 As part of newly instituted measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Government of St. Lucia has announced the scale-down of commercial activity for 10 days. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, International Trade, Investment, Enterprise Development and Consumer Affairs, Sophia Henry, advises of several implications with respect to commercial activity on Ireland. Commercial activity will be scaled down over a 10-day period from Friday, January 22nd, 2021 at 6 p.m. until Monday, February 1st, 2021. During this period, the services which can be rendered or businesses which are allowed to remain open and engage in activity include the following, supermarkets, minimats, small shops, bakeries, doctors' offices, diagnostic and lab services, pharmacies and other related health support services, farming, fishing and other agricultural activities, food supply and preparation services, example restaurants, take-out services only, approved COVID-19 hotels, utility companies, gas stations, petroleum services, financial including banking services, law offices, accounting firms, sanitation, solid waste management services, standalone hardware retail, call centers, broadcasting and media services, manufacturing and export-related services, customs brokerage, courier services, vendors, public transportation, garages, critical public sector projects and other ongoing private sector construction projects. A more comprehensive listing of services allowed will be available on the website www.covid19response.lc and the various government online platforms. The services and businesses listed are to operate under established protocols and are further urged to adopt a blended approach that is a combined physical and virtual component where practicable so as to limit the person-to-person contact. This suggests that where possible staff are allowed to work from home while meetings and other conferences are to be held virtually. Any sector or business not listed should remain closed for the 10-day period. For businesses seeking additional clarification on these matters, kindly contact your commercial membership organizations or the Ministry of Commerce at email mincommerce at govt.lc or contact number 468-4218. You are further reminded that business operations and commercial activities must cease no later than 9 p.m. The Government of St. Lucia fully appreciates the adverse impact that these measures may have on commercial activity on island and on the livelihoods of our citizenry. We do not take this decision lightly, but rather we move forward in the best interests of the health and safety of all our citizens. The objective of these new measures is to limit the movement of people in order to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.