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Since early 2026, South Africa has been experiencing an escalation of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks with cases now experienced across all nine provinces. Urgent steps are being taken by the South African Government to curb the outbreak through mass vaccination, implementing a livestock identification, traceability system, managing movement controls alongside expanding diagnostic capability and awareness campaigns. On 13 February 2026 authorities in South Africa classified the FMD outbreak as a national disaster under the Disaster Management Act 2002.

The St Helena Resilience Forum has discussed a veterinary risk assessment by the Senior Veterinary Officer for the island in light of this situation in South Africa and have supported preliminary proposals to protect St Helena, which are aligned with applying the precautionary principle to reduce the risk of the disease reaching St Helena.

Relying on South Africa’s measures will not minimise the risk to the island’s livestock and St Helena needs to implement its own measures to prevent the introduction of the virus into the island.

The Executive Council has approved the prohibition on the importation of live animals and their germplasm and meat products and dairy products from cloven-hoofed animals originating from South Africa. We are applying the precautionary principle to protect St Helena.

What is being prohibited?

This below prohibition applies only to products (i) originating from, (ii) produced in, or (iii) repackaged in South Africa.

The following imports are prohibited until further notice:

The prohibition comes into effect for imports by sea for all arrivals after voyage V261702 of the MV Karoline (scheduled for 10 March 2026), and for imports by air for all arrivals after 10 March 2026.

The ban does not include tinned meats which are normally treated and sterilised, and UHT (boxed ) milk.

In addition to the prohibition on imports, additional biosecurity measures will be put in place pre-border for passengers travelling to the island and at our seaport and the airport to reduce the risk to St Helena.  At the airport, measures will be implemented to reduce the risk from small meat and dairy product imports as well as passengers’ clothing and footwear that might be contaminated from visits to locations with animals through farm or safari excursions. This will include examination and cleaning of used clothing and footwear as may be necessary.

It is not known how long this ban and implementation of additional biosecurity measures will continue, however, the Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio (ENRP) will monitor the situation and make further announcements as changing news becomes available.

To protect the island, ENRP have been working with the island’s importers to discuss their food orders from South Africa and proposals for a prohibition to reduce the risk of the disease reaching the island.

Inevitably, the ban on the above imports and additional biosecurity measures will result in some inconvenience to importers and the general public. The community is thanked in advance for their cooperation in helping to protect our island.

If you require further information please contact:

Alternatively, all officers can be contacted on telephone 24724.

Further information will be provided.

Note to Editors

FMD is a highly contagious, acute viral disease of cloven hooved animals (including pigs, cattle, sheep and goats) characterised by formation of vesicles and erosions in the mouth, nose, feet and teats. The virus is present in all secretions and excretions from infected animals.  Although FMD carries a low animal death rate for these animals the economic impact on the productivity of recovered animals, especially cattle, is severe, which is why the disease is treated so seriously.

Although humans can get FMD, it is rare and mild and depends on the strain. Humans can carry the virus for two to three days.

#StHelena #FootandMouthDisease

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An Extraordinary Meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 06 March 2026.

The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

CLOSED AGENDA

  1. Declaration of Interest
  2. Business Support Scheme – Airport Closure February 2026 (ExCo Memo 07/2026)
  3. Prohibiting the Importation of live Cloven-Hoofed Animals, Germplasm, Meat and Meat Products and Dairy Products from Cloven-Hoofed Animals Originating from South Africa to Reduce the Risk of Foot and Mouth Disease reaching St Helena (ExCo Memo 08/2026)

NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines.

The following items were considered:

1. Declaration of Interest

    The Chief Minister declared her interest in item 3. as her husband owns a farming business, and, together with his business partner, he is an importer for a wholesale and retail business.

    Minister Thrower was nominated to advise the Governor on item 3.

    2. Business Support Scheme – Airport Closure February 2026 (ExCo Memo 07/2026)

      Executive Council considered and approved the Business Support Scheme for businesses directly affected by the exceptional circumstances caused by the Airport Major Incident of February 2026, which recognises the immediate and significant impacts it has had on businesses reliant on visitor access and associated economic activity.

      The scheme will provide support for businesses directly affected by the airport closure in the form of an interest-free loan and/or SHG pre-purchase of services, subject to eligibility and assessment.

      3. Prohibiting the Importation of live Cloven-Hoofed Animals, Germplasm, Meat and Meat Products and Dairy Products from Cloven-Hoofed Animals Originating from South Africa to Reduce the Risk of Foot and Mouth Disease reaching St Helena (ExCo Memo 08/2026)

      Executive Council approved the prohibition on the importation and landing of live animals and their germplasm, meat and meat products and non-UHT dairy products originating in South Africa from cloven-hoofed animals and will be implemented in line with the prohibition recommended below.

      The Customs (Export and Import Control) Regulations, 1988 be amended through revision of its First Schedule to make provision for the prohibited imports.

      This prohibition will come into force with effect from Saturday 7 March 2026 and applies to—

      (a) imports by sea, arrivals after voyage V261702 of MV Karoline (scheduled for 10 March 2026);

      (b) imports by air, arrivals after 10 March 2026.

      Guidance will be provided to all officials involved in managing the prohibition at all ports of entry.

      It has been reported that sand is being illegally removed from Sandy Bay Beach. Some of this sand has been dumped and abandoned on the roadside between the beach and the Sandy Bay Baptist Chapel, creating a serious hazard for drivers.

      Why this matters

      Please be aware that removing sand can be considered “unauthorised development” under the Land Planning and Development Control Ordinance (2013). This is a serious offense that can lead to fines, imprisonment, or both.

      We kindly ask the public to leave the sand on the beach where it belongs, for the protection of our wildlife and the safety of our drivers.

      Sandy Bay Beach Road

      SHG is aware that people travelling to, from or via the Middle East will be concerned about the ongoing conflict. The situation is changing rapidly. In the first instance you should access the FCDO travel advice website at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for up-to-date information. Stay in close contact with your airline, if you have travel planned, as schedules and routes may change at short notice.

      The wider impact on St Helena will depend on the duration and nature of the conflict and is currently hard to predict. However, we can assure those on island that we secured our next fuel shipment prior to the conflict starting and before an increase in world oil prices. This shipment is due in late March and will fully replenish our supplies.

      Due to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa, which is being treated as a national emergency there, we must restrict the importation of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products. This applies where the product originates from, is produced in, or is repackaged in South Africa. There are some exceptions, such as fully cooked items, tinned meats and UHT milk (subject to conditions). Changes will apply to air imports from 10 March and after the March arrival of the MV Karoline for sea freight.  A separate press release will provide more details.

      Please DO NOT change your buying behaviour as a result of these issues. This adversely affects the supply chain and presents a risk to the most vulnerable in society, who may rely on buying food and fuel in small quantities, when they need it, rather than being able to buy in bulk. Please consider others, as well as yourselves.

      As always, the remoteness which makes our island so unique also presents challenges. These are nothing new and we will continue to work collaboratively to see them through. SHG will keep you updated about any significant changes.

      #StHelena #WorldEvents

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      The public are reminded that the playground sites at Longwood Green and Half Tree Hollow remain active construction areas as part of the ongoing Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Playgrounds Project. Security fencing has been erected around  these areas, and the public are asked to stay outside of these fenced zones and strictly adhere to all site signage. 

      This reminder is necessary as some motorists have been driving through the playground area at Longwood Green, which is not only dangerous but could also result in damage to the equipment and facilities currently being installed.

      These new playground facilities have been made possible through significant planning and investment under the EDIP, and the continued support and cooperation of the community is appreciated as the project progresses towards competition.

      SHG

      06 March 2026

      Please be advised that the following Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio establishments will be closed on the 06 March 2026 from 12:30 to 16:00:

      •The Education Learning Centre

      •St Helena Community College

      •Career Access

      •The Public Library .

      The Public Library will resume normal working hours on Saturday, 07 March 2026.

      SHG

      05 March 2026

      St Helena Government (SHG) is keen to hear from organisations who have an interest in organising this year’s St Helena’s Day celebrations – a chance to celebrate and showcase our island’s community spirit and unique culture.

      As the organising body, you will have the creative freedom to design an authentic St Helenian experience for the community. While no funding is available for setup or promotion, all proceeds raised on the day will be yours to keep, making it an excellent opportunity to support your organisation’s goals and continuing the St Helena’s Day tradition.

      If your organisation would like to take this on, please contact Culture and Sport Champion, Councillor Dennis Leo at dennis.leo@parliament.sh or Charities Champion, Councillor Ronald Coleman at ronald.coleman@parliament.sh by 18 March 2026 to register your interest.

      A meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will take place on Thursday, 05 March 2026, from 13:00 to 14:30. This meeting will be held at the conference room in Customs House, Jamestown, and will be live streamed via the SHG YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sthelenagovernment1638

      The agenda will include a Police and Crime Panel report from the Temporary Director of Police and a question and answer (QA) section from the panel.

      The report summary can be found on the SHG Website: The Royal St Helena Police Service | St Helena Government

      For more information, please contact the Temporary Director of Police, Kevin Weir, by telephone on (00290) 22626 or by email through kevin.weir@sainthelena.gov.sh

      The public are advised that the road between Scotland Roundabout and PEAKS Enterprise will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 March 2026, from 09:00 to 15:00.

      This closure is to allow the Forestry Section, ANRD, to trim trees away from the high voltage lines along this road.

      All emergency vehicles will be granted access throughout the closure period.

      We thank you for your continued cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause.

      The Immigration and Customs office at Liberation House in Ruperts will be closed to the public tomorrow Wednesday 4th March 2026 to accommodate staff training. Normal operations will resume on Thursday 5th March 2026.

      We thank you for your continued cooperation and apologise for any inconvenience this closure may cause.