 Coming to you from RGIA Studios, I am Anisia Antoine and this is your midday news brief. Representatives from the private and public sectors attended the briefing on the government's response plans for the coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Sharsney, who chairs the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee, told stakeholders that COVID-19 has forced governments the world over to make tough decisions as the virus tests the capacity of countries to deal with the outbreak. Hon. Sharsney informed that on Monday, March 2nd, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers would be discussing advancing the commissioning date of the Owen King EU Hospital in order to free up Victoria Hospital for use as a respiratory centre for COVID-19. Given that the US, Canada and countries in Latin America have reported cases of coronavirus, Prime Minister Sharsney candidly noted that he cannot say that COVID-19 would not come to St. Lucia's shores, however, the country can prepare for it, and that means creating an environment that would limit the ability of the virus to spread. The Babano constituency has for the last three years engaged its student population in poetry recital competitions at the primary school level. The competition seeks to foster self-expression, self-confidence and a number of other skills which will prepare the students for life. This year, the competition took on new meaning when students at the secondary school level performed. Addressing the gathering was the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Cooperatives, who is also the parliamentary representative for the Babano constituency, Honourable Ezekiel Joseph. He says events like this serves as an opportunity to expose the talent of those within the constituency. Babano primary, shown brightly at Sunday's event, captured in first place and third place. For us, our primary took the second place prize. Last year's competition was won by the Ballata Primary School. The competition formed part of St. Lucia's 41st Independence Celebrations. The lower and upper new development roads in Soufraire will be completely reconstructed and improved beginning Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020. A team from the Department of Infrastructure in collaboration with the district representative Honourable Herod Stanislaus and the contractor engaged residents of Soufraire and Inverend on the project details ahead of commencement of works. The turnout was indicative of the residents' commitment to the development of their town. Honourable Stevenson King expressed gratitude to the residents for their patience and support and the parliamentary representative Honourable Herod Stanislaus for his tireless efforts towards making this project a reality. Honourable Stevenson King noted that in six months, Soufraire will be home to the latest in St. Lucia growing stock of world-class assets. This has been your Midday News Brief. Thank you for watching.