 Welcome to NTN Nightly. I am Jassi Léonce. This edition's top story is St Lucia records two new cases of COVID-19. The public is urged to adhere to infection prevention measures. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chassney lobbies the World Bank for better access to finance for small states. And the Ministry of Equity and Social Justice joins forces for the comfort of an elderly denry resident. St Lucia has recorded two new cases of COVID-19 in as many days. Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Case 38 was confirmed. The individual is a 53-year-old female from Grosé-les. On Tuesday evening, 20th October, Case 37 was confirmed. The individual is a 43-year-old male from Grosé-les. During the contact tracing process, he was identified as linked to cases 33 and 34 and was placed in quarantine. He is now isolated for care at the Respiratory Hospital. The latest case, the 53-year-old female of Grosé-les, was also identified during the contact tracing process as linked to cases 33, 34 and 37. She has been in quarantine and is now isolated for care at the Respiratory Hospital. Dr. Sharon Belmar George is the Chief Medical Officer. The new cases for this week have all been identified for the contact tracing process, and that tracing process continues this week. All efforts are being made by the public health team to rapidly respond to contain further spread of cases. We anticipate new cases as we continue the process to identify, test and isolate further contacts. As we proceed with the necessary public health interventions, a serious appeal is made to the public to cooperate with our health officers and to practice daily the behaviors which can protect your health and safety. We remind every individual that 80% of persons who have the virus experience mild symptoms. As such, it is important that we all remain vigilant and respond promptly to any symptoms of concern to avoid further spread of the virus. The Ministry of Health, we take the opportunity to remind the public to adhere to the infection prevention control measures and show that a mask is used always when going out in public. Maintain a safe physical distance from others when out as well. Wash and sanitize your hands often throughout the day. If experiencing flu-like symptoms, seek medical care immediately at the closest respiratory clinic. We also want to remind the business places to ensure that all of the protocols that are in place to keep your patrons healthy are sustained. That was Dr. Sharon Belmar George. Now on the regional front, the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARFA, is preparing to officially launch two important initiatives to protect the region's tourism sector and safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors during the pandemic. Dr. Joyce and John, CARFA's Executive Director, explained that the new tools which will debut on November 5, 2020 are part and parcel of CARFA's Travelers Health Program, which provides an early monitoring and response system to public health issues that impact the tourism sector. The Caribbean Travelers Health Assurance Stamp for Healthier Safer Tourism is a measurable and verifiable recognition award for tourism entities and destinations that are implementing the recommended proactive COVID-19 health monitoring and safety measures. The Caribbean Travelers Health Mobile app is a unique multi-faceted health information repository designed for travelers and health and tourism stakeholders. It provides travel health information by each Caribbean destination. Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service Honourable Alan Chastney is currently taking part in the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund IMF and the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group. The annual meetings held in October bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development and aid effectiveness. Joining Prime Minister Chastney at the meetings is the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Department of Finance Esther Rigaburt, officials of the Department of Finance and the Department of Economic Development. This year's meetings will be held in a virtual format and feature seminars, regional briefings, press conferences and other events focused on the impact of COVID-19 on the global outlook, the pathway to recovery and the developments in the international financial system. And meanwhile, the Governors meeting with the managing directors of both the IMF and the World Bank will be held. Prime Minister Chastney will participate in the virtual round table. The discussion is on CID's access to finance under the theme of identifying solutions for resilient COVID-19 recovery. It is a critical meeting for small states as they face dire economic fallout from the pandemic. Lisa Joseph has a comprehensive look at the contending issues. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney has long been an advocate for better lending policies to be applied to small island developing states by international financial institutions. As the COVID-19 pandemic takes hold of economies worldwide, small states like St. Usha are finding it increasingly difficult to avoid economic collapse. Prime Minister Chastney describes it as war on two fronts, health and economics. According to the World Bank's semi-annual report titled The Costs of Staying Healthy, the economies of the region are suffering from lower foreign demand, increased economic uncertainty, a collapse of tourism and the consequences of months under lockdown to try to contain the spread of the disease. With the pandemic expected to continue for an extended period, healthcare systems should consider reforms to improve effectiveness and reduce the cost born by governments and individuals. In addition, governments will need to find paths back to fiscal consolidation after this necessary period of high spending on economic stimulus and emergency social transfers. Despite this recognition, Caribbean countries who may have been looking toward debt forgiveness as a means of economic relief have been dealt a devastating blow. World Bank chief economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, Martin Rama, says countries in the Caribbean should not count on getting any debt relief and should therefore look seriously at other alternatives of effectively managing and growing their economies. Barbados' prime minister, Hon. Mia Motley, has been lobbying for debt forgiveness for Caribbean countries that are on the brink due to the pandemic. Barbados' debt-to-GDP ratio had been reduced in June this year to 124.7% from 175%, making the country the fourth most indebted nation behind Japan, Greece and Sudan. But Rama contends that many of the Caribbean countries are among the richest in the region. They tended not to fall within the low-income bracket and tended not to have very high debt as other economies do, so it would be more difficult to make a case for debt forgiveness or debt reduction. Prime Minister Shasne disagrees that to use per capita GDP to use debt per GDP is unreasonable because in average it's fine, but in absolute terms, meaning if you multiply that ratio by the population, it's an insignificant amount of money. And we've been arguing to use what we call a vulnerability index, and sadly that vulnerability index was established in 1989 by the Commonwealth Secretariat. So this was really just, I mean, we're certainly not going to take this lying down, but it just tells you in the midst of all of these problems that a statement like that can come out and take anything for granted. And you would think that the evidence speaks for itself, but to change that global architecture, economic architecture is difficult. At the same time, Caribbean countries have been told by the World Bank to contain cost from COVID-19 while awaiting a vaccine. The advice is for countries to spend in the first instance on health programs, on social programs, a critical step for countries is to reopen schools. Looking longer term, the World Bank says infrastructure is a very important part of a country's growth. You know, the managing director, Kristalina, came out early and said government should spend as much as they possibly can and keep the receipts. Then we're told that invest in capital investment projects because getting roads going and construction going helps now augment the social stabilization program. So instead of just literally handing persons income support, it's actually putting them back to work. And so at the end of the day, there's actually some physical investment into the country as well. So it's a win-win situation. And you have the real situation that globally the world has remained shut down. So we're all, most of the small island where the struggle remains building confidence in global travel. St. Lucia's prime minister has been relentless in his lobby for pre-testing as a safe route to rebuild in the travel sector. IATA, American, United, all over the world, people are now embracing that idea and I'm very proud that idea came from St. Lucia, has been embraced by our colleagues in the Caribbean and we've been out there agitating to make that happen. We've been yielding further results with the UK government last week announcing the establishment of a task force to look at the introduction of testing at Heathrow Airport. From the Government Information Service, Lisa Joseph reporting. Youth workers attached to the ministry of youth development and sports have presented their quarterly reports. Ryan O'Brien has the details. Youth workers attached to the ministry of youth development and sports delivered their latest reports to the ministry on Thursday, October 15, 2020 covering the previous quarter of their activities. Director of Youth Mary Wilfred commanded the youth workers for their efforts in the field to date and urged them to continue striving for excellence. At every quarter we do a reporting session so that youth workers can come in to account for the work that they're doing and for us to shape best practices for us to encourage one another for us to learn lessons that we don't have to replicate and so this is a usual meeting for us in the youth department. Also present was permanent secretary in the ministry of youth development and sports Caroline Eugene. I am so much looking forward to hearing from you all the good stuff I know that you are doing because constantly I speak with Miss Mary and she always tells me of all the good work that is being done with every one of you around the island. This morning I join you to listen to what you've done and I'm sure more or less you might highlight some of the challenges that you encounter listening to the challenges might put me and the rest of the team in a better position to see how we can alleviate some of the problems that you encounter as you're in the field. The ministry of youth development and sports made a fundamental shift to provide more in-depth focus on youth work in January 2017 youth work forces the ability to critically evaluate one's own individual situation in relation to others and society by applying a variety of plan practical measures aimed at ensuring the emotional, social, ethical intellectual and physical development of young people in a caring and secure environment. So far 20 youth workers are enrolled in the program from the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports. I'm Ryan O'Brien. The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment through the Department of Human Services has assisted with the construction of a house for an elderly Dennery resident Gilton Joseph contractor Collins Lynch volunteered to build the structure. His company Triple L provided the materials and labour. Projects like that we people need to get involved with because just going around the community have so many people who need that help and I understand what is happening and I'm going to do my best once I can I will. In the past I probably do maybe 15 or 20 of these projects in the last 10 years around the valley Dennery already. I'm hoping I can get the strength and help from God to continue to do this. On behalf of the Ministry of Equity, particularly the Department of Human Services elder care unit we would like to say thank you for doing this beautiful project for Mr Gilton we're very grateful we happy he's comfortable and we're actually saving one older person to be comfortable for the rest of the years. So we appreciate you we appreciate your guys your company and we thank you very much. I would like to say thank you to Mr Lynch for the great work he did because Mr Joseph has been in a deplorable condition and he came on board he assisted us and we are thankful for what he did. Culture Minister Senator Fortuna Belrose says the scaled down Creole Heritage Month celebration this year is in keeping with the true spirit of the tradition as she appealed for adherence to the protocols during the observance the minister says keeping Juniquial celebrations within the family unit is consistent with the heritage promotion details in this report. The pandemic has impacted the way cultures all over the world observe customs that draw mass crowds disconcerting yet necessary postponements and cancellations of traditional events are being made to mitigate COVID-19 transmission risks. Fortunately organizers of Creole Heritage Month here in St. Lucia have found a way to observe the 2020 celebrations in adherence to national protocols by targeting the cornerstone of society the family unit. Juniquial Lacainu is this year's event theme encouraging residents in St. Lucia to celebrate with their relatives. Minister in the Ministry of Culture and Creative Industries Senator Fortuna Belrose says this approach is not only COVID conscious but is fundamental to Creole Heritage promotion. If you know the history of Juniquial when it was initially designed and thought of by the Fokrisud Centre, what they planned was always to reach the point where families embrace this and the true spirit of community came through and I think what we're seeing this year with the advent of COVID and the build-up over the years is a design to make that happen. So this year hopefully we will see lots of families gathering and participating but keeping it within families. Officials are not opposed to a family from multiple households celebrating together once they observe the protocols. Since the island registered an increase in local cases of COVID-19, the protocols have been reviewed. Mass crowd events have been reduced from 500 to 100 persons. I expect families to invite each other to come to their homes but I think we must be mindful of the protocols with respect to the COVID. We encourage people to ensure that they have below 100 persons in their activities. That is the rule. Our police will also be very vigilant on that day. We've been told in terms of ensuring that there are no mass gatherings beyond 100 people. But the focus, like we say, we want you to encourage and to push is that we celebrate within our community, within our families. So it is not unusual for a family to move from souffle to viewfort to dennery to want to celebrate with their family but we want them to keep it within the family and maintain the numbers. Complimenting the family size, the Juniquial celebrations, Creole Heritage Month organizers are now also rolling out a slate of virtual events and activities to promote Creole Heritage in St. Lucia. Up next we have Primus Hutchinson with the NTN Nouvelle Quial. If you are in receipt of an abnormally high bill it is highly possible that you have a leak. That leak may not always be visible. Before you contact Wasco conduct a do-it-yourself test. 1. Record your meter reading. 2. Do not use water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 3. Take another meter reading. If the reading changes you have a leak. Contact a plumber to identify and fix the leak at the earliest. A message brought to you by the Water and Sewage Company Incorporated, Wasco. Welcome back. Time now for the NTN Nouvelle Quial with Primus Hutchinson. Thank you so much Jesse. Thank you Madam Department of University of St. Lucia. For information on the government of St. Lucia G.I.S. and the National Television of the NTN as well as the Nouvelle Quial as well as the Prime Minister Hutchinson. For the Ministry of Finance of St. Lucia we have Alain Chastney. We have participated in a discussion on the national finance agency which is taking place every year. The GoaGueck Bank also has a description. A description which affects as it says every year in October to bring the GoaBank Ministry of Finance Development, Executive Secretary of the Executive Board of the Civil Organization with the academic to discuss various issues that affect the land. Among them is the economic situation to facilitate economic development in order to assist those in need. The Prime Minister has participated in the discussion and the discussion with the IMF to discuss the different solutions of the resilience of Corona. Among the GoaGueck Ministry of Finance Secretary of Finance of St. Braffit, Finance and Economic Development the GoaGueck discussion which is made by visible communication on the internet. The GoaGueck also has a discussion with the IMF to discuss how to address the Corona situation in order to help the development of the international financial system. On October 20th, this year, COVID-19 was confirmed. Individuals from the Secretary of the GoaGueck have found an exercise in order to help the development of the Corona situation in order to help the development of the Corona situation. Both the GoaGueck and the GoaGueck have a discussion with the Ministry of Finance and Finance and Finance The work that is supposed to be done is to keep it in contact with the Corona Resort, so that we can keep it in contact with the TRT-4. Because it also has to be tested for quarantine. The Ministry of Health has opened a response to the sale. We have to continue to do so. It's not possible to get sick because of the disease. We have to say thank you to all the people who have come to buy and to select people who have come to buy and to continue to buy the sale. The Ministry of Health has also taken the opportunity to make the public change, to obey all these protocols, to prevent and control the disease. We have to always serve ourselves and the public, follow these rules that are in place of business, to keep distance from people who buy and sell in place of business. Always wash your hands, sanitize your hands, so that you don't have to go to the doctor immediately. You have to go to the hospital, to take a shower, take a nap, and live. That's the way it is. And then, your company has made a construction. The owner of the house, Mr. Gilton Joseph, who is working in the village, is in a condition that is very important to you. But the Chief of the Triple L Construction Limited, Collins Lynch, and the representative, Edmund Estefan, and the family of the organization called SSDF, and the Department of Human Services, collaborated to make this project a success. According to Mr. Lynch, your activities, which you have always done, have already built up to 15 or 20 projects like this. That's how it is. It's a pleasure to have you here. Mr. Declarecki, it's a pleasure to be able to complete a project like this, and to make an appeal to other people who are capable of this, to follow the same direction as you. Mr. Lynch, it's a pleasure to have you here, who has a very comfortable life, and who has a lot of knowledge, and a lot of knowledge, and a lot of necessities, which is very important to you. And then, Mr. Gilton Joseph, Mrs. Catherine James, who is also working in the village, is very happy to have you here. By the way, this morning, I gave this to the village. I am very happy to be here. I am very happy to be here with my employees. Mr. Lynch, I am very happy to have you here. I am very happy to have you here. By the way, I gave you a lot of help. I really do have lots of work here. I have a lot of friends here. Everything here is very well paid. If there was any help, I would tell them Well that brings us to the end of NTN Nightly. Join us next time at 7pm with a repeat at 7am. 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, but do stay tuned for more NTN programming. Goodbye.