Fellow Anguillians.
On January 30, 2020, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a public health emergency. Given the spread of this infection to several continents, the WHO on Wednesday, March 11, declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic. Unfortunately, this virus has made it to some of our neighbouring Caribbean islands.
Although there is no confirmed case of the disease in Anguilla, the challenges being faced with the coronavirus will likely have a major economic impact on Anguilla as the neighbouring islands close their borders. We are urging the government to consider some emergency economic measures to help cushion the effects on the people of Anguilla, especially hotel workers, restaurant workers, taxi drivers, ferryboat operators, and travel and tours workers.
We have already heard of widespread cancellations in the hotel and tourism sectors, and the possible closure of some local hotels. This will severely impact the livelihood of our hotel employees, as well as the owners and employees of our airlines, ferryboats, taxis, restaurants and other tourism related businesses.
Hotel and restaurant cancellations and closures will directly affect our fishermen and farmers who will not have a ready market for their catch or produce, and this will be compounded by restricted access to St. Martin and St. Maarten. Economic and other support must be provided to those who fish and farm to sustain them and enhance our food security.
The school closures will also negatively impact parents and caretakers of school-age children who have to stay home from their jobs to take care of their children or find adequate child-care.
Civil Servants, bank employees and employees in other sectors will also be affected as they follow the guidelines to avoid sick persons or stay home if they feel sick.
This period is expected to be a challenging one for all concerned and the people and government of Anguilla must be united in our resolve to go through this together, and to ensure that our fellow citizens are not left behind as a consequence of this pandemic.
It is against this background that the Anguilla Progressive Movement calls on the government of Anguilla to urgently consider measures to include:
Asking the UK Government to provide substantial humanitarian, technical and economic assistance to reduce the devastating impact this disease can have on our people and our island.
Using Social Security Funds to provide temporary benefits to workers who lose their means of income in the short term.
Expanding sick leave benefits.
Working with the banks to have a moratorium on mortgage and other loan payments with zero interest for 3 months.
Suspending rent payments owed to government by businesses.
Instituting a program of food assistance for the next month to low income households.
Providing duty-free concessions or deferring duties on necessary items during this period.
Instituting price control measures and enforcement to prevent price gouging during this crisis.
Suspending public visitation to homes for the elderly for at least the next 14 days.
In anticipation of the outbreak, we are calling on the government to urgently boost the capacity of the medical and health professionals to be able to function during these demanding times, including guaranteeing an adequate supply of Personal Protection Equipment, test kits and other resources so they can operate at an optimal level in the event of a local outbreak.
We are also recommending enhanced screening at the ports of entry to detect persons who are symptomatic or may have been exposed either through contact or travel history.
We applaud the Ministry of Health, the Health Authority of Anguilla and the Governor’s Office for the measures already taken.
The APM stands ready to work closely with the Government in all capacities to ensure that all our people are safe.
We call on all our people to follow official guidelines and recommendations that have been published, as each one must take personal responsibility for their own wellbeing. These include washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol based hand sanitizer, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces frequently and thoroughly, avoid sick people, and do not go to work if you are not feeling well. Call your doctor to see if you need to be seen. Also call the COVID-19 Hotline if you have any questions at 264476SOAP or 2644767627.
The APM as of Monday, March 16, 2020 will suspend all public activities where there will be gatherings of 20 or more persons for 2 weeks.
The leadership of the APM is clear that the safety and health of our people is paramount.
Together, a united Anguilla shall come through this, stronger than ever.
God bless you and may God be merciful and keep Anguilla safe and healthy.
