The Government of Saint Lucia continues to navigate the challenges presented by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is making every effort to ensure that Saint Lucia nationals who are desirous of returning home, can be facilitated during the phased reopening of the island’s borders.  Over the past month, the Government has worked with several local and external agencies in the repatriation of Two Hundred and Forty-Eight (248) cruise ship workers, with several more anticipated to arrive in the weeks ahead. 

The Government’s phased approach in ensuring that all nationals can return home, will initially focus on those nearest and in markets where travel lanes are expected to open soon, notably North America, and will take into account the most vulnerable.  These would include students, individuals who have traveled for medical purposes, and individuals with visas that will expire during the phased opening process.  The Department of External Affairs continues to collaborate closely with all of the relevant Government Agencies on the repatriation effort, including the Ministry of Health which is working assiduously towards ensuring the availability of space in approved quarantine facilities.  Quarantine is mandatory for all arrivals to Saint Lucia.

As we continue to recognize the necessary travel restrictions to safeguard our Country in the fight against COVID19, the following Health and Safety protocols will be observed upon arrival in Saint Lucia.

• Returning nationals must arrive wearing face masks.

• Port Health Authority will spearhead the disembarkation and screening processes of each national.

• Returning nationals will be immediately transported to a government operated quarantine facility where they will be housed for a period of 14 days.

• Each national will be screened daily at the government operated quarantine facility.

• Anyone who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 will be placed in isolation and tested.

The Department of External Affairs continues to encourage all of our Saint Lucia Nationals abroad to continue to reach out to our representative offices.  In North America - our Embassy in Washington, DC and our consulates in New York, Miami and Toronto; in Europe - our Mission in London; in Asia - to our Embassy in Taiwan; and within the region - to our Consulates in Martinique and our Embassy in Cuba. 

The Department of External Affairs and COVID-19 Response Task Force thank all Saint Lucians for their patience and understanding in this challenging situation.  We wish to reassure the public that this Department and the Government of Saint Lucia continue to be committed to the safe return of each and every one of our nationals in the soonest possible time. 

We take this opportunity to remind everyone to continue to adhere to the requisite protocols in place, both here in Saint Lucia and abroad.