COVID-19 Update as of June 17th, 2021

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

The Premier and I would like to update you on the current Covid-19 situation as discussed at the Executive Council meeting held earlier today, 17 June 2021.

Thankfully, we continue to have no active cases of Covid-19 on island. Our last positive case linked to the cluster of cases was recorded on 10 May, more than five weeks ago.

However, the threat of Covid-19 remains, we saw from the recent cluster just how quickly the virus can spread, the worrying threat to life it caused, and despite all the resources employed to counteract the spreading of the virus, just how quickly a health crisis could become an economic crisis for Anguilla.

Vaccinations

I am pleased that most residents of Anguilla have made the considered choice to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community in being vaccinated. We now have 9,183 people who have taken a first dose, and 6,013 who have taken their second dose but we are yet to achieve herd immunity. Despite our pleas, the efforts of the VAXAXA challenge and the personal sacrifices of the health team, the number of people taking their first vaccine dose has significantly tailed off in recent weeks. We still need nearly another 1,500 persons to get vaccinated to secure herd immunity.

Today is the date by when we asked you to get your first dose. This is to allow the minimum amount of time required between the administration of the two doses for the vaccine to be effective, before the doses we have on the island expire on 31 July.

Proof of vaccination is also increasingly becoming a requirement of visitor entry to a number of countries and destinations. Proof of vaccination will make that travel easier It is not too late to take your first dose. Please go today to the Ronald Webster Park drive-thru, no appointments are necessary – just turn up with a form of photo ID.

Who should get vaccinated?

All eligible adults should get vaccinated. Of particular importance, are those of you who are in regular, day-to-day, contact with the general public and/or vulnerable people such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. As we have stated previously, individuals who fall into this category include hotel workers, taxi drivers, restaurant servers, hospital and care workers, entertainers, bank tellers, cashiers, store clerks, parents, educators, police, immigration, and customs officials.

I know that the idea of mandatory vaccination is unpopular, and I understand the reasons why. I have considered the position carefully with my Cabinet. Given the encouraging numbers who have taken their first dose, my Government has agreed not to proceed at this stage with proposals for a sectoral approach to mandatory vaccinations. But this decision will be kept under review. If the epidemiological situation changes, if we have another cluster of cases, or if a variant of concern is present on the island, then we may, for your own protection and that of all residents have to revisit this position.

Executive Council has however agreed that all work permits will only be approved on the condition that the holder is fully vaccinated. This will apply to new applications and renewals. We have also agreed that any person eligible for vaccination and representing Anguilla overseas at a national level will be required to be vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will also be required for entry into festivals within Anguilla.

The Government is also considering with the health team whether there is potential to safely reinstate ferry services to other destinations for day trips for fully vaccinated persons only.

Covid-19 is a devastating virus, I have seen first-hand the horrific effects it has to individual health, how it has completely stretched health services to their limits and how it has created significant financial distress.

As an island, with limited health resources, we remain vulnerable but it is not sustainable, to operate within a restricted environment – vaccination is our best option for managing the risks of Covid-19 and for preventing such suffering and devastation here in Anguilla.

Governments across the world are working desperately to secure access to sufficient numbers of vaccines in order to protect their population. We need to recognise the fortunate position we are in not having this worry – we have on island sufficient vaccines for all eligible adults. We urge all remaining eligible adults to consider this position and the wider impact of your decision. Please help protect yourself, your loved ones, our community, and our country – get vaccinated.

Thank you, may God bless you and may God continue to bless Anguilla.

END

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