MONTSERRAT RECORDS FIRST COVID-19 RECOVERY & TWO NEW CASES
12th April 2020
Montserrat has recorded its first full recovery; while two persons have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has received the results of eight samples recently dispatched to CARPHA Reference Laboratory for testing. The results returned with two (2) of the eight (8) samples, testing positive for COVID-19.
The new positives include one hospitalized individual while the other is in self–isolation at their residence.
Among the six (6) samples testing negative was the second repeat test of one of the islands previously confirmed cases. This means that this individual is Montserrat’s first full recovery from COVID-19.
Therefore, Montserrat has recorded 11 confirmed cases overall—10 confirmed cases on the island, nine of which are active cases, as one has now recovered.
While the recovery of one patient represents a win in the fight against COVID-19, the Ministry noted that the battle is far from over. Residents of Montserrat are therefore advised to remain aware of the symptoms of the disease, and to contact the St. Peter’s Clinic at 491- 5436 or 496-9724 or the Glendon Hospital Casualty Department at 491-2802 or 491-2836 should they experience fever, cough, difficulty breathing or any other ‘flu- like’ symptoms.
The public is also encouraged to continue to practice the highly effective public health measures of hand hygiene, social distancing and cough etiquette, and to strictly adhere to the seven (7) day full lockdown which commences tomorrow Monday April 13 at 12:00a.m. These measures will keep us all safe from COVID-19.
SPECIAL SHOPPING ARRANGEMENTS AHEAD OF SHUTDOWN
10th April 2020
On Saturday April 11 and Sunday April 12, the following arrangements have been made to allow for grocery shopping at the supermarkets:
One member of each household with a surname that begins with a letter in column A of the Schedule (below) may go to a grocery store on the corresponding day listed in column B of the Schedule and at the corresponding time listed in column C of the Schedule.
Hardware stores are also permitted to conduct business on Saturday, 11 April, 2020 from 8am to 6 pm.
No price gouging is allowed to take place. “No person shall declare the sale or offer for sale of a good at an unconscionable price. (2) In this Order “unconscionable price” means an amount that represents a gross disparity between the price of the good charged and the average price of the same good during the thirty days immediately prior to the date of commencement of this Order,” SRO 24 of 2020.
Read the full SRO here:
S R O 24 of 2020 – Public Health (COVID-19 Control and Suppression) (No. 2) (Amendment) Order (
7-DAY COMPLETE SHUTDOWN AMONG NEW GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO CONTAIN COVID-19
9th April 2020
Curfew Extended to April 30th including a complete shutdown for 7 days
April 9, 2020 GIU, Davy Hill Montserrat– The Government of Montserrat will be extending the curfew until Thursday April 30, and within this period the island will be placed under a complete shutdown for 7 days, as part of new measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 on the island.
The full shutdown will take effect from Monday April 13 at 12a.m. until Monday April 20 at 12a.m. Within that period only medical services, pharmacies and morticians (undertakers) will be allowed to operate during this 7-day complete shutdown. Therefore, supermarkets, bakeries, money transfer services and banks will be closed during this period.
To allow persons to purchase essential items ahead of the mandatory 7-day shutdown, on Saturday April 11, 2020 and Sunday April 12, 2020, the island will be placed into four alphabetical groups by last name and persons will be allowed to shop at the supermarkets between 8:00a.m. and 12p.m. and 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. The day and time of when persons are permitted to shop would be based on their alphabetical group. Further information would be provided in relation to this.
Persons who will have difficulties purchasing items ahead of the 7-day shutdown are asked to contact the Social Services Department at 495-3895 or 495-7491 or 491-3895 or 4915307 so that the necessary arrangements can be made to provide assistance
After 12:00a.m. on Monday April 20, 2020, the full lock-down is expected to be lifted (unless the Government decides otherwise), however, the curfew will still continue until Thursday April 30, 2020. During this further curfew period, only some essential services and businesses will be permitted to provide service and the hours of service would also be reduced.
The public is reminded to comply with these measures as the Police will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach. Please also continue to practice social distancing and follow the health advice.
Full details of the shutdown are contained in SRO 25of2020 ‘Public Health (COVID-19 Shelter in Place) Order’ at the following link:
S R O 25 of 2020 – Public Health (Covid-19 Shelter in a Place) Order 2020
MONTSERRAT TO RECEIVE 2.5 MILLION POUNDS FROM THE UK FOR COVID19 RESPONSE
8th April 2020
Additional support anticipated following this initial immediate commitment of 2.5 million pounds
April 8, 2020 GIU, Davy Hill Montserrat– The Government of Montserrat has received written confirmation from the Department for International Development (DFID) that £2.5m will be added to Montserrat’s 2020/21 Financial Aid allocation, to fund the island’s immediate response to COVID-19 following a detailed request and submission by the Ministry of Finance to DFID.
The Government of Montserrat was notified of this on Monday April 6, 2020, in an email correspondence from Deputy Director, Overseas Territories and the Caribbean, DFID- John Gordon, to the Financial Secretary, Hon. Colin Owen.
The Deputy Director indicated that the Government of Montserrat’s proposal will be discussed further by his team over the coming days as they work to agree a specific support package as soon as possible. In the meantime however, Mr. Gordon confirmed “an initial uplift of £2.5m to Montserrat’s 2020/21 Financial Aid allocation, which will be ring-fenced for COVID-19 mitigation measures,” while discussions on the content of a UK support package continues; once agreed a further boost will be provided for Montserrat from the UK Government.
Both the UK Government and the Government of Montserrat will continue to work together to finalise the scale and scope of the UK support package.
The Deputy Director, Overseas Territories and the Caribbean, DFID also reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to do what it can to support Montserrat’s response in this extremely difficult time, as was also indicated by Baroness Sugg.
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon. Joseph E. Farrell expressed his gratitude for this first step of financial assistance and anticipates favourable commitments in the UK support package, which is being finalised. “The Government and people of Montserrat are extremely grateful for this initial release of £2.5m, especially at a time when we are cognizant that the UK and indeed the entire world, is grappling to control and contain this pandemic. Montserrat’s economy has not fully recovered from previous crises and so our limited resources are being stretched considerably, we therefore anticipate favourable news regarding the scope of the UK support package, as we work collectively to ensure that Montserrat remains strong and resilient,” expressed Premier Farrell.
Premier Farrell noted that the team in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, led by the Financial Secretary, Hon. Colin Owen will continue to work closely with the UK Government with the view of ensuring that the response from the UK enables the quick recovery of the economy, support local employment and consumption.
APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN FOR TOURISM SECTOR COVID19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT PACKAGE
8th April 2020
April 8, 2020 GIU, Davy Hill Montserrat– The Government of Montserrat through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MOFEM), is now accepting applications for financial assistance from individuals and businesses in the tourism sector, as part of the fiscal stimulus package announced on Wednesday April 1, in response to COVID-19.
This package, which offers direct financial support to employees in the tourism sector, will be for a period of three (3) months in the first instance, to any eligible businesses that are suffering financial hardship and facing the inevitability of having to lay off workers due to COVID-19.
This programme is targeted at tourism related services most impacted by COVID-19 with special consideration for companies and sole proprietorships, for whom the majority of their income is earned in the following sectors:
• Tourist accommodation providers
• Tour operators, including both land- and marine-based
• Transportation services
• Restaurants
• Other tourism-related businesses
This package will provide a direct cash injection into businesses to allow for the continued payment and employment of full-time workers at a maximum of 80% of their gross salary, with a ceiling of no more than $3200 (80% of $4000) per employee.
This will be based on the previous six months’ salary level. Therefore, if an individual in the tourism sector was paid $3,000 per month for the past six months, that individual would receive $2400 (80% of $3000). Income Tax would still be payable but at the new tax rates.
$3,200 is the maximum amount payable under this scheme to each person, but will depend on the level of salary that person has received in the past six months. It could be less than $3,200.
To apply, individuals must complete the ‘COVID-Related Financial Support: Heavy Impacted Sectors (Tourism)’. The form can be completed and submitted online on google docs at the following link: https://forms.gle/csVAdbzuRwh5Fa1A7, or download and complete the excel version of the form available on the Government website at the following link
. The completed form should be submitted via email to MoFem.Gom@gmail.com and addressed to Colin Owen, Financial Secretary. Applications can ONLY be made using the forms specified above and must be submitted electronically.
The deadline for forms to be submitted is Thursday April 30, 2020.
The following information is required in order to process the application.
• Name of the business
• Name of registered owner
• Tax registration number
• Name and address of each employee you are claiming for, and proof of salary.
• Confirmation of business account number into which the funds should be transferred.
The MOFEM is also informing applicants that their applications will be assessed using existing tax and other records, and owners/employers may be asked for further supporting information to complement their claim.
Owners/employers must also provide a declaration that more than 75% of the business’ income is derived from the profit of a business in an eligible sector. To be clear, this incentive only applies if your major (primary) source of employment income is from the Tourism Sector.
The application will be processed and payment made within ten business days to your business bank account. The bank account details must be provided as no cash payments will be made. Payments will be made directly to the employers’ Bank Account to allow them to continue to make salary payments and keep staff employed during the crisis; as the business is now closed or has ceased to operate due directly to the COVID-19.
The Government of Montserrat formulated this package of support understanding the increasingly difficult financial situation facing many businesses on the island due to the ever growing COVID-19 crisis globally. GoM is aware that businesses and individuals will face difficulty in maintaining operations, especially in areas of tourism, transport, and restaurants.