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The Emergency Planning Department wishes to inform the public that the island’s Early Warning System, commonly known as the Klaxon, has been officially suspended.

The system was originally purchased in 2021, using external funds, with the intent to provide an audible emergency alert for the residents of Jamestown and Rupert’s. However, due to persistent complications between the system’s communication technology and the island’s unique topography, the system has proven unreliable.

This decision follows extensive efforts by the current Emergency Planning team to rectify the issues. Despite conducting a range of fault-finding investigations, repair efforts, and exploring various technical upgrades, it has become clear that the system cannot be restored to a reliable operational standard.

Alternative Warning Methods

The safety of the community remains our highest priority. Emergency services will continue to warn and inform the public using established methods that have been successfully relied upon for many years, including:

Our Commitment to the Community

The Emergency Planning Department is committed to ensuring that any system in place is effective and dependable. Whilst no system is without limitations, we believe it is important to be transparent with the community when a specific technology does not meet the rigorous standards required for public safety. We will continue to rely on our tried-and-tested manual notification procedures while exploring future sustainable options for the island.

#StHelena #EmergencyPlanning #NotificationProcedures

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St Helena is currently experiencing a north-westerly swell, resulting in unsettling sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay.

Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.

Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.

Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.

Port Control has closed lower Rupert’s, including the jetty and beach area, until further notice.

The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary.

SHG

02 February 2026

St Helena is experiencing a north-westerly swell with unexpected unsettled sea conditions in James Bay and Rupert’s Bay, likely to continue until further notice.

Extreme caution is advised for swimmers, and boat owners must secure vessels. Motorists are advised to avoid parking near sea-front railings.

Further updates will be provided in due course.

The public are reminded of the opening times for HM Customs and Immigration located at Liberation House in Rupert’s.

Customs services are available from Monday to Friday between 09:00 – 15:00.

Immigration services operate a drop-in on Mondays and Fridays from 09:00 – 15:00, where no appointment is required. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, immigration services are offered by appointment only, and members of the public are asked to call 22287 in advance to arrange an appointment.

SHG

28 January 2026

The St Helena Dental Clinic is moving to an appointment-only service for all dental emergencies, effective immediately. The morning Walk-In Clinic (08:30) is no longer in operation.

How to Access Emergency Care:

Patients requiring emergency dental care must now book an appointment in advance. We can no longer see patients on a walk-in basis.

Why is this changing?

This transition is designed to improve patient care by reducing long waiting times and overcrowding. By scheduling emergencies, our team can provide more focused, timely care to those in genuine need.

What counts as an emergency?

Our emergency services remain the same and include:

Out-of-Hours Care

For emergencies outside of normal hours, patients must first attempt appropriate pain relief and undergo face-to-face triage at the General Hospital Emergency Department.

Contact Information:

For further information, please contact the Dental Clinic at 25387 or email the Dental Manager, Charmaine Buckley-Thomas, at charmaine.buckley@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Please be advised that the Museum Car Parks will be closed on Wednesday, 28 January, from 09:00 to 15:00.

This closure is necessary to allow the Rock Guards to conduct essential safety inspections of the cliff faces and areas situated directly above the parking zones.

To ensure the area is clear for inspection, we kindly ask all members of the public to vacate these car parks by the evening of Tuesday, 27 January.

Directional and advisory signs will be prominently displayed throughout the area.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation in keeping our public spaces safe.

The car parks beside and behind the Museum will be closed on Wednesday 28 January 2026

The public are advised that the Veterinary Clinic at Scotland will be closed on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, due to veterinarian being unavailable.

For emergencies, please contact 26162.

The public are thanked in advance for their cooperation.

SHG

26 January 2026

Please be advised of a temporary adjustment to the Monday to Friday Bottom Woods public bus schedule, effective from Monday, 26 January 2026, to Saturday, 07 March 2026.

These changes are necessary to accommodate the upcoming Road Maintenance Programme taking place in Longwood, specifically covering the stretch of road from Longwood Gate to Hutts Gate.

Key Changes for Passengers:

View the Revised Schedule

We encourage all commuters to plan ahead. The full revised schedule is available for download on the St Helena Government website via the link below:

Revised PTS Route 1 Schedule (PDF) SHG and the transport team thank the public for their patience and co-operation while these essential road improvements are completed

The public and all port stakeholders are advised that the Port of Rupert’s will be closed from 08:00 on Thursday, 22 January 2026 for the movement of containers in preparation for the visit of the MV Karoline and will remain closed until all operations are completed.

During this time, the port will be in Security State Level Three which means access will only be granted to those persons and vehicles with authorisation from Port Management.

Any inconvenience is regretted and the public and port users are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding.

SHG

21 January 2026

The Education Learning Centre will be closed on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, following a recent announcement from Connect St Helena.

During this closure, some staff will be working off-site and can be contacted via the following email addresses:

-Ceri Morgan – ceri.morgan@sainthelena.gov.sh

-Kerry Lawrence – Kerry.Lawrence@sainthelena.gov.sh

-Angela Benjamin – angela.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh

-Nichole Spence – nichole.spence@sainthelena.gov.sh

-Carley Peters – carley.peters@sainthelena.edu.sh

-Glen Yon – glen.yon@sainthelena.edu.sh

-Sarah Iguna – sarah.iguna@sainthelena.gov.sh

-Ruth Twalo – 20rtwalo@pas.edu.sh

-Lolly Young – lolly.young@sainthelena.gov.sh

The Education Directorate apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the public for their understanding

SHG

20 January 2026