inter alia, COVID-19 responses in Health, Education and Agriculture; the reopening of economies; and other key operational matters.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The media is invited to attend the Opening Ceremony.

The date and time of the Closing Press Briefing will be shared under a separate cover.

WHEN

  • The Opening Ceremony will be streamed live on Thursday, June 18th 2020 from 10:00 AM on the OECS Facebook Page. 

MEDIA CONTACTS 
media@oecs.int

Tahira Carter
+1758-285-6250

New way of doing business in Tourism

new way of doing business in tourism

Grenada preparing for a new way of doing business in tourism

Training and certification are top priorities

The tri-island destination Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is preparing for the gradual reopening of its borders in the coming weeks while creating a new way of doing business in the Tourism industry. As work continues, the main areas of focus are the training of tourism personnel and implementing new health and safety standards. Already training is ongoing in the accomodation, transportation and food and beverage sectors under the guidance of the Ministry of Health.  

The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is a key partner in these activities and the organization held two training sessions for the accommodation sector on the new way of doing business, the latest being on Friday June 5 for accommodation managers, owners and senior staff.

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) are also continuously engaging stakeholders in training. Taxi Drivers were trained on June 3 and sessions were held on Friday June 5 for housekeeping staff, maintenance staff, cleaners, laundry, security, porter services and stakeholders in the food and beverage sector facilitated by Environmental Health Officer Deryck Ramkhelawan. All training covers new health and safety protocols while drilling down to each subsector. The training sessions are conducted via Zoom and are recorded and will be distributed, therefore stakeholders will have 24 hour access to training material.

Meantime, the Maurice Bishop International Airport in Grenada and the Lauriston Airport in Carriacou are preparing for the restart of commercial airport traffic in the coming weeks. A high-level delegation led by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen toured the International Airport to view firsthand its state of readiness for full operations. During the tour, the team viewed the physical distance markers and signage being installed, areas being prepared for additional screening of passengers, the operation of thermal cameras for temperature monitoring and other measures being put in place to allow for the safety of passengers and personnel at the Airport.

While this work is ongoing, the GTA continues to engage travel agents in the source markets through webinars to keep them informed of major updates and what their clients can enjoy when visiting the destination. Additionally, the GTA is preparing to restart domestic tourism by encouraging the accommodation sector to offer specials to locals. Already some stakeholders are offering innovative deals such as the True Blue Bay Resort which offered a special package including a balcony concert.

Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean is committed to building visitor confidence as the destination finetunes health and safety protocols and certification in the tourism industry.

For further information please visit the Government of Grenada webpage at www.covid19.gov.gd or the Ministry of Health Facebook page at Facebook/HealthGrenada.

Sickle Cell Awareness Week – 2020

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day. June 15th to June 21st is National Sickle Cell Awareness Week

  • Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder.
  • “People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that are crescent (or sickle) shaped. This abnormal shape makes it difficult for the cells to travel through the blood vessels. As the sickle cells clog the blood vessel, they can block blood flow to various parts of the body, causing painful episodes (known as sickle cell crises) and raise the risk of infection. In addition, sickle cells die earlier than healthy cells, causing a constant shortage of red blood cells, also known as anemia.”
  • Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are affected by SCD.
  • It is estimated that one in ten Grenadians have Sickle Cell Trait. Trait is not the same as SCD.
  • “People with SCT have both normal red blood cells and some sickle-shaped red blood cells. Most people with SCT do not have any symptoms of sickle cell disease but they can pass on both Trait and SCD to their children.
  • When two people with Trait have a child they have a 25% chance of the child being born with SCD.  That’s a one in four chance, for every pregnancy.
  • A simple blood test will let you know if you have Trait.
  • This allows you to make informed decisions about the care and health of your family.
  • Be wise.  Get tested.
  • For further information consult your health care provider or contact Sickle Cell Association of Grenada (SCAG).  Ph. (473) 458-6399.  Email grenadasc@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page http://facebook.com/SickleCellGrenada

Did you know that the first person in the world to be identified with sickle cell disease was a Grenadian, Walter Clement Noel?  This important discovery was made in the early 1900s while Noel was a dental student in the US. Dr. W. C. Noel is laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery in Sauteurs. We recognise and honour Walter Clement Noel  on June 21st, his birthday.

Cabot Saint Lucia commences employee recruitment

Cabot Saint Lucia

Cabot Saint Lucia continues to move forward despite the global pandemic and volatile economy. 

The company recently announced the appointment of Michael C. Mathius as Financial Controller. Mathius is a Saint Lucian with extensive experience in senior level financial and management roles in the hospitality industry in the USA and the Caribbean.  

 Previously, Mathius held senior financial positions including CFO and General Manager of Harbor Club Hilton and Cotton Bay Resorts in Saint Lucia.  Michael also held the position of Corporate Controller with Ocean Hospitalities, Vacation Break USA and the Related Group in Florida, Equity Hotel Corporation in Arkansas and the Landings Resort in Saint Lucia.

 “We are fortunate to have Michael Mathius on board through the early development stage of the project as we start building our local capabilities for the finance function,” said Ken Purdy, CCO of Cabot. “Michael brings significant and relevant experience in leading financial roles with hospitality businesses and he will be a great asset to our team.”  

 Mathius’s role is currently part-time but will progress into a full-time role as full operation of the business progresses.

The recruitment of the Financial Controller is one of the first of many.  Discussions have already commenced on the hosting of job fairs in the near future to meet with Saint Lucians seeking employment opportunities at Cabot Saint Lucia.  Cabot looks forward to meeting with those interested in joining this exciting project.

Digital Inclusion in the Caribbean

Digital Inclusion in the Caribbean

Digital Inclusion in the Caribbean

Make your voice heard and get a chance to be featured on the World Bank website and on social media! Send pictures, videos, or your thoughts by email or by a tweet to @WBCaribbean on the importance of the Digital Economy in the Eastern Caribbean.

What we are looking for:

  • Share with us why you think that increased access to digital services, technologies, and skills is important for these Eastern Caribbean countries.
  • Feel free to send your thoughts in an email, or you could take a picture where your thoughts are legibly expressed on a printed or handwritten sign. BUT, videos where you have your say are preferred.
  • Videos and photos should be high resolution, and videos shouldn’t be longer than 1 minute. For written submissions, 10-30 words are ideal. Feel free to be creative and bear in mind that there will be an international audience.

Who we are looking for:

  • Contributions from a diverse group of people from Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Tips for Video Submissions:

  • Horizontally filmed (not vertical)
  • Frame includes the head, shoulders and upper torso
  • Find a spot where the light comes from the front, so the face isn’t backlit (no windows in back unless you have a good front light to counter it)
  • Looking into the camera
  • No background noise
  • Look for a neutral background, but one with some personality

Here is a good example:

Digital Inclusion in the Caribbean 1

How to send your submission:

  • Send an email to cwright2@worldbank.org with your content, your name and your country. Videos may be large, consider sending them through a file-sharing programme like WeTransfer or Dropbox.
  • Send your submission by June 15 ( a grace period of two additional days until June 17 has been applied. )

*Note that by contributing to this project, the World Bank may use your content in communication efforts on various channels and that it may be edited to conform to space and other constraints. 

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