St Kitts and Nevis Restricts 37th Independence Day Celebrations to Respect COVID-19 Measures

04/09/2020 10:55

LONDON, Sept. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis will modify its Independence Day programming in regard to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19. The twin-island achieved independence from Britain on September 19th, 1983. This year, the nation will celebrate its 37th year of sovereignty. Prime Minister Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris took the difficult decision and disclosed the cancellation of some events, while others will be scaled back or virtually delivered.

Prime Minister Harris, speaking on his weekly television programme on Tuesday night, said the annual Independence Day Ceremonial Parade would be cancelled this year. Due to the country's pro-active containment measures and a robust healthcare system, St Kitts and Nevis has the lowest confirmed cases among CARICOM states, and there are currently no active cases. Zero deaths have also been recorded deaths due to the virus.

"There will be no Independence Parade this year. This is to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus with thousands of participants attending the Independence Parade. This decision was a painful one given the seminal importance of independence at the fulcrum of our sovereign state," Prime Minister Harris said. However, he encouraged citizens "to wear national colours, carry their national flags with them and display their flags on their homes and public buildings […] to mark the day, [and be] mindful to comply with our COVID-19 Regulations."

The islands will reopen their borders for international tourism in the next month. The reopening will allow for the continuation of air and commercial sea traffic carrying international passengers into the Federation's ports. The nation is training over 5,000 tourism industry workers in health and safety protocols in preparation for October.

After a year of its independence, St Kitts and Nevis founded the world's first Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme in 1984. The Programme allows applicants who have passed rigorous due diligence checks to make an economic contribution to the country. In exchange, the applicant, and their family, should they apply jointly, can obtain citizenship for life.

For a limited time under the CBI Programme's Sustainable Growth Fund, a family of up to four can obtain citizenship for US$150,000, instead of US$195,000. This option remains the fastest route to second citizenship. In return, the contribution supports socio-economic development across the islands.

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