Release Date: April 1, 2020
Citizens, residents and friends of Montserrat!
The month of March was not an easy one for the people of this beloved island.
During the month an abrupt ending was brought to the annual St. Patrick’s celebration, as the coronavirus pandemic graced us with its presence.
The country had been preparing even when it was thousands of miles from our shores. But, on March 17th, the inevitable occurred, as we received confirmation that Montserrat recorded its first case of COVID -19.
On March 24th our second case was confirmed and on March 26th three additional cases were confirmed, bringing the total number of cases in Montserrat to five –Five cases are too many in our small population.
Over the past weeks, whenever I addressed you my people of Montserrat, it was to bring you difficult news and updates; today is different. Whereas on previous occasions, I was reporting on new cases of COVID-19, or reporting new measures, today my purpose of addressing you is encourage you through this period and to announce the details of packages of assistance that will be made available by the Government of Montserrat.
As a reminder, within the last two weeks, my government has taken certain steps with the primary intention of mitigating against the spread of COVID 19.
I am aware that these measures have impacted the way you are accustomed to doing things, they have disrupted you schedule and have forced you to be in lockdown for an extended period. But, they are absolutely necessary to protect you, and indeed all of us.
During this period, my government has been working tirelessly in preparing for potential increases in COVID 19 cases, while at the same time working on stimulus packages to assist you the people who are under severe pressure as a result of COVID19 and the subsequent measures that had to be implemented.
But I assure you that support is and will be provided.
• Yesterday (Tuesday March 31) I received confirmation from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that a shipment of medical supplies consisting of Personal Protective Equipment and testing kits, has been shipped and is expected to arrive here shortly, with an additional shipment to follow.
• Secondly, in a telephone conversation with Baroness Sugg yesterday, It was confirmed that government’s request for medical assistance from Cuba through our regional partner the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has received approval from the UK, paving the way for 32 health professionals to come to Montserrat to support our over stretched medical staff, as we work together to fight this dreaded disease. The date for the arrival of Doctors will be announced in the coming days.
• Let me take the opportunity to express my governments gratitude to the staff at the Ministry of Health, doctors, nurses
and all supporting staff who have worked tirelessly under less than ideal situations; as we work to suppress COVID -19.
• Thank you is in order to His Excellency the Governor for his unwavering support as we sought to acquire medical and assistance from the UK.
Now I will address the social and economic assistance being offered.
I am cognizant that the measures taken by my government has created some economic hardship for many businesses and individuals, and as indicated in previous press briefings, my government has presented an economic stimulus package to Department for International Development (DFID) for consideration.
That package is presently being discussed between Montserrat and London and we do expect a favourable response. I am assured of that by the Minister.
You will agree that neither I, nor my colleague ministers have any control on those timelines in London and while we wait for DFID’s approval, the government has taken steps to roll out a package of financial measures, which has been developed to provide financial assistance to businesses and employees as a result of the loss of economic activity.
1. The Tourism sector has seen significant fall as a result of cancellations of hotel and guest house bookings.
2. The Taxi and Tour operators have suffered because of cruise ship cancellations.
3. Some workers are being temporarily put out of work.
4. Promoters of shows and vendors have all suffered, during March.
In this the first phase of our assistance,
• Government will increase the Tax threshold from $15,000 -$20,000 from January 1, 2020.
• Financial assistance will be provided to employees in the Tourism sector, including workers in the hotel, taxi & tour operators, travel agents and bus drivers. This support will be for three months in the first instance.
• Government will provide support benefit in the form of Food packages, and cash support for persons who have been laid off because of the measures which are in place, or who are on sick leave without pay and are unable to benefit from already
• available social or sick leave mechanism. Persons will have to register for this benefit package. Registration details will be announced later.
• Government in conjunction with the Montserrat Red Cross will provide assistance for a grocery delivery service. This will provide assistance for rental of a vehicle, to volunteers and for protective gears for that person who will be delivering. The aim of this package is to provide a service to vulnerable persons and others who may wish to use the service, thus reducing the number of persons who will have to leave their homes.
• We will inject additional monies in the meals on wheels programme, to expand the service for additional persons who may wish to join.
• Food security is of major concern to my government. In this regard, the Minister of Agriculture has submitted a plan of action to boast food production in the short to medium term, and, Cabinet has agreed to support the plan, which is as follows:
1. The Ministry will provide assistance with land preparation.
2. It will provide seeds and planting material to farmers and back yard gardeners.
3. Assistance will be provided for irrigation systems, where necessary, and
4. We will work with Poultry farmers to increase eggs and poultry production.
The above measures will be given in more details by the various ministries, as we continue to cushion the socioeconomic fallout caused by the COVID19.
Be reminded that we are nowhere near the end of this crisis, as a matter of fact we have just begun but be assured that your government will stand by you and together we will get through this, and will return even stronger and better than before.
In closing, I would like to leave some words of encouragement:
I would encourage everyone, placed in isolation or quarantine to stay put. I understand that this sudden change to your normal routine may be difficult to process, but if we all comply then it won’t be long before you will be free to move around again.
While at home spend the time, doing the following:
• Exercising;
• plant something around the yard;
• spend some time playing with the children;
• turn off the Television and help them with some school work;
• Enjoy some good old family stories;
• Laugh, sing and pray together!
Remember, we are not alone, the whole world is in this with us. How we come out of this crisis is dependent on how we adhere to measures which are in place, and I am convinced that we can and will be victorious if only we work together to protect each other.
Continue to practice social distancing;
Do not leave home if you do not have to;
Sanitize and keep your surroundings clean;
Practice good Hygiene;
Do not break the law;
All will be well.
May God continue to watch over all of