 Welcome to NTN Nightly, I am Genelle Norville. This edition stops stories. The Ministry of Tourism issues operating protocol for transportation operators. More repatriation is underway with 168 nationals to arrive home Friday. And the OECS celebrates 39 years amid unprecedented challenges. The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness concluded a series of consultation meetings with taxi and rideshare operators and have outlined the necessary protocols for operation during the phased opening of the tourism sector, which commence on June 4, 2020. As the destination learns to coexist with COVID-19 and cognizant that there is still a threat of transmission of the virus from regional and international travel, the Ministry of Tourism launched a visual public service announcement on the protocols to be observed by tourism transportation operators. In mitigating the possible spread of COVID-19 into our communities, the following tourism-related health and safety protocols must be observed during the deployment of taxi and rideshare services. Drivers must wear a face mask at all times. The official COVID compliance obtained through the Ministry of Tourism must be displayed when on duty. No shaking of hands. A gentle nod or elbow greet will do. Hand sanitizer should be offered to guests prior to entering the taxi. Electronic methods of payments are encouraged as an alternative to cash transactions. All guests must keep their feet on floor mats and wear a face mask throughout the journey. Drivers should sanitize hands before and after any possible contact. Installing a plexiglass is highly recommended as an added layer of protection. For more information, operators should visit the Ministry of Tourism's website at www.slutourism.govt.lc or call 468-4603 or 468-4628. This information is brought to you by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Department of Health and Wellness. Securing lives. Restoring livelihoods. The sector has welcomed the guidelines. I think that these protocols are very much needed and I applaud the Ministry and the Minister for ensuring that these things will basically be ahead too. And the safety of our drivers are basically what they place most of their priority on. The Ministry of Tourism will be working closely with tourism transportation providers in ensuring that they are equipped to execute their duties in the safest possible manner. Meantime, the Minister for Tourism, Information and Broadcasting, Culture and Creative Industries, Hon. Dominic Fede, has reiterated government's commitment to the tourism industry and its stakeholders. The assurance follows concerns expressed by the St. Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association. Lisa Joseph has that story. In a letter to Prime Minister Hon. Alan Chastney that was reproduced in the press, President of the SLHTA Caroline Trubescois sought an audience with the Prime Minister and other relevant ministers on the reopening of the tourism industry and the associated protocols. According to Trubescois, the Ministry of Tourism failed to consult with the SLHTA and its members on the reopening protocols. Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Fede has however refuted this. A statement that suggests that there's a lack of consultation is absolutely unfortunate and I think it goes against the facts or the chronology of the events that have taken place because in the last two months we've met with tourism related organizations including the SLHTA and various sub-sectors 15 times. We've met even before the tourism industry was shut down in early March with the hotel sector to see exactly where they're at. We've met with the taxi sector, an important sub-sector of the industry. We've met with the board of the SLHTA to unveil our reopening plans. Minister Fede revealed that a nine-member task force commissioned by his ministry has four representatives of the SLHTA including the President Caroline Trubescois and Chief Executive Officer Nurani Aziz. The SLHTA president has suggested that the requirement for visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test result conducted 48 hours before boarding a flight has created a stalemate between the airlines and the destination. Minister Fede says whilst he appreciates the need for hotels to open government must lead the charge to a safe reopening. We are going through a very difficult time. It's a health crisis that the world has never seen and so what we have to do is when we are contemplating opening we've got to do so with the health and safety of the St. Louisian people first in mind. And so I think that we have indicated to hoteliers and in the more official capacity to the SLHTA that we have to ensure that this is done well. Now the protocols which they spoke of I think we discussed it with the aviation sector and it is a real fact that we may have to review those protocols. Government the minister says has been communicating with the airlines to have robust commercial flights into the island in the shortest possible time. However, government will not be strong armed into a situation that would endanger the lives of citizens. It clearly shows that the aviation sector does not find a protesting protocol to be very practical but I think that you have to ensure whatever protocol that replaces that should not be done in a scurry and it should not be done overnight but it has to be done in a clinical manner in a manner that is very calculated and measured because you know Lisa if we got into the business of reopening and we didn't get it right and we open up our borders to the epicenter of the virus now the United States where the numbers instead of decreasing are spiraling and the public health situation seems to be overwhelmed by what is taking place it would mean therefore that the risk is very very grave and you're endangering the workers of the industry you're endangering the taxi drivers you're endangering the entire population when those workers go back to their communities. Minister Faeli says he empathizes with the hoteliers but now is not the time for anyone to push the panic button for a rush to open. Government he added is taking a balanced approach and will soon make an announcement on the revision of the protocols from the Government Information Service. Lisa Joseph reports in Through the ongoing repatriation process the Government of St Lucia will on Friday, June 1920 welcome home 168 St Lucia Nationals who are employees of Norwegian Cruise Line. The Department of Health and Wellness has granted permission for the arrival and disembarkation processes of MS Marina at podcast trees following which the vessel will depart St Lucia. All returning Nationals will be screened by Port Health Personnel and transferred to a Government operated quarantine facility for a period of 14 days. To date, 660 Nationals have been repatriated. This will increase to 784 upon the arrival of the MS Marina on Friday, June 20. Efforts are ongoing to ensure that stranded Nationals in Europe, the Philippines, Dubai, Brazil and Mexico along with others in North America and the Caribbean region can be brought home soon. Nationals are reminded to liaise and register with the nearest Inclusion Embassy and Consulate along with the Office for Diaspora Affairs. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States OECS on Thursday 18th June celebrated OECS Day. The day also marked the 39th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Bastere and the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union. Director-General of the OECS, His Excellency Dr. Dedecas Jules indicated that Member States over the years have faced many challenges but none like the COVID-19 pandemic. The Director-General highlighted that the region's swift, decisive and coherent response to the threat allowed for its proper management. While the pandemic has stalled several initiatives, it has made more apparent why they are necessary. While the revised Treaty of Bastere did not foresee this dynamic, its prescription of an economic union upheld by the pillars of free movement of people, free circulation of goods, services and capital, in fact represents the best solution our current circumstances in a living with COVID world. Our resolve therefore at the Commission is to seek the acceleration of the regional integration agenda, both at the OECS and within CARICOM. Just as COVID has forced on us the use of online modalities of learning in education, so too does it necessitate the fast tracking of all protocols, processes and measures needed to make free trade and free movement of people a seamless reality and a present-day urgency. In that vein, the OECS in consultation with the relevant ministries has produced a full suite of harmonized legislation and regulations to facilitate easier and faster trade, especially in agricultural products in support of its food security agenda. Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and outgoing Chair Hon. Gaston Brown indicated that the region is provided with an opportunity to recommit to accelerating its progress. This is not a time for us to cover. This is not a time for us to buckle. This is a time for us to hold hands tighter and move forward with resolution to embrace the transformational opportunities that the crisis presents. From the emergence of the pandemic, we acted decisively and with a strong degree of cohesion and today we are all better for it. In fact, the OECS today is considered as one of the most successful regions in the world in terms of its success in containing COVID. And this success was not due because of any superior resource endowment. It was primarily as a consequence of our competence and our commitment to protect our people. And that has set me one of the areas of success that we ought to celebrate and it shows how we could literally deal with the most difficult of challenges when we act together. Incoming Chair of the OECS and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Scarrett said COVID-19 has taught many lessons creating the need for urgent action in areas such as food security, healthcare and ICT. Among the many lessons we should have learned from the last few months are the issue of dealing with digital divide in those societies. It has become clear that our people must have connectivity to access government services, financial services, educational services and general information pertaining to their well-being. Lying up for services in this emerging era of social distancing equates to the inefficiency I alluded to earlier that can lead to further inequality. Digital access is fast becoming a right in this new economy. Connectivity shall be the driver of equality in our region. The policy approach to this sector must evolve in considering the new realities and we will do well to deepen our coordination and collaboration on this issue. That was Incoming Chair of the OECS and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Scarrett. The Director of the Pan-American Health Organization Dr. Carisa Etienne has called on countries to work together to strengthen the health response within the territories and across frontiers in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases among migrant and vulnerable populations in border areas. The call comes as the region continues to record increasing cases of COVID-19 and is here Antoine reports. The number of COVID-19 cases in countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are continually increasing. While the majority of COVID-19 infections in the region are reported in countries where economic inequality and population density fuel transmission, data from PAHO shows a concerning trend towards high transmission in border areas. In the Caribbean where most islands have not reported significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases, the Director of the Pan-American Health Organization PAHO, Dr. Carisa Etienne expressed concern about Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Both countries which share an active border continue to report a rise in new cases, particularly Haiti. Most border towns lack robust health infrastructure and service quality and access are often low. Due to limited hospital facilities, they often rely on labs of limited capacity and small clinics that serve communities in vast catchment areas. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuates these vulnerabilities and the increase of transmission in these areas is cause for serious concern and immediate action. To contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect migrants and other vulnerable populations on the border, countries must work together to strengthen the health response within their territories and across frontiers. The Director reaffirmed PAHO's support in addressing the spread of COVID-19 in border areas by establishing a local presence and boosting the capacity of local health authorities. We are also providing a vast array of supplies such as PPEs, medicines, ventilators and other medical equipment to ensure local communities and migrants who become ill because of COVID-19 receive proper care. All of this is part of our mandate and ultimately exactly what we were set up to do. In the Americas, the COVID-19 pandemic is a regional problem, not merely a country problem. Our ability to work together will determine how quickly we contain this deadly virus and put a stop to the suffering and lost causes. The Director assured that PAHO will continue to work closely with member states, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations on the COVID-19 response throughout the region. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. This is NTIA Nightly, up next, Primers Hutchingson with the NTIA Nouvelle of Quayol. Coronavirus? I am worried Gaza is only old people dying from that. Hold up, being young does not mean being safe. Yes, it's true that the elderly are at higher risk but anyone can get the virus. The effect is even worse if you have a chronic condition like hypertension, heart disease, lung disease and diabetes or weakness in your immune system. If you are living with these conditions, be extra careful. Wash your hands with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible. Avoid touching your face. Take steps to boost your immunity through proper nutrition, exercise, rest and take your medication as prescribed. Limit being around people who have through symptoms, even close family members. Our health is in our hands. Together through simple actions, we can stop the spread of coronavirus. This message was brought to you by the Brewer of Health Education of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Welcome back. We join Primers Hutchingson for the NTIA Nouvelle of Quayol. Monsieur Tha Journal, Monsieur Médame, Debate Market and Rescourcibility for Information in Government, this is GIS and National Television, NTIA Nouvelle of Quayol. Presenter, Primers Hutchingson. Commission of Cannabis, this is a group that rescourcibles to establish the ways that marijuana can be legalized in the country. I joined the MAM Cabinet in 2015-2020 to present the MAM Cabinet in the report of the Economic Analysis of the Wiglation of the Marijuana Industry in the country. Commission of Cannabis was established in July 2019 to review and make recommendations on the law and the Wiglation in the Marijuana Service in the country. This is only the idea that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is responsible for commercial and industrial investment. To begin, I will select the chairman of the board of Commission of Cannabis, this is Michael Gordon. This is the Committee of the AMO, the General Law, the University of St. Lucia, the Minister of Commercial Affairs, the Minister of Regional Affairs, the Committee of Marijuana, is considered a one-dollar for a vast amount of raster. The Committee's presentation is very complete, not only for information but also for information. To review the situation presently, the other way is to model regulations, economic assessment, analysis of benefits and economic assessment of productivity. The Ministry of Transpiration and Economic Development, Honourable Kai Joseph, declared that it is difficult for the public to have a vast amount of difficulties for the digital services service at the Public Government Service Department. According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Transpiration and Economic Development called the Ministry of Transpiration and Economic Development to buy the products from the European Union so that the public can command the Commission to understand theASTEA. The Ministry of Transpiration and Economic Development called the Ministry of Transpiration and Economic Development to buy the products from the European Union so that the public can understand theASTEA. Lakaini yonde ti shizu kai juen ki buzume wange. Mesipu sanupo kafa godezodasu sa buabreza. Sanu kafa se nuka test system la. So le system la, komisiena assiste di plibone. Aika vini li kez mwa sa platform laka iuwe. Ek mun kaisa kuma se e se ek nuka iyade. Piter puma lot desimen ki wane itwawai. Ek asuma nye itwawai den nuka i launch whole program like nuka i di tut muna oke. Usa le asu platform la abreza. Ek usa fe businessu lei vini pulisans. Ek di fe wa pa kon nuka desan chak mwa. O kai juen di fe wa pa a se vislayo kao fea. Kai vini asu link ek den mun kaisa. E se pu juen se vislayo buzume from laka iuwe. De aksion imitatement ke kai augmente de gwe cotubition an efo national pwa abat maladi corona. No ko yon asuon sa fe tut sa kai engajé de activite fisique to le ju. Mange plus fuyak l'ijim, boi pli dilu, pun gad di trakas. Mwa se vel ek shagwe pw wizister tat asuon pw filme ek servee alkohol. Sembo l'habitit salar kai indie pw bati yon system akonu. Kai fawasi e kai impuwe habilitenu pwa abat pas sel mwa maladi corona mi usi pli zialot maladi. Divat masate kai konse iu pw chaché e jid e ben visite iuwe nescenta komenu. Ek usi dokte si lani pias shajma amanyo kasate kohu. Ek se ko sa. No ko trwa butu novella, messe madame. Mwa kai messe ootan pw kagad e. Mwa kai baya invitation. Pw juen ne pi mwa ako. Si kos e vel a vi, dengai pw se do alot novel a kwe ola. Pw iso, la selet. Mwa vi e pw iso to. Genel.