Citizens and residents returning to St. Kitts and Nevis will now have to pay a US$500 fee to cover their time in quarantine.
Confirmation on the fee was provided by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws at the NEOC media brief Wednesday, where it was revealed that those being quarantined will be at a government facility in Fortlands – the Ocean Terrace Inn.
According to Dr. Laws, all persons returning to the federation will be subjected to the 14-day quarantine and the fee will cover that cost for the duration, “and this cost is to be borne by the incoming passenger”.
Despite disclosing that returning nationals and residents will have to pay up for quarantine, the CMO did not outline how the government is expected to receive the monies from those who are returning to the federation.
However, the CMO revealed that at the end of the quarantine period a sample will be taken and tested by the local laboratory, of which a cost is attached.
“The cost is US$100. Now part of that fee goes to Next Generation Lab for processing the sample. However, the rest covers the cost for the personal protective gear that must be worn by the health professionals to take the sample, and then the sampling requires the use of a swab and a viral transport media. And so the fee covers the entire cost of sampling,” she outlined.
The CMO noted that the incoming travel is responsible for all his or her meals for the duration of the quarantine and laundry.
“Please note your local relatives are welcomed and are encouraged to assist you with your meals and your laundry. Now the Public Health team will monitor you during the 14-day period to ensure that you’re not experiencing any of the COVID-like symptoms,” added Dr. Laws.
Meanwhile, Dr. Laws noted that for those overseas and looking to return to the federation a request must be forwarded to the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority.
“… you must send a letter or an email of application to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SCASPA requesting same with the details of your charter,” Dr. Laws reminded.
Smh Turn a money making thing now