Published 26 April 2020
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
PM Harris commends the Church for leading the way in the fight against COVID-19
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 26, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — The fight against the global coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new mode in the way people do things here in St. Kitts and Nevis and while it has been hard for some people to adjust to the new normal, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris is commending the church community for leading the way.
“This is a new mode of operating and we need to get our people there very quickly,” said Prime Minister Harris on Saturday April 25 when he appeared on WINN FM 98.9’s Inside the News programme, hosted by Mr Clive Bacchus.
“I am patient because these new things are habits which we have to develop but we must do them more quickly,” observed Dr Harris. “Each of us has to remind those who are delinquent – those who are not wearing their masks that this is something now that they have to do, not just for themselves and for their comfort but to save the lives of our people, because that is what it boils down to.”
A caller to the programme said he had observed a lady in Basseterre without a face mask and was not social distancing and when he asked her why she was not doing it, she reportedly answered that she was a child of God and she had faith. Prime Minister Harris noted that faith without reasoning would be problematic and advised that one ought to exercise wisdom for that is what God commands and would want everyone to do.
“In that regard I want to thank the church community, whether of the Christian Council or of the Evangelical Association, because they have been telling their members to abide by the law of the land, and to pray for their leaders so that their leaders will do the right, and follow the law of the land,” said Prime Minister Harris.
Anyone who does not abide with Statutory Rules and Orders No 15 of 2020, Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 6) Regulation 15 that deals with the wearing of face masks in public places, Regulation 17 on hand hygiene protocol, would end up facing Regulation 19 that imposes a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months or both, or to forfeiture of any goods or money in respect of which the offence has been committed.
“We do not want to have to charge people $5,000 – some of them will not have it they will end up in jail anyway, for default,” noted the Honourable Prime Minister. “We are saying to people the mask costs between five and fifteen dollars. That is so much less than having to pay $5,000 for not wearing it. Let good sense prevail. Common sense is key as we fight this battle for which there is yet no vaccine or therapy.”
He appeared on the Inside the News Programme along with the National Disaster Coordinator, and Chair of the COVID-19 National Task Force, Mr Abdias Samuel, and the two were joined in the second half of the programme by Divisional Commander for District One, Superintendent Cromwell Henry.
A lady called into the programme and asked: “With the church – is the pastors them complaining to open the church or just the members?”
In his reply, Prime Minister Harris said that he had not heard any pastor complaining, and added that the church is fully supportive of the government’s efforts and for that he commended the church.
“Maybe some of their members may have other ideas, but the leadership of the church is fully supportive of the government’s effort to restrict congregating in the church,” he said.
The church, he noted, is mindful that a large portion of its membership is made up of senior citizens, persons who are vulnerable and they, according to science, are going to be the most seriously affected.
“I want to say that a number of the churches including the good Catholic Church and the Moravian long even before we put this in legislation had already sent out to their members messages and guidance indicating that they could not continue in the same old way, and requiring them even to do virtual worship in some cases,” said Prime Minister Harris. “So the leadership of the church understands, and they appreciate the importance of this.”
