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An opportunity has arisen to allow passengers travelling on the Titan Airways flight, scheduled to depart St Helena on Wednesday, 13 January 2021, to disembark during the flights technical stop in Accra, Ghana, on route to the United Kingdom.

Any persons interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to disembark in Ghana are asked to contact Acting Airport Director, Paul Cherrett, on email: paul.cherrett@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Ghanaian authorities require a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival as well as a mandatory test on arrival at the airport in Accra. PCR testing will be available for departing passengers on Monday, 11 January 2021.

Interested persons must present passport details and proof of the right of entry into Ghana by no later than 4pm on Friday, 8 January 2021.

#StHelena #TitanAirways #Ghana

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SHG
7 January 2021

Following an open procurement exercise conducted in December 2020, SHG has entered into a contract with Simon Francis of S. Doy Construction, Sea View, Alarm Forest, for the construction of a wheelchair accessible public sidewalk at Longwood.

The sidewalk will be adjacent to the existing Longwood Avenue Road allowing pedestrians to travel the route without using the main road. Completion of this work is programmed for the end of February 2021.

The project is being funded under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Micro Projects. Executive Council previously agreed a number of smaller Micro Projects under EDIP, which can be implemented relatively quickly with a low total cost and which are not subject to detailed business cases.

Members of the public will be kept informed of progress and are thanked for their understanding during this time.

SHG

6 January 2021

In light of increased infection rates for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom, St Helena Government has decided to only allow passengers who have had a recent negative COVID-19 test to travel on the upcoming repatriation flight. This includes those who will be transiting to Ascension.

In order to join the flight from the United Kingdom to St Helena on 11 January 2021, it will be mandatory for all passengers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result. A PCR test undertaken within 72 hours prior to travel is preferred. However, on this occasion, due to the flight being just days away, a rapid test carried out within 24 hours prior to departure will also be accepted.

Passengers will be required to provide the Health Directorate with a copy of their negative COVID-19 test result prior to travel and will also be required to carry a copy with them. 

Should any passenger return a positive COVID-19 test result, or show up at check-in with no test having been undertaken, they will not be permitted to join the flight. Passengers that test positive for COVID-19 should immediately follow the guidance from their relevant health authority.

Any passengers with queries on this new requirement should contact the Interim Director of Health, Janet Lawrence, on email: janet.lawrence@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #COVID-19 #MandatoryTestingPriorToDeparture

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SHG
6 January 2021

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) monthly meeting took place on Wednesday, 9 December 2020.

Members agreed the increase in the Archives Research fees in line with inflation (2.6%) as follows:

By majority vote, the Committee did not support the increase in the Gaming Machines fees at this time due to the current downturn in the business and economic environment. 

The Committee agreed proposed increases in the Liquor fees in line with inflation as follows:

The Committee agreed to recommend to Executive Councilincreases from 1 April 2021in the Charities fees in line with inflation as follows:

An Archives Lending Policy was agreed which will enable items from the Archives collections to be loaned for on-Island exhibitions, subject to various conditions being met by the borrower. This recommendation will go forward to Executive Council for approval.

The Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) half-yearly report was discussed. A meeting will now be arranged with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the CEO of the EHRC, and the Director of Children and Adult Social Care to discuss private sector issues in terms of equality and the need for overarching legislation. Clarity is also sought in relation to the Constitution and its application to the private sector.

Under Matters Arising from previous Minutes it was agreed to take forward with Elected Members the possibility for the proposed Career Access St Helena (CASH) to help with the role of enforcing the Employment law when it comes to sick pay, annual leave, and having contracts in place.

#StHelena #SCDC #MeetingSummary

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SHG
6 January 2021

Due to the focus on the upcoming Population and Housing Census 2021, SHG will not be conducting a full business survey this financial year. However, in order to understand how local labour market conditions have changed since last year, employers are asked to complete a short survey regarding positions that are difficult to recruit and the impact this has had on their business.

The information collected in this survey will be used to inform the 2021 Shortage Occupation List and other policies related to careers and employment. Data will only be reported in summary and individual employer names will be kept confidential.

A copy of the Shortage Occupation Questionnaire form has been distributed to employers by email and can also be found on the Public Information page of the SHG Website via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/public-information/.

Employers are advised to complete the form and return as soon as possible, by no later than 29 January 2021. Please contact the Career Access and Economic Policy Assistant, Marcella Mittens, or Senior Economist, Amanda Curry Brown, on tel: 22470 or email: cash@sainthelena.gov.sh if you would like help completing the questionnaire or if you any have questions or comments.

#StHelena #ShortageOccupation #Questionnaire

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SHG
6 January 2021

Following the arrival of the repatriation flight, due Monday, 11 January 2021, the majority of arrivals to St Helena will go into home quarantine for a period of 14 days at a property pre-approved by a Proper Officer. 

A Roaming Security Team (RST) will be in place to monitor compliance with quarantine rules and regulations through a 24hr roaming security service.

This RST will commence security duties following the arrival of next week’s flight.

The roaming security remit is as follows: 

While the RST will operate on a 24hr basis, the community are still asked to report any concerns or suspicions of a potential breach of quarantine to St Helena Police.

Further details on the successful contractor to operate the roaming security will be given through an IEG Radio Update this week (listen out for this on local radio stations).

#StHelena #HomeQuarantine #RoamingSecurity

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SHG
6 January 2021

Andrew Weir Ship Management (AWSM) has advised that when the MV Helena arrived in Cape Town on 31 December 2020, two passengers tested positive for COVID-19. All remaining passengers and the crew members were negative for COVID-19.

The Health Directorate has requested that the two passengers be re-tested in order to confirm the results. This is part of the Health Directorate’s standard operating procedure. The results should be known within the next few days.

Alongside of this, an individual has been identified on-Island who was an immediate contact of the two passengers. As a purely precautionary measure, this individual has been tested for COVID-19 and found to be negative.

The risk of transmission to the local community is extremely low and the Health Directorate is confident that there is no community spread of COVID-19 at this time. All of the measures concerning the 14 day quarantine period and the testing regime for COVID-19 remain in place.

SHG

4 January 2021

Members of the public who have family, friends or colleagues arriving on the repatriation flight – scheduled to arrive on Monday, 11 January 2021 – that are quarantining at Bradley’s Camp, and who would like to deliver items to make their stay more comfortable, can do this in advance of the flight arriving.

Please mark any items for delivery to the Camp clearly with the resident’s full name. Ensure all bags, boxes, etc. are sealed and the contents secured. Bradley’s Camp will not accept any open or unmarked bags or boxes.

Deliveries before quarantine commences will be accepted at any time between 7am and 9pm.

When quarantine commences (from Monday, 11 January) delivery times are restricted to between 10am and 11am and 5pm and 6pm each day.

Should you have any questions about deliveries to the Camp, please call: 25911.

SHG
4 January 2021

21 OCTOBER AND 18 NOVEMBER 2020

Two meetings of the Education & Employment Committee took place on Wednesday, 21 October, and Wednesday, 18 November 2020.

Prince Andrew School (PAS) Maths Advisory Teacher, Kesh Naidoo, gave a brief overview of his professional background.

Assistant Director for Lifelong Learning, Angela Benjamin, presented the sectors End of Year Report for the period September 2019 to August 2020. The Committee noted that despite COVID-19, the Directorate continues to strive to increase the academic and vocational learning opportunities for upskilling the Island’s workforce. Statistics show that 949 members are enrolled within the St Helena Community College (SHCC) – an increase on the 765 registered members from the previous academic year – demonstrating that nearly one fifth of the Island’s adult population are continuing their education and upskilling.

The SHCC continues to offer adult education at all levels including core skills in Maths, English and ICT, access to higher education, professional studies, university-level courses and vocational education. During this period there has been a high demand for virtual conferencing, webinars, online learning programmes and materials which involved live streaming of videos, downloading of study guides and virtual proctoring for exam provisions.

It was noted that members of the public were registering themselves privately for courses and, during this process, did not liaise with the SHCC to enquire the possibility to have the examination administered through the online examination provision. The public are reminded that the Directorate will only entertain online examination courses that have been registered with the SHCC for which all requirements would be processed before the course is confirmed.

Discussions were held with the Chairman of the Labour Regulating Authority, Duncan Cooke, and Attorney General, Allen Cansick, about proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Ordinance. Guidelines on best practices and codes of practice for employers, employees and workers will be drafted and consulted.  Various minor amendments were noted and it was stated that the Labour Market Strategy should be linked.

A review of the Directorate Strategic Plan was undertaken. Attainment levels were discussed thoroughly and inconsistent reporting for Primary, Secondary and the SHCC was noted as an area to address. Various queries were answered. It was noted that the total number of Year 6 students plays a big part in the interpretation of the percentages, therefore it was proposed to include the numbers of cohorts as they vary from year to year. 

It was stated that through analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) required further information with regards to children who did not attain Age Related Expectations to ensure that their needs were addressed. It was noted by a member that students making good progress.

Other areas for improvement were to identify specific areas where children were based for Apprenticeships and to include more detail in relation to results from the SHCC (i.e. a chart to show what areas students are studying). 

The targets for secondary education were queried and it was explained that these were based on predicted grades. Various queries were then made and were answered and explained by the Director. It was reiterated that the employment role needs to be included and flagged where there will be budget implications.

A Directorate Charging Policy was brought to the Committee for approval. It was noted that in 2012, the Directorate used to have an overarching charging policy but this was separated. It was proposed by the Director to combine all charges and place in one Directorate Charging Policy again. The Director explained the changes to the document. Some additions were made and points for clarification explained.  The Directorate needed to undertake further work to ensure that all supporting forms be amended to relate to the revised Charging Policy and to review the charges for Invigilation and Administration Fees for examinations. Amendments to the Policy will be circulated via email. The Chairperson suggested that the Charging Policy be reviewed on an annual basis.

The Directorate then presented the ICT Policy for approval. This has been produced to also support the achievement of the milestones for the St Connected Project.  Members questioned whether the ICT policy was in support of the St Helena Government ICT Policy. The Director advised that the St Helena Government IT Section has given feedback on the Policy. Various amendments and suggestions for improvements were made. Once amended, this Policy would be to members for approval.

#StHelena #Education&EmploymentCommittee #MeetingSummary

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SHG
4 January 2021

The Incident Executive Group (IEG) met on Thursday, 31 December 2020, to review St Helena COVID-19 preparedness in light of the new coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom.

New Coronavirus Variant in the United Kingdom

A new coronavirus variant has been identified in the United Kingdom. Though much is unknown about this new variant, early evidence suggests it is more transmittable than earlier variants of the virus. Because of this, the majority of new cases of COVID-19 in the UK are likely caused by this variant. Research and monitoring is ongoing, but there is no evidence yet that suggests higher virulence (ability to cause harm).

This variant can be identified through the PCR Test Kits being used to test for COVID-19 on St Helena. This means the effectiveness of testing regimes on-Island remains unchanged. Ongoing work and research is currently taking place globally to provide further evidence around testing and vaccination. The Health Directorate is keeping informed with any updates and is in close discussion with Public Health England for advice.

January Repatriation Flight 

The January repatriation flight, operated by Titan Airways, is due to arrive to St Helena during the week commencing Monday, 11 January 2021. It is important to note that repatriation flights are for essential travel only.

Essential travel means returning residents (whose primary residence is St Helena) and their dependants and those coming for essential work or business, like critical health workers, and their dependants can travel to St Helena. Holidaymakers will not be granted permission to travel to the Island. A maximum limit of 50 seats has been set for arrivals from the United Kingdom, exclusive of transit passengers, and are prioritised accordingly.

With most of the UK currently in lockdown, the risk of an infected person travelling to the Island is reduced. All protocols and procedures for arriving passengers are still current, which includes passengers being tested on arrival and required to undergo 14 days of quarantine to further reduce an already low risk. Passengers will only be released from the requirement to quarantine if they test negative for COVID-19 on Day 14.

Restricted Access to St Helena Sea Port

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again (South Africa and globally) and travel restrictions being put in place in many countries, a decision has been made by the IEG that travel to St Helena will only be permitted for limited purposes at this time. In keeping with the earlier decision that January’s repatriation flight should be for essential purposes only, passenger access by sea will now also only be permitted to specified categories.

This means that the only persons who will be allowed to enter the Island via sea or air will be:

This restricted access by sea will come into effect from Tuesday, 5 January 2021.

While this will mean that tourists arriving on visiting yachts will not be allowed to come ashore, St Helena will still honour its international obligations.

PPE Refresher Training

The wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of the strongest defences an individual can take to protect themselves from any risk of infection – this is essential for frontline staff like health workers and carers.

To ensure that staff are continuously aware of the correct ways to use and remove PPE, a refresher training session will take place on 8 January 2021 for all Airport staff ahead of the arrival of January’s repatriation flight.

#StHelena #COVID-19 #IEG #Update

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SHG
31 December 2020