 Welcome to Indian Nightly, I am Jesse Layance. This edition stops stories, Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney heaps praise on the St. Lucian public for incredible conduct on the weekend. A veteran Caribbean diplomat laments the international expectation of debt payments by islands amid COVID-19, and a major player in the sport of basketball strategizes on improving skills on island. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney has heaped praise on the St. Lucian public for what he deemed an incredible job in adhering to the COVID-19 protocols during a time traditionally known for island-wide celebration. Hon. Chastney says he knows it was extremely difficult for nationals not to enjoy juniquial on the weekend in the grand fashion of years past. Canceling the cultural festivity the Prime Minister noted resulted in major revenue losses as well as dampened spirits due to restrictions that impeded socialization. Hon. Alan Chastney, President of the United States of America. Knowing that we didn't have carnival and this was really an opportunity for us to have gotten out, it's sad that we found ourselves in this situation and I don't even want to add up how much money was lost this weekend and how many persons were looking forward to selling their goods, but more importantly the socialization that was going to take place, but I really want to thank all St. Lucian's for adhering to the protocols, not making it overly difficult for the policemen and not putting unnecessary pressure on the authorities. St. Lucian's were urged not to compromise their safety despite the temptation to gather and celebrate in this annual festival. The plea was particularly strong given that the island has recorded a total of 18 new cases in the span of one week. The new cases that we're getting, the good news is that most of these cases are already in quarantine so it tells us that the contact tracing and the team at the contact tracing have been doing an outstanding job and we're ahead of it if I can say that. Ahead in that we understand who's been affected and putting the persons at the highest risk into a quarantine situation. Sadly, more than likely numbers are going to continue to rise. The fact that we have a hospital facility dedicated as a respiratory center is good news. The fact that we have over 85 doctors and nurses from Cuba here to augment our doctors and nurses is good news. Prime Minister Shasne encouraged the St. Lucian's to continue to wear their face masks, social distance and sanitize their hands in order to stay safe from COVID-19. We can coexist, we can keep our doors open, we can be open for business. We can make sure that people who'd lost their jobs, they can get their jobs back. And this idea that it's either health or economics is not a fair comparison anymore. We need both. Clearly we're always going to be more sensitive to the health side because we can't bring somebody's life back. But once we continue to do what we did this weekend, St. Lucia will be fine. And I amongst I'm sure a lot of other people are very proud to see how St. Lucia's acted this weekend and how strong they're taking the recommendations of the CMO. We've got a great CMO, we have a great Ministry of Health, the contact tracers, great front liners all throughout St. Lucia, but more important than we've got great citizens and we can win this battle together. We can do this and your government is fully behind you to try to do everything that we can to ensure that we see a recovery to our economy and that we continue to keep people very safe in our countries. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney and meantime Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George is advising everyone to limit social movements as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The island has confirmed 54 cases with 27 active cases in isolation for care. The CMO says the rapid rise has resource implications. During this past week, Sunday October 18th to Saturday October 24th, a total of 18 new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in country. This is a significant number in a short period, especially when we consider the requirements to respond to these cases to ensure we continue further spread. This includes human resources for contact tracing, testing and care of patients. There is also increasing demand on supplies for testing, PPE and other related supplies. Though we continue to respond promptly and effectively, if we do not make a continuous effort to follow the recommended infection prevention and control guidelines, these pressures on healthcare resources shall only continue and will even increase with time. As such, the Ministry of Health will reiterate the importance of sticking to the behaviors which reduce the spread of the virus from one person to another. We make a strong appeal to everyone that if you are experiencing respiratory symptoms which include fever, cough and soft, it would promptly go to your closest respiratory clinic for care. As long as the novel coronavirus lives among any community of mankind, all mankind remains endangered. That is according to veteran Caribbean diplomat Sir Ronald Saunders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States, OAS. Sir Ronald made this statement as he addressed the 50th General Assembly of the OAS. Sir Ronald noted that even the most powerful countries have been unable to stop the spread of the virus. Poor and vulnerable countries, he added, are already the first to suffer from the economic impact of COVID-19. The countries of the Caribbean from which no pandemic has ever originated and from which no international financial crisis has ever begun are among the most hardest hits. Many in many of our countries, a decade or more of economic growth and social development has been set back in seven short months and they cannot now attain the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. Our employment has jumped dramatically in some cases to 50%. Countries have closed, some never to open their doors again, savings have depleted, poverty has increased, malnutrition has returned and so too has hunger and an increase in crime. Sir Ronald observed that there are no trends identifiable today, no programs or policies that offer hope of narrowing the gap between rich and poor, particularly as Caribbean nations are facing debt burdens. And governments of small countries, unable to print money as governments in powerful countries do, cannot support the private sector and they find it difficult to meet their own obligations. The international financial institutions constrained by rules set by those who make their policies deny concessional financing to small and vulnerable states on the basis of flawed criteria. The Paris Club demands payment of age-old debts, knowing fully well that states crippled by the effects of the pandemic are unable to pay. Yet, Mr. President, none will listen to the pleas for debt rescheduling and debt forgiveness, without which these nations could become basket cases with all the consequences that social and political instability will unleash. The ambassador commended the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization for their commitment to the region and interventions in containing COVID-19 in the region. The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports is collaborating with a major player in the sport of basketball to heighten and sharpen skills here on Ireland. We have Ryan O'Brien with a report. An initiative to develop the sport of basketball in St. Lucia came up for discussion here recently as the Vice President of Organization, Culture and Inclusion of the Toronto Raptors. John Wiggins met with a number of officials to look into the requirements that will be needed to allow this to happen. Wiggins, whose parents were born and raised in Grosally, said the discussion was a follow-up on an initiative started five years ago to see how young enthusiasts can get more interested in the sport and to bring more basketball exposure, teaching and development to the island. Crucial to achieving this is the aspect of infrastructure and that includes the possibility of covering the VT Malibu Sports Complex and to bring it up to NBA standards. The meeting was to find out where we are with laying the groundwork and how we figure out a way forward, how people are going to come together, both the Ministry, the Federation, myself, how we can set a foundation for the NBA to come in here and bring programming and enhance the infrastructure of basketball. It's a great sport. The kids love it here. And St. Lucia, the West Indies and the Caribbean are being targeted as the next hub for basketball to grow throughout the world, especially by the NBA. So this was a follow-up to see where we're at and how do we move forward. Kofi Dovo is the director of Tropical Studio Designs Architects. He was present for the discussions, which took place at the conference room at the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports. It's very possible to cover the VT Malibu Sports Complex. The option that has been explored right now is to use a steel frame, almost like a factory shed to make it simpler. The alternative of using the steel frame, I mean, with a thrust covering, you should be able to gain large spans, so it's suitable for sports arena. What we are now is that based on what the vice president, Mr. John Wiggins, discussed in the meeting is that that may not necessarily meet the standards of NBA. So now what we want to do is revisit and look at how we can create a more desirable setting that will be okay with NBA. And it's a process that probably cannot be done in one go, so it has to be a phase approach. So what we're going to do is go back to the drain board and look at how we can phase that and make it, you know, possible. Dovo said all things being equal, the covering of the courts can be completed within eight to twelve months from commencement of works. From the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, I'm Ryan O'Brien. St. Lucia bids farewell to outgoing Canadian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Marie Legault. His Excellencies, Her Emmanuel Neville Snack, hosted a ceremony for the diplomat at Government House. A send-off as heartwarming as St. Lucia-Canada relations, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps gathered to honour departing High Commissioner, Her Excellency Marie Legault, for her transformative endeavours in St. Lucia on Canada's behalf. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney expressed gratitude to the departing diplomat for her humane approach to the job. Invaluable input goes into Canada's policy coming from Europe. And I think that's the part that we're all going to miss is the compassionate side that you've had and your willingness to look past just being a diplomat, but being a humanitarian. So on that note, I want to say thank you. You're going to be missed, but hopefully it's au revoir, but not goodbye. Honourable Sarah Floodboeber, Minister with Responsibility for External Affairs, highlighted notable initiatives during her Excellency Legault's tenure. These include the establishment of a Canadian Visa Application Centre on Island, the school computer programme, the first house project for at-risk women and children, and support amid the pandemic. We were really heartened when we were trying to get quite a number of our St. Lucia citizens who were stranded in Canada to COVID, and you gave up space that was reserved for Canadians on the plane so St. Lucia could come. The External Affairs Minister encouraged the outgoing ambassador to continue advocating for St. Lucia. There is some unfinished business I would, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention here, and that is the visa-free access that we used to enjoy, where St. Lucia's were able to visit Canada without having to apply for a visa. As friends, we hate to ask for too much, but when we really have a true and solid friendship, we believe we can ask for the things we need, and we are sincerely hoping that you're being closer to capital, perhaps closer to immigration Canada, perhaps where these decisions are made, that you will continue to remember and advocate for St. Lucia. High Commissioner Legault reflected on some of the highlights of her time representing Canada in St. Lucia and reaffirmed Canada's commitment to the region. We've worked on climate change and the crisis and the resilience, and you mentioned Prime Minister Sid's issue, which is still ongoing, there's a lot of issues into that, and we will continue to work on that. It's by far not solved, concessional financing, and you just mentioned the financing for development that Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Holness are working on, and we will continue to completely be engaged on that. Thank you for your support and the UNSC campaign, the United Nations Security Council Seed campaign, we really appreciated that. A token of appreciation was presented to her Excellency Legault on behalf of the government and people of St. Lucia. For the Government Information Service, I am Jesse Leance reporting. Up next, we have Primus Hutchinson with the NTN Nouvelle Aquile. COVID-19 is a new pandemic disease as declared by the World Health Organization. It is transmitted directly by respiratory droplets when an affected person coughs or sneezes, or indirectly through rubbing the face with contaminated hands. There is still no specific treatment or vaccine against COVID-19, and as such, the farming community should adhere to some special recommendations. Limit the number of crew members to only essential persons. Practice frequent hand washing and cleaning of all boat surfaces. Limit contact with the public, keeping a safe distance between each person. Limit unnecessary conversation with customers and pairs during the sale of fish. Wash hands frequently with soap and run in water, or use 60-95% alcohol-based hands sanitizer until water and soap are available. Sneeze and cough in a flexed elbow, or into a tissue, immediately discarding the used tissue into a bin, and wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer until soap and water is available, and avoid close contact with persons having respiratory symptoms. More than ever before, your important role as gatekeepers of St. Lucia's nutritional health and food security should be taken seriously. When you exercise these precautions, you not only safeguard your health, but also continue to allow all St. Lucia's access to freshly caught fish and other seafood. Remember, it is our responsibility to ensure our nation eats fresh, St. Lucia's best. Welcome back now for the NTN-Nouvelle-Aquiol with Primus Hutchinson. I would like to thank Dr. Gail Rigbott for his contribution to protect the family and the people of St. Lucia. I would also like to thank Dr. Gail Rigbott for his contribution to protect the family and the people of St. Lucia. I would like to thank the faculty of St. Lucia and the family for their contribution to protect the land, and the people of St. Lucia. I would also like to thank the faculty of St. Lucia for their contribution to protect the land, and the people of St. Lucia. We need to change these things to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from happening in our country and our nation. I would also like to ask the public to respect and obey the social distance that we have established to protect our people. If we don't have to speak to our children, we need to respect the social distance that we have established to protect our people. We need to change these things to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from happening in our country. We need to change these things to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from happening in our country and our nation. I would also like to ask the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Claudia Simonual, to call on the city to cooperate with the government, to observe young people and to think about the activities that the government has to do in our country. This is what we call World Statistics Day, which is a country where black people observe all the cases in October. I would also like to ask the people who are working in this country, the young people who are working in this country, to consider the health and health situations in our country. I would also like to ask Mr. Simonual, to call on the city to cooperate with the government, to consider the activities that the government has to do in our country. This is an important department to help the discussion of the public movement. We have COVID-19 that has affected the country. We have to listen to the situation and the discussion on the TV and on the radio. This is the only position that we have done, but this is really going to encourage the public to serve the official information, the information that is reliable, that is solid, this is the information that has been brought into place in a way that is acceptable internationally. This is a really common day that we can observe world statistics day, global statistics that are important to not just talk about what situation we are in, but to ensure that we have information that is well and solid in a scientific way, so that there is no discrepancy about the opposition that is solid. Thank you, Madam. This was the end of the three new news. I thank you so much for your time. I have an invitation, so that I can continue to observe the world and to expose the news to the public. I thank you, Jesse. Merci, appeal primers. Well, that brings us to the end of the NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us anytime on the St. Lucia Government Facebook page or our YouTube channel. I'm Jesse Leon, signing off. For now, do stay tuned for more NTN programming.