Montserrat Under 24 Hour Curfew Until April 14th, 2020

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Office of the Premier

Release Date

Saturday, March 28, 2020

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The Government of Montserrat today (March 28, 2020) announced more stringent measures to contain and prevent further spread of COVID-19 on Montserrat; as there are currently five confirmed cases on the island. 

The Government of Montserrat made the announcement in a joint live virtual press conference with the Governor, His Excellency Andrew Pearce and members of the local press.    

The 24-hour curfew comes into effect from 6:00p.m. this evening (Saturday March 28, 2020) and ends on April 14 at 12:00a.m.   During this lockdown period, persons must stay at home except for those carrying out functions as an essential service or business provider; seeking medical care; conducting a banking or money transfer transaction; caring for a family member, vulnerable person or pet, engaging in exercise activity, and shopping for necessities (food, fuel and medicine). 

The essential services are:

1. air traffic (including meteorological, telecommunication, security, fire and crash services connected with airports) services;

2. fire, prison, defence force or police services;

3. medical, health, hospital, infirmary or nursing home services;

4. telecommunications or broadcasting services;

5. water, electricity, or sanitation services;

6. immigration, customs or postal services;

7. services connected with sittings of the Legislative Assembly and meetings of Cabinet;

8. services connected with the loading and unloading of ships and with the storage and delivery of goods at, or from a dock, wharf or warehouse operated in connection with the dock or wharf;

9. public services connected with the payment of salaries, pensions and other benefits, in government departments, agencies; statutory bodies and arms-length bodies;

10. services connected with the Judiciary;

11. services connected with essential government functions as determined by the Deputy Governor;

12. airport, seaport, civil aviation or ferry services;

13. a service that is granted permission, by the Minister of Health, to offer an essential service.

Essential businesses allowed to operate are as follows:

  1. a banking business - from 8 am to 12 pm 

  2. a doctor’s office – from 8 am to 6 pm

  3. a grocery store, an agricultural produce business or a pharmacy- which is allowed to open 8 am to 6 pm. BUT only one person from each household is allowed to be out for the purpose of going to the grocery store, pharmacy or market.

  4. a gas station- which is allowed to open 8 am to 6 pm

  5. a bakery- which is allowed to open 8 am to 6 pm

  6. a business connected with fisheries 2 am to 7 pm

  7. as an undertaker – for 24 hours 

  8. a money transfer business, from 8 am to 6 pm.

  9. a business or organisation that is granted permission (by the Minister of Health) to operate.

All non-essential services, organizations and departments must close until April 14, 2020. 

Persons engaging in exercise can do so alone or in a gathering of no more than 4 persons from within one’s household.  Additionally, exercise activities are only permitted from 5:00a.m. to 8:00a.m. or from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m.   

The airport and the seaports are closed, with the following exceptions: 

  • Only Montserratians, are allowed to disembark (arrive) on Montserrat;

  • A person arriving for the purpose of aiding in the treatment, control and suppression of COVID19. 

  • Medical evacuations

  • Courier (postal) services

Recognizing the impact these measures will have on people and the economy, the Premier indicated that the government has presented a financial package to the United Kingdom government to provide support for businesses and residents.  Further details on these will be provided once packages are confirmed.

These new measures are contained in the Public Health (COVID-19 Control and Suppression) (No.2) Order - SRO 22 of 2020.  The full details can be read at the following link:

http://www.gov.ms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SRO-No-22-of-2020-Public-Health-Covid-19-Control-and-Suppression-No.-2-Order-2020-28-3-20-002.pdf

Persons interested in viewing and listening to the joint press conference, can do so on ‘GOM Information Unit Montserrat) on Youtube, or via direct link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO1Qs2IuZic&fbclid=IwAR22TztzIQusSAvHyQ_DjG-ojpMCPPz8WFl6m3RjVxFIq81UACz2RnxrDRE&app=desktop


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