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Following yesterday’s update on the MV Helena, we are pleased to confirm that all crew and passengers returned negative results following testing on arrival.
Cargo operations have therefore begun.
#StHelena #MVHelena
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SHG
8 December 2020
At the November meeting of the Highway Authority, the Programme Management Unit gave a presentation on Napoleon Street in relation to the R2 Project which proposes to upgrade Field Road and Side Path Roads and how this will impact on the flow of traffic into Jamestown from Rupert’s Valley. It was intended to generate early discussion on what measures can be put in place to mitigate negative effects of increased traffic in the area. The Committee agreed that there must be a combined approach with a combination of proactive measures being applied. Options to be considered include one-way systems, traffic lights, collaboration with merchants on working hours and enforcement of existing legislation.
At the Environment & Natural Resources Committee meeting, members were asked to endorse the Final Draft Water Resource Strategy for approval by Executive Council. Following Public Consultation, invaluable input was received which has now been incorporated into the final document. Members recognise that water security is a top priority for St Helena and anticipates that the next stage of developing a Water Resource Management Plan will enable the Island to achieve its goals set out in the Islands Climate Change Policy.
The Marine Tourism Policy was brought back to Committee following targeted consultation with stakeholders. The Policy provides an overarching document for the management of St Helena’s marine tourism activities and ensures that expansion of this industry does not negatively impact on these habitats and species and is compatible with the goals and objectives of the Marine Protected Area.
Members were keen to endorse this Policy and acknowledged the concerted effort behind the scenes in developing the framework to protect our marine environment.
#StHelena #ENRC #HighwaysAuthority
SHG
7 December 2020
The MV Helena arrived to St Helena today, Monday 7 December 2020, with 15 crew and four passengers on board.
The Health Directorate has been advised that, prior to departure, the crew came into contact with persons who later tested positive for COVID-19.
The Health Directorate considers this low risk as:
- All persons on board the MV Helena have tested negative prior to departure from Cape Town
- No-one on board has presented with symptoms
As a precautionary measure; all persons on board will be tested again having arrived to St Helena. Only one person is due to disembark to enter quarantine. Permission to disembark will only be given once the passenger has been tested for COVID-19. All normal quarantine processes will then apply and the passenger will only be released from quarantine following a negative COVID-19 test.
There is no risk to goods on board the MV Helena as all cargo have effectively been in quarantine since the departure of the vessel from Cape Town. The cargo processes are conducted on a zero contact basis and have been reviewed and approved by the Health Directorate.
No cargo operations will take place until test results are known.
#StHelena #MVHelena
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SHG
7 December 2020
The following is a Public Announcement from Port Control:
The public is advised that the Jamestown Wharf will be closed to all members of the public on Monday, 7,Tuesday, 8, and Wednesday, 9 December 2020, due to the arrival of the MV Helena and subsequent cargo operations.
Access to the Jamestown Wharf will be strictly prohibited and is limited only to those who have made prior arrangements with Port Control.
The public is also advised that the whole of Lower Rupert’s, including the beach area, will be closed to the public whilst the ship is in port.
SHG
4 December 2020
The draft Immigration Policy 2020 is currently out for public consultation until Friday, 11 December 2020. Members of the public are being invited to provide their views and comments on key points for discussion in the draft Policy.
Each week we will focus on key consultation points. This week we look at Permanent Resident Status and proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for foreign national partners of St Helenians to apply for St Helenian status:
Anyone wishing to make any comment on these or other consultation points in the draft Policy may do so in writing to Executive Assistant, Nicole Plato, at the Castle, Jamestown, or via email: nicole.plato@sainthelena.gov.sh by no later than Friday, 11 December 2020.
The draft Policy is available in hard copy at the Customer Service Centre, Public Library, from the Castle Reception in Jamestown and can also be obtained from Nicole Plato via the above email address or on tel: 22470. An electronic copy is available on the Public Consultation page of the SHG Website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-consultation/
Check out the promo TV channel, listen out for radio interviews and view posters in key locations.
#StHelena #DraftImmigrationPolicy #PublicConsultation
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SHG
3 December 2020
WEEK OF 23 – 30 NOVEMBER 2020
During the week of Monday, 23, to Sunday, 30 November 2020, St Helena Police dealt with a total of 34 reports, resulting in three arrests.
One person was arrested for Theft in relation to an ongoing investigation. They were bailed to return to Police Headquarters.
One person was arrested for breaching bail conditions and had to appear before the Magistrates Court.
One person was arrested for Neglect of a Child. They were bailed with conditions to return to Police Headquarters at a later date.
Other crimes reported last week included an Assault which was dealt with, two minor Road Traffic Collisions, a further Road Traffic Collision with ongoing enquiries into the matter, and a vehicle obstructing the road in Jamestown.
A report of a dog wandering around Jamestown was made, with the dog causing concern and inconvenience to a nearby neighbour. The owner of the dog apologised to the complainant and the matter was resolved amicably.
A report was made for the concern of a vulnerable person. The appropriate agency was contacted to provide support.
The St Helena Fire & Rescue Service was requested to provide assistance to the Medical Team on a matter. This was done without incident.
One alarm activation occurred in Half Tree Hollow, which turned out to be a false alarm.
Police are still proactively carrying out a number of operations including partnering with other agencies on a three day Domestic Abuse campaign. Community engagement continues with the start of the festive season, and summons continue to be served.
Until next week – Stay Safe!
#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #WeeklyReports #AltogetherSafer
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SHG
3 December 2020
With the festive period almost upon us, and weekend leisure plans being made, Port Control would like to remind the public about the rules and safety advice regarding the use of Personal Water Craft’s (PWC):
- All PWC, including jet-skis, water scooters, Sea-Doo jet-skis and speedboats must use an engine safety cut-out switch (kill switch/emergency kill cord) at all times
- Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times by PWC users and by all users being towed by a speedboat or using any water toy
- PWC, speedboat users, or those using any water toy, are not to come within 50 metres of the shoreline (access to the Wharf Steps, Middle Steps and Thompson’s Crane Steps is allowed for pick-up)
- All PWC and speedboats are to go in an anti-clockwise direction in the defined area, and all drivers must be over the age of 16 years
- There is an exclusion zone from the bow to the stern of the Papanui wreck for all PWC and water sports craft
- All towing speedboats must have a minimum of two crew on board (driver plus observer/spotter)
- There will be a ‘No Wake Zone’and a speed limit of 5mph implemented in the access channels in and around the moorings, and around the Wharf Steps at the end of the Wharf
- There will be no towing or use of any water toy at any time within any ‘No Wake Zone’
- No person involved in the above activities must be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- The use of all PWC, water toys, and all towing must be done during daylight hours and is prohibited after dark (dusk to dawn).
For more information, please see the Ports Ordinance, 2016. Alternatively, contact Harbour Master, Steve Kirk, on tel: 22750 or email: steve.kirk@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Adherence to these rules will be monitored by the Harbour Master and anyone seen not complying with these regulations will be dealt with under the Ports Ordinance, Section 8–9 Enforcement of Directions to Vessels in Harbour Waters.
Port Control are also in the process of implementing marker buoys for the demarcation/safety zones.
See maps of James’ Bay and Rupert’s Bay, detailing the different zone areas.
#StHelena #SafeUseOfPWC #PortControl #AltogetherSafer
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SHG
3 December 2020
The Titan Airways Charter Flight arrived to St Helena Airport from London Stansted, via Accra, at 11.25am on Monday, 30 November 2020.
Arrangements for Testing on Arrival
It is now mandatory to be tested for COVID-19 on arrival to St Helena. This is applied to all arrivals apart from:
- Transit passengers who overnight on St Helena in separate quarantine facilities and therefore pose minimal risk;
- Children aged 10 or under. This is because young children travel as part of a family unit. The risk that the family has contracted COVID-19 can be assessed by testing the parents. Young children are only tested on arrival if other members of the family unit they are travelling with tests positive.
The arrivals involved were made aware that even if they tested negative for COVID-19 on arrival, it is still possible to present with symptoms of Coronavirus up to 14 days. Therefore, even if a passenger tests negative for COVID-19 on arrival, they are not released from the legal requirement to quarantine for 14 days. Arrivals are released from quarantine following a negative COVID-19 test on day 14.
Quarantine Arrangements
The crew and transit passengers were transported to the Mantis Hotel where they stayed overnight before departing for Ascension Island on Tuesday, 1 December 2020.
All other arrivals have begun their mandatory 14 day quarantine period at Bradley’s, with the exception of the four journalists who are quarantining at Longwood House, and those who have been allowed to home quarantine by a Proper Officer due to:
- Having a medical condition whereby Bradley’s Camp would not be appropriate accommodation
- Having travelled with children aged 10 years or younger
In two extenuating cases, a family member was approved by a Proper Officer to Home Quarantine with passengers who arrived on the Charter Flight to enable the passengers to receive support deemed necessary on medical and welfare grounds. This was not a political decision, it was made by the Health Directorate on medical grounds having considered medical advice. The Proper Officer used their authority under Regulation 4 (2C) of the Public Health (Prevention of Formidable Diseases) (Coronavirus No. 2) Regulations, 2020, to impose conditions of quarantine on the two passengers in question. The family members were directed to remain in quarantine by the Director of Health, subject to certain conditions, in accordance with Regulation 5 of the Public Health (Prevention of Formidable Diseases) (Coronavirus No. 2) Regulations, 2020, as soon as they came into contact with the passengers. Therefore both the passengers, and the family members, are legally required to quarantine.
All arrivals from Ascension, who had properties pre-approved by a Proper Officer, were also allowed to quarantine at home, or other approved property, when they arrived to the Island.
In total, 38 properties are being used for Home Quarantine – 10 for arrivals from the UK and 28 for arrivals from Ascension Island.
Please look out for the ‘Home Under Quarantine’ notice outside of these properties and respect the privacy of those in Home Quarantine. If you see or suspect that someone has breached quarantine, please call Police Headquarters on tel: 22626 to inform them.
#StHelena #TitanAirways #TestingOnArrival #QuarantineArrangements
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SHG
2 December 2020
HM Customs would like to remind the public that payment of Customs dues for goods being imported can be made in advance of collection.
Customers can make prepayments using either of the following options:
- Obtain your waybill from your consolidator and email your waybill and invoices to junella.moulding@sainthelena.gov.sh or rosemond.fowler@sainthelena.gov.sh. You will receive a reply stating the amount of Customs duty to be paid. Payment can be made at the Customs Office at the Wharf, the Customer Services Centre, or at the Bank of St Helena, prior to collection of goods. If payment is made through the Customer Services Centre or the Bank of St Helena, confirmation of payment must be provided either via the aforementioned email addresses or by tele: 22287
- Obtain your waybill from your consolidator and take your waybill and invoices to the Customs Office at the Wharf so that Customs dues can be calculated and paid at that time.
Whilst the clearance process remains the same (see poster), by utilising this prepayment facility, customers will not be required to queue for cash formalities at the time of collecting goods, thus reducing the time taken to release goods.
SHG
2 December 2020
HM Customs will be open to the public as following during December 2020 and January 2021:
| Day | Service | Cargo Collection Time |
| Wednesday, 2 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Thursday, 3 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Friday, 4 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Saturday, 5 December | Closed | |
| Sunday, 6 December | Closed | |
| Monday, 7 December | MV Helena arrives | Closed |
| Tuesday, 8 December | MV Helena in port | Closed |
| Wednesday, 9 December | MV Helena departs | Closed |
| Thursday, 10 December | Merchants and public | 12 noon – 5pm (Cash Office closed at 4pm) |
| Friday, 11 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 5pm (Cash Office closed at 4pm) |
| Saturday, 12 December | Merchants and public | 9am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Sunday, 13 December | Closed | |
| Monday, 14 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Tuesday, 15 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Wednesday, 16 December | MV Helena arrives (Ascension cargo only) | 8.30am – 6pm (Cash Office closed at 5pm) |
| Thursday, 17 December | MV Helena in port (Ascension and merchant cargo) | 8.30am – 5pm (Cash Office closed at 4pm) |
| Friday, 18 December | MV Helena departs (Ascension and merchant cargo) | 8.30am – 5pm (Cash Office closed at 4pm) |
| Saturday, 19 December | Merchants and public | 9am – 12 noon (Cash Office closed at 12 noon) |
| Sunday, 20 December | Closed | |
| Monday, 21 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Tuesday, 22 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 12 noon (Cash Office closed at 12 noon) |
| Wednesday, 23 December | Merchants and public | 8.30am – 4pm (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
| Thursday, 24 December | Closed | |
| Friday, 25 December | Closed | |
| Saturday, 26 December | Closed | |
| Sunday, 27 December | Closed | |
| Monday, 28 December | Closed | |
| Tuesday, 29 December | Closed | |
| Wednesday, 30 December | Closed | |
| Thursday, 31 December | Closed | |
| Friday, 1 January | Closed | |
| Saturday, 2 January | Closed | |
| Sunday, 3 January | Closed | |
| Monday, 4 January | Normal working hours (8.30am – 4pm) will resume (Cash Office closed at 3pm) |
SHG
2 December 2020