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Executive Council this week discussed St Helena’s COVID-19 preventative measures.  

Ministers decided that the Public Health (Prevention of Formidable Diseases) Coronavirus No.2 Regulations 2020 should be extended until Thursday, 31 March 2022.

Executive Council will review St Helena’s phased, risk-based approach to COVID-19, to identify appropriate local and international trigger points for each phase.  Any decisions which change the entry and quarantine arrangements beyond this date will be communicated in a timely manner to the public.

At present the strategic direction for St Helena remains the same, whereby it is paramount for St Helena Government to minimise the risk of COVID-19 entering the community, therefore the entry and quarantine arrangements remain unchanged.

During the discussions Ministers agreed for a minor amendment to be made to the Public Health (Prevention of Formidable Diseases) Coronavirus No. 2 Regulations 2020; this will allow persons in quarantine to leave the quarantine property immediately after receiving their letter of confirmation that their final test for COVID-19 has given a negative result. Until persons receive their letter stating they have a negative result and can be released from quarantine they must remain at their quarantine accommodation. Currently, people in quarantine are required to remain within their properties until 7pm on the day of receiving their confirmation letters. 

Ministers recognise the community’s concerns around the new variant Omicron and would like to reassure the public that the situation is being regularly monitored with input and advice from the UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England). Furthermore, it is imperative that our Island’s response plans are continually reviewed so that we remain committed to preventing community spread.

#StHelena #ExCo #COVID-19

https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

SHG
10 December 2021

Legislative Council will go into recess from Monday, 20 December 2021, to Monday, 3 January 2022. Normal business will resume from Tuesday, 4 January.

During recess Legislative and Executive Council will not meet to conduct business unless of an urgent nature. 

Constituents needing to discuss urgent matters can contact the Council representative in their district during this time.

Elected Members would like to thank all constituents in advance for their cooperation and take this opportunity to wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Legislative Council

10 December 2021

Today, Friday 10 December 2021, is Human Rights Day – the day (in 1948) the United Nations General Assembly adopted the ‘Universal Declaration of Human Rights’: a document proclaiming the rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

In St Helena’s Constitution there is a chapter that sets out important Human Rights on St Helena, other Rights are found in our Laws. There are 16 Rights in St Helena’s Constitution.

The St Helena Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent, statutory organisation which was officially opened on 10 December 2015. Its mandate is to promote and protect the human rights of everyone on St Helena.

CEO of the EHRC, Catherine Turner, commented:

“As human beings we all have the right to dignity, protection from discrimination and equality before the law. We have the right to self-determination, privacy, to freely access information, discuss ideas and practice our beliefs; to be tried fairly and treated with humanity if detained; and to participate in the formation of our government.

“Most of these rights are protected by our Constitution and should be open to us all no matter what our social or economic background, living circumstances, age, gender, disability or race. International Human Rights Day is a day to increase awareness of these rights which we should be able to enjoy all year round.”

For more information about Human Rights on St Helena, contact the EHRC Office in the PWD Yard, The Castle, Jamestown on tel: 22133 or via email: info@humanrightsthelena.org, or visit their website: www.sthelenaehrc.org. 

#StHelena #UnitedNations #HumanRightsDay

https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/

SHG

10 December 2021

HE Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook officially opened the new Meteorological (Met) Operations Building, Bottom Woods, on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, with a special ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony.

In attendance were Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio, Christine Scipio, a representative from the St Helena Girlguides Association, members of the Met team, and St Helena Government (SHG) Officials, including members of the Technical Services Team.

During the Ceremony, HE Governor delivered a speech and said:

“This Met Office Station has been located here since 1976 after moving from its old location at Hutt’s Gate. Throughout this time, it has steadfastly collected global climatic data from observations and the launches of balloons and fed the information back to the UK.

“In 2011, an MoU between SHG and the Met Office updated and redefined the role of this station. Importantly, this was re-signed in 2021 and I would like to draw out two features from the new MoU. First, it paved the way for funds to become available to construct this new building and second, it reaffirmed the long term commitment of the Met Office to St Helena for all being well the next 40 or more years.”

Environmental Risk Manager, Mike Durnford, (who line manages the Met Station) also delivered a speech [annexed] and acknowledged key people who significantly contributed to the new Meteorological Operations Building Project – HE Governor, SHG Technical Services Team, Ambledale Workshop Ltd, and Met Station Manager, Lori Bennett.

Governor Rushbrook then declared the Operations Building open with the cutting of the ribbon.

Following the Ceremony, invited guests were given a tour of the Meteorological Operations Building by Met Station Manager, Lori Bennett, and were shown the systems operated at the Station.

Invited guests then viewed the weather balloon being launched at 11.15am and Lori explained the process and the importance of how the weather balloon data filters into the global network of climate observations and plays a key part for climate studies whilst being beneficial to Aeronautical Forecasting provided at St Helena Airport.

Governor Rushbrook concluded:

“A special mention too goes to Marcos Henry, the Technical Manager at this Station. He has racked up continuous long service here since 1976. As a school leaver, he found his vocation at Bottom Woods. We recognise and pay tribute to his 45 years, and counting, of service. A remarkable achievement for him personally and the work of this Station.

“I want to also give special thanks and mention to Karen McCourt, a Manager in International Relations at the Met Office in the UK. She negotiated for the funds to build this new Station, project managed its completion from the UK end and agreed to donate the ‘Portakabin’, used for four years after the old building was demolished, to Girlguiding in their 100th year of service to our Island. Without her commitment, we would not be here today.”

#StHelena #MetOffice #AltogetherGreener

SHG

8 December 2021

Welcome address

Official opening of new Meteorological Operations Building

Whilst projects like this one usually involve many stakeholders: all of whom will have played a vital role to achieve a shared goal, they often consist of key people that make things happen and this project has been no exception.

I therefore wish to acknowledge the significant contribution by those key people that have brought us here today. Notably:

Mike Durnford

Environmental Risk Manager

Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio

The primary domestic honey bee is a single species, the western honey bee Apis mellifera. It is possible that the St Helena bee is a hybrid of different bee sub-species introduced to the Island over the years.
The current study aims to cast further light on the origins, diversity and population dynamics of the St Helena bee using: Microsatellite DNA markers and Mitochondrial DNA sequences

To read full Press Release click here.

The Safety, Security & Home Affairs Portfolio held a Recognition Event on the evening of Friday, 3 December 2021, at Marble Hall, to acknowledge the many years of public service across the Portfolio – from five years of service all the way up to (and beyond) 40 years of service in safeguarding the Island’s community.

The event recognised almost 60 staff members who all received certificates. Many had spent decades in front-line services. For example four person’s combined service accounted for almost 150 years in protecting the community, while the nine longest serving members had almost 300 years in the Public Service.

Portfolio Director, Alex Mitham, commented:

“As this was a new Portfolio I felt it important to bring everyone together to showcase and appreciate staff dedication and commitment.

“It is humbling to see so many give their time to the Public Service, putting others first, dedicating themselves to safeguarding the community.

“While it may be a new Portfolio, and covers a wide variety of roles – one thing unites them all – the dedication to helping and protecting St Helena’s community. Thank you to everyone on the front line.”

Minister for Safety, Security & Home Affairs, Jeffrey Ellick, added:

“Recognition is a major part of valuing employees and encouraging employees to continue with their profession. Valuing our people was one of the main areas of my campaign, it’s pleasing to see that this Portfolio is doing just that. Within this Portfolio staff are primarily frontline, always on the sharp end, where others fear to tread, you walk that road every day. Congratulations to all awardees on your achievements.

“Well done and continue with the good work, but most of all thank you for the dedication and being there for the community of St Helena.”

#StHelena #AltogetherSafer

SHG

8 December 2021

St Helena Government (SHG) would like to advise the public that the procurement exercise for the next Public Electronic Communication Networks and Services Provider/s for the Island has ended. Unfortunately, SHG was not able to achieve an agreement with any party as a result of the tender process.

SHG continues to have detailed discussions with a number of potential parties with a view to implementing a solution to provide fibre connectivity to homes and premises on the Island as soon as practicable following the arrival of the new fibre optic cable, which is currently expected during 2023.

Minister for Treasury, Infrastructure & Sustainable Development Mark Brooks said:

“We are aware of the high public interest in the sourcing of the Public Electronic Communication Networks and Services Provider/s for the Island, however, we believe that the only way we can achieve the best possible result for the Island is to find an innovative solution that sits outside of the original tender requirements. Discussions are continuing and we will be able to provide a further update to the public in the New Year.” 

Notes to Editors

The current exclusive public telecommunications licence with Sure SA Ltd will come to an end on 31 December 2022.

In early 2020 SHG tested the market for new Electronic Communication Networks and Service providers through the issuing of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for International Communications Providers to deliver voice and data communication services to St Helena from 1 January 2023.

In September 2020 Executive Council agreed for SHG to continue with the tender process and request proposals to determine the next Public Electronic Communication Networks and Services provider/s for the Island.

Through this procurement exercise, SHG sought to secure a provider/s that delivers the promises of the Digital Strategy, longer term economic and social development for the Island and that delivers intended benefits to the whole community.

Communications Providers are expected to provide the following services:

1. Residential/Voice & Data Services

2. Local Business Voice & Data Services

3. Government Voice & Data Services

4. Teleport & Data Centre on-Island and International Connectivity

5. Mobile Services

6. Television Service

7. Internet Service, to include: DNS Hosting Services, Managed Firewall Services, Managed Mail Filtering, Domain Hosting Services, Web Hosting, Internet Access and Internet Transit.

#StHelena #DigitalStrategy #TenYearPlan #Communications #SEDP

SHG

8 December 2021

An open session meeting of Governor in Council will take place on Thursday, 9 December 2021, in the Council Chamber starting at 1pm to discuss the following Development Applications: 

Documentation for this meeting is available on the St Helena Government website:   

 https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/executive-council/     

Members of the public who would like to view hard copies of the documents should contact Secretary to Executive Council, Natasha Bargo, at the Castle on tel: 22470 or via email: natasha.bargo@sainthelena.gov.sh

Governor in Council comprises His Excellency the Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook, Chief Minister Julie Thomas and Ministers Christine Scipio, Martin Henry, Mark Brooks and Jeffrey Ellick. The Attorney General is a non-voting member of Governor in Council.

SHG
8 December 2021

The Queen’s Baton was officially welcomed to St Helena on Sunday, 5 December 2021, by H.E the Governor Dr Governor Philip Rushbrook and St Helena’s, Commonwealth Games Association’s (CGA) President, Nick Stevens. The CGA were the organisers for the Batons busy two day schedule. The Baton came from Botswana and St Helena was the 17th destination out of the 72 Commonwealth Nations and Territories it will be visiting throughout the Queens Baton Relay.

At 8am on Sunday, an entourage comprising of CGA members, local athletes, media and photographers/videographers started the Island wide tour with the Baton.  They travelled through the Island districts, with planned stops for members of the community to have a chance to hold and have sight of the Baton. The Baton was taken to Diana’s Peak, Care Facilities and the General Hospital before making its way through Jamestown.

Minister of Health & Social Care and Team Manager for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – Martin Henry said:

“The community really supported the team and we tried to accommodate as much as possible on the day, what the community wanted as well.  We were allowed to touch the Baton and fully interact with it as opposed to other countries, which was a truly unique opportunity”.

On Monday morning the Baton visited all of the Island schools. At Prince Andrew School students and staff lined the 400m sports track and passed the Baton around the entire circumference. School President, Amy Thomas gave a speech accompanied by the St Helena swim team who are currently training for qualifiers in order to participate in the Birmingham 2022 Games or future games.  

The Baton was relayed up Jacob’s Ladder and then travelled to the Jamestown Wharf where a group of Prince Andrew School students and members of the Island swim team then performed a relay swimming the Baton to the SS Papanui.

A reception at Plantation House concluded the Batons journey on St Helena.

HE the Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook said:

“It has been an excellent two days around the Island. Thank you everyone for taking part in what was a real community effort. Congratulations on making it to the finishing line. Thank you to the relay team, Nicky and the organisers, for all your hard work for the good of the Island.” 

CGA President, Nicky Stevens, commented that he felt the event was well organised, with great teamwork and gave thanks to all involved, especially to those persons who covered the events.

Notes to Editor

The Queens Baton comes with a message compartment where the Queen’s message to athletes was inserted at the start of the Relay. The Baton is fitted with a 360-degree camera, LED lighting and a heartrate sensor that display the heartbeats of Batonbearers.

SHG
7 December 2021

Today is International Civil Aviation Day when we recognise the vital role aviation has in boosting global social and economic development and connecting people, cultures and businesses across the world.

With the commencement of scheduled air services to St Helena on 14 October 2017, St Helena forms part of this only rapid worldwide transportation network that facilitates international trade and tourism.

Today, we recognise the importance of aviation but we also recognise the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industry, including on St Helena. Travel bans and lockdowns brought about by the pandemic led to a temporary suspension of our only scheduled air service provision with Airlink in March 2020 to date. Despite this, access has been maintained to the Island seeing 60 plus flights (including charter, medevac and calibration flights), providing a swift link to the rest of the world and allowing important medical supplies, equipment and people to be brought here.

Minister for Treasury, Infrastructure & Sustainable Development Mark Brooks said:

“Today we celebrate the work of everyone on St Helena who has a key role in the international aviation industry. We thank them for their work to maintain access to the Island during this challenging time to ensure that we continue our important links with the rest of the world, including supporting economic and tourism development and aero-medevac capability.”

Notes to Editors

All aviation and air access matters on the Island are the responsibility of the St Helena Government (SHG) Civil Aviation team of the Treasury, Infrastructure & Sustainable Development Portfolio. The team leads on all aviation regulatory matters along with strategic planning to support ongoing air access in support of Island needs.

The team co-ordinates and oversees key air access related contracts within SHG including:

#StHelena #InternationalCivilAviationDay

SHG

7 December 2021