COVID-19 Update as of 20th May, 2021

FROM H.E. THE GOVERNOR AND THE HON. PREMIER

This morning, 20 May, Executive Council met virtually, and received an update from the Permanent Secretary for Health and Chief Medical Officer.

Cases – I am pleased to be able to inform you that as of 1200 today, 20 May, there are only 2 active cases of Covid-19 linked to the cluster of Covid-19 cases first identified on 21 April. There have been no further hospitalisations. That there have been no further positive cases since 10 May is testament to the commitment of our dedicated health teams and the support of everyone across the island in following the required public health measures to stop active cases escalating beyond a cluster. We thank them and you all for playing your part.

Public Health measures – Based on the latest epidemiological situation, Executive Council agreed today that we could continue to step three and also partially implement some elements of step four.

In summary, from tomorrow, Friday 21 May:

• Our borders will re-open to returning residents. We sincerely look forward to welcoming our residents home and reuniting families;
• The remainder of the Anguilla Public Service will also return to work; day care and child-minding facilities may re-open, and required school based assessments for 4th, 5th and 6th form students will be permitted;
• Additionally Courier/Collection services and retail sales for personal care and hygiene products can resume;
• Operating hours for those services permitted to open will be from 5am –7pm;with people expected to be home by 8pm;and
• The number of fully vaccinated persons permitted to gather in any setting will be increased to a maximum of 25 persons subject, to being able to maintain appropriate social distancing requirements of three feet between persons.

From Tuesday 25 May:

• Tourist arrivals will resume, under the same protocols already established; and
• Bubble activities will have the same operating hours of 5am –7pm except certified bubble restaurants, which will be authorised to open until 10pm. Certified bubble taxi drivers will be authorised to operate until 11pm for the sole purpose of returning bubble residents from bubble restaurants to their accommodations.

All of these steps are predicated on the epidemiological situation remaining stable and will remain under review. The Government of Anguilla is actively considering appropriate plans to celebrate Anguilla Day and will provide further guidance shortly.

Vaccination programme – As of yesterday, 19 May, 8,879 individuals have received their first dose, and of those, 4,806 individual have received their second dose. This is a tremendous effort and we are grateful for the support of all the sponsors who have donated to the VAXAXA Challenge, as we seek to ensure Anguilla is protected appropriately against the risk of the Covid-19 virus.

To those of you who are yet to be vaccinated, there is still time to get your first dose. We ask that you seriously consider doing so for the protection of yourself, your loved ones and all residents of Anguilla. We owe a duty of care to each other – the vaccine is our only option for mitigating the risks of the Covid-19 virus without the need for continued restrictive public health measures.

Getting vaccinated will also enable you to participate in greater activities as part of our wider exit strategy, and will ensure your ability to meet likely international travel requirements.

We are pleased to inform you that from next week, replacement photo vaccination cards will be available for you to verify your vaccination status both here and abroad. The Ministry of Health will provide further guidance on the process for collecting your cards.

Thank you and may God continue to bless Anguilla.

END

*Definition of fully vaccinated is three weeks after receiving your second dose