 Welcome to NTN Nightly. I am Jesse Leance. This edition stops stories. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney prepares to lay the estimates of revenue and expenditure amid the challenges of COVID-19. The OECS launches a series of activities celebrating its 40th anniversary and the Ministry of Health and Wellness to begin vaccinating homebound individuals. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service Hon. Alan Chastney will on Tuesday 16 March 2021 present St. Lucia's estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2021-2022. This will follow the opening of the 6th session of the 11th Parliament on Tuesday morning where members of the House of Assembly will meet at 10am and members of the Senate will meet at 10.30am after which both houses will be in joint session to receive the thrown speech from His Excellency, the Governor-General, Sir Emmanuel Neville Snack. The Standing Finance Committee will meet in closed session at 2pm to review the estimates of revenue and expenditure, following which at 4pm the Prime Minister will lay the estimates before the House of Assembly. The Prime Minister says the estimates of revenue and expenditure for the subsequent appropriation bill are being presented at a difficult time. However, government has been able to maneuver the tough environment brought on by COVID-19. Government, he noted, has not defaulted on loans, continues to pay salaries and meet other obligations. Nevertheless, there is tremendous uncertainty about how quickly the economy will recover from the impact of COVID-19. Government has had to give a lot of concessions to small businesses, medium-sized businesses and large businesses to offset the losses. And so we've absorbed those losses by not charging taxes on a lot of issues. So what government's final revenue position is going to be is still very much up in the air. But what we can say is that a continuation of building a new St. Lucia, a continuation of fixing the infrastructure, a continuation of making ourselves competitive. I mean, all this week we were talking about the Headquarters Act, the residency program, expediting our financial sector, the orange economy. We have a tremendous amount of confidence in it. So there is an allocation for events. We're hoping that we can see at least one event come back this budgetary year. But we feel very strong that Carnival will come back strong next year. So there will be an event probably to celebrate something as well as being a launching pad to promote our events for 2022. Prime Minister speaking there during the GIS COVID-19 year in review production. Hon. Shaste emphasized government's determination to build a new St. Lucia as he noted the advancing of several projects including home porting in Viewfort, the National Health Insurance, St. Jude's Hospital and the expansion of the social safety net in providing assistance to the vulnerable. The social net program we're going to be putting in which will be much broader than it has been before. So the continuation of infrastructural building and infrastructural is not just about roads and buildings but it's about institutional strengthening, about policy strengthening. Our police officers, the police headquarters, the continuation of the digital cameras, the CSI unit, the crime scenes investigation unit that we're going to be opening up. We just got new engines for the Marine Police going to the border control. So as I said to you this year really is a continuation of a lot of the things that we've already started and despite COVID is to give solutions the assurance that we have made the physical space available and the human resources available and continue to prioritize those programs. The debate on the estimates of expenditure will begin on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 from 9am. Please note that in keeping with the protocols established by the authorities for the management of the COVID-19 crisis members of the public will not be allowed in the chamber gallery during the sittings. The public can view the live proceedings on the National Television Network Channel 122 that is NTN as well as the government of St. Lucia Facebook and the YouTube platform. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is looking to make good on gains made over the last month in the fight against COVID-19. The national vaccination campaign is in full swing and the curve of infection from the third wave has flattened. There is a renewed focus to avoid another surge following a holiday observance. As of 13th March, 18,488 residents in St. Lucia have received their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar George is elated by the progress made in the journey to herd immunity, however stressed the importance of continued adherence to the protocols. COVID-19 continues to loom over the population following the island's third wave at the start of 2021. Active cases registered at 14th March stood at 203. We still have too many active cases within the community. We still have over 100 active cases within the community and a lot of our risks for introduction are still there. So the vaccine it really provides a light in the tunnel and the end of the tunnel. It is one of the most cost effective public health measures. So we extremely grateful to have it available to the public and they will continue to appeal to the public like Nishabati said to take the vaccine. However, we have received just the first. Most of our persons who have taken the vaccine is only the first dose that they have received so far. So it is important and I will continue to appeal to the public that we continue to maintain the measures that are in place. Dr. George was speaking during the COVID-19 year in review broadcast of the NTN on the weekend. In retrospect, she admits that the post-holiday case of Surgeon January might have been avoided had it been managed differently. When I think back, we should have limited the number of persons who came in or keep everyone within an institutional quarantine because persons coming in during the Christmas season which traditionally we know is a time of festivities where there's a lot of family activity happening, a lot of community activity happening and it did contribute significantly to our third wave which we saw. To ask persons to come in realistically during the Christmas time and to think that they were going to stay home for 14 days, it was not realistic. Lessons for the future. Officials are taking precautions for the next holiday observance. An extended curfew is among restrictions for the upcoming Easter weekend. From 2nd to 5th April, it will run from 7pm to 4am daily. Commissioner of Police Milton Daisy reminds the public. Coming into the Easter weekend, the curfew will be back to 7pm and we are expecting that everyone would observe the protocols and one of the protocols being that there should be no socializing, no beach parties, no river lines, no dances and so on. We love musical meetings. We are not ready for that yet and social events are not approved. Pascal's events are not approved. So we want a level of responsible behavior. The police cannot be everywhere and in every community. So we really want at the level of the community that we make responsible choices for our safety at this point. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 vaccination drive will cater to individuals who are homebound due to age or immobility. Therefore, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will not be administering the vaccine at vaccination sites around the island. Appointments must be made for these individuals at their nearest community wellness center for vaccination at home. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OECS Commission hosted the official launch of the 40th anniversary of the OECS, presenting planned activities to commemorate the June 18, 2021 milestone. More from Herma de Mac. The virtual launch included addresses by the heads of the organization, the unveiling of the theme, onward with integration for progress and sustainability, a logo to commemorate the momentous milestone, and a calendar of activities which inculcates the areas of education, youth, theater and community. Addressing the launch, Prime Minister of Dom Mika and Chairman of the OECS, Hon. Roosevelt Scarrett, highlights some of the achievements of the organization since its inception in 1981. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which for the last 37 years has maintained a fixed and immutable exchange rate with the U.S. Dollar, and is now the strongest and most stable currency in the Caribbean. The freedom of movement of people that allows the citizens of member states to travel without hindrance or restriction to work, to play, to study, to visit friends or to relocate, to follow carnival or to follow a crusade. With those rights came contingent rights that empower our families to relocate with us and enable our children to attend schools and to obtain scholarships. Also speaking at the launch was Dr. Didacus Jules, Director-General of the OECS. He explains the requirements for future success of the organization. Importantly, our heads of government need to maintain a very strong solidarity among themselves, and we've seen this happen. Every time we have faced a crisis, our heads have rallied from the hurricanes to the pandemic. We've seen that solidarity being expressed. Dr. Jules says listening to the needs of the people of member states is critical. It is very important that the OECS communications involve not just sending messages out, but listening to the voices and not just listening in events like this, but also having structured mechanisms for getting feedback, for receiving queries, for soliciting suggestions and recommendations. And right now we have over 40 virtual working groups involving persons in the private sector, civil society, in government ministries, across different portfolios and sectors, engaging in discussions on different aspects of regional integration. Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, ECCB Timothy Antoine, congratulates the OECS on 40 years of exemplary service. At this juncture, the OECS Commission and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank enjoy excellent relations. Our most recent collaboration was in supporting the vaccine rollout in our member countries. So, on behalf of Team ECCB, and on my own behalf, I extend again heartiest congratulations and wish you every success for your next 40 years and beyond. One exciting component of the OECS's 40th anniversary is OECS Gourmet, a Chakrapesh production which will be aired on the 12th and 30th of June on the social media pages of the OECS. From the Government Information Service, Hermione Mark reporting. Still on the regional front, the Caracom Council for Human and Social Development, COSOD, has committed to working with the Caribbean Examinations Council CXC to preserve the integrity and validity of the regional examinations that are scheduled for the period June to July 2021. Tucson-Kind English Francis of Caracom News Time reports. The COSOD met on February 26th and March 1st and reached several agreements on the administration of the 2021 regional examinations, including that the examinations will be held in their original formats. That is the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Cape, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate CSEC, Papers 1 and 2 and 3 for private candidates and for the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence, that is C-C-L-S-C, Papers 1 and 2. Chairman of the COSOD, the Honorable Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education of the Bahamas, told a post-meeting media briefing that after careful analysis and with consideration for the well-being of the students, the COSOD also extended the deadline by which students should signal their intention to defer the sitting of the exams. Candidates now have until the 1st of May to do so. The COSOD expresses its appreciation to the CSEC for its efforts to ensure the smooth transition and matriculation of the region's youth to the world of work and post-secondary or tertiary education. Recognizing the impact of the 19th pandemic on equitable access and the continuity of learning in their deliberations made every effort to advocate for concessions to be provided. Thus, the ministers endorsed the recommendation to provide additional time for in-person teaching and learning to complete the school-based assessment, close teaching gaps and increase the chances of successful outcomes. COSOD agreed that CSEC will share with the Ministries of Education the broad topics for Paper 2 five weeks before the start of the examinations. However, Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the CSEC has cautioned it is important for teachers and students to complete the entire syllabus for their respective examinations. As it relates to the sharing of topics, while CSEC will submit to all Ministries of Education the broad topics to be assessed on Papers 2 five weeks in advance of the administration of the examinations, which means on May 10th that listing of topics will be available to the Ministries of Education. It must be said and indicated all candidates must be reminded that all topics are covered in Paper 1 for all subjects. In addition, there are certain subjects so which the details are not readily specifically available in the syllabus we will make sure that information is provided. Of interest to young people seeking entrance into the University of the West Indies, the UWI University will consider their Year 1 CAPE results. The COSOD agreed to extend the matriculation waiver UWI introduced in 2020 to allow it to consider CAPE candidates for admission based on Year 1 results given that Year 2 results were released after the start of the academic year. Minister Lloyd said the Carbon Primary Exit Assessment is scheduled for the 27th and 28th of May and the results can be expected by the 15th of June. The period for the online training and assessment quality audits for Carbon Vocational Qualification is May 2 August 2021 based on agreements with individual participating territories and Ministries of Education will receive the results in the last week of September. The Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labor on March 13, 2021 commenced the VG Roads Reconstruction Project presenting a multiplicity of benefits to both residents and road users. The scope of works includes complete reconstruction of the road surface with proper drainage and residents access. This project is funded through the Road Improvement and Maintenance Program financed by the Taiwanese government. The project duration is four months' weather permitting. This is NTN Nightly. Up next, we have Primus Hutchinson with the NTN novella que all. 2020 is a year that we do not want to revisit. It was tough, frustrating and scary. From family to friends to co-workers and clients, someone we know has been affected one way or another from this pandemic. Let us take responsibility for ourselves and the lives of those around us. On an island of 182,790 people, one life lost rocks the entire nation. So let us overcome this together. Wear a mask. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Stay home and social distance. Share accurate information. Sanitize your hands frequently. Get registered for your COVID-19 vaccine today. Let us bring our society, economy and health back to normal. Together. Together. Together. Together. Together we can win this war. This message is brought to you by the management and staff of Invest St. Lucia. Welcome back. We now join Primus Hutchinson for the NTN novella que all. Monsieur Uter, Monsieur Madame Département, que n'est-ce que sabidité pour la formation en gouvernement cette LEC GIS et la télévision nationale PIA NTN pour le nouveau accueil, pour le premier Hutchinson. Sezième session des 11 ans du Parlement qui est pour un coup mardi, les 16 en mars 2021. C'est quand même un conseil qui est assamblé à 10 ans. Bon matin. Et après ça, les représentatives, tous les défaçades, c'est qu'à ce parlement, avec les mames Sénétla, qu'il a sablé à 2 ans session ensemble pour recevoir commission et le message, le gouvernement général, cette LEC, c'est Emmanuel Nevel-Snek. Comité des Affaires Finances, qu'il a sablé à 2 ans session par Corrillon, à 10 après-midi. C'est les 16 en mars 2021 pour viser, ESS, BGA, pour 2022. Qu'à y concentrate, qu'à y change en session, les 16 en mars 2021 à 4 après-midi, qu'on ne serait même tous les dufaçades qu'à e tromper en discussion et qu'on n'a pas constater présentation BGA. Comité des Affaires Finances qu'à y présenter au apport, c'est au apport aussi, d'une session. On se rend qu'à y concentrate, c'est pour adopter au apport, finance to submit for the financial year 2021 to sell a total of 4,688,600,900 dollars. In consideration of these protocols that I have established by the authority of Maladi Coroner, I would like to ask the public to give me permission to attend sessions in Galway and Cayepalema as usual. I would like to hold sessions in front of the public as well as the NTN television, as well as the YouTube and Facebook government pages. Speaking of that, I would like to ask the Minister of Finance to give me permission to attend sessions for the year 2021 to sell a total of 4,688,600 dollars to sell a total of 4,688,600 dollars to sell a total of 4,688,600 dollars to sell a total of 5,600,000 dollars to sell a total of 4,688,600 dollars to sell a total of 5,600,000 dollars to sell a total of 4,600,000 dollars to sell a total of 5,600,000. As a person from the US Mercobjects Group, the different sourcesidelight form that we talked destroy the and never be martyred. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public will be allowed to attend the session, which will be held, as we are used to it. You can watch it on NtN TV, on Facebook, on government pages, and on YouTube. This is Denny Nouvela. I'm going to watch the diverse reservation, so we don't have to do anything about it. We have to do business, operation business, all business, we have to close at 8 o'clock. We have to do supermarket, supermarket, restaurant, we have to close at 8 o'clock to make it easier for us to close at 9 o'clock. We have to do it together. After this, we have to do it together. We have to limit the number of people who are in contact, and observe all the protocols, to preserve that a lot. We have to do activities, we have to do everything. For the religious institutions, we have to observe these protocols, and we have to do everything. We have to keep track of every religious issue. We have to do everything. Men and women, we have to do everything. We have to do everything. We have to do everything. activity. So um um supermarket. Minimum petrol, station petrol, government petrol restaurants and cabarets. If you want to edit a sale, we can do that. It's a good idea for us to help each other. We can buy and do it ourselves. The restaurants that we are working on, we need to go through the process, if we are able to observe the protocol, we need to go through the process so that we can observe the protocol and see what we can do with it. I'm very pleased that we are able to work together. We want to give information, We want to continue the call. The call will be delivered and the operation will be completed. We also want to thank you for your time. I would like to thank you for your time. I would like to invite you to join me in the next episode of the show. We will be back with a new episode. We will see you in the next episode. 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. Goodbye.