For the further control and prevention of the spread of the dangerous infectious disease COVID-19, the Board hereby issues and directs that the following special measures be observed throughout Antigua and Barbuda:

1. Duration

These special measures shall have effect from Monday 14th March, 2022 until further order of the Board.

2. Conduct of business and public health

Every –

(a) Owner of a business;

(b) Service provider;

(c) Professional or other persons,

offering goods, products or services to the general public or a part thereof, shall ensure that their employees, customers and clients –

(i) Wash or sanitize their hands prior to entering the office or establishment of the said business owner, service provider, professional or similar persons;

(ii) Observe social distancing protocols of six feet between individuals at the check-out or seated in any waiting area or while waiting on the outside to enter the office or establishment.

3. Wearing of face mask in public

(1) Subject to subparagraph (3), it shall not be mandatory for any person to wear a face mask in any public place.

(2) A person may, for his or her own protection, wear a face mask in any crowded place, workplace, supermarket, prison, hospital, hospice, nursing home, school or other educational institution, restaurant or similar facility.

4. Fortnightly COVID-19 testing by unvaccinated and other persons

(1) It shall not be obligatory for any unvaccinated person to undergo fortnightly or another testing as a condition of employment.

(2) Effective immediately, no Government employee, employees of a Statutory Corporation, state-controlled enterprise or law enforcement shall be required to submit to testing for COVID-19 or to present a negative test for COVID-19 every 14 days or otherwise as a requirement for work.

5. Entertainment places, In-house dining etc.

Effective immediately, patrons are permitted attend the cinema, night club, bars and similar facilities, gyms and sporting arenas, as well as experience in-house dining at any restaurant in Antigua and Barbuda without the requirement to show proof of vaccination.

6. Protocol for the release of persons from Isolation

(1) Every person who has contracted the coronavirus disease shall be subject to isolation for a minimum period of seven (7) days and may be released only in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.

(2) A person who is in isolation but shows no symptoms of having the coronavirus disease may be released from isolation after seven (7) days if the results of an approved antigen test done on that person on day seven (7) or, anytime thereafter, is negative.

(3) A person who is in isolation, but who has symptoms or whose test from an approved antigen test is positive for coronavirus disease on day seven of that person’s isolation, shall remain in isolation for a further three (3) days or until such time as the symptoms of the disease have ceased.

7. Protocol for the release of a person who has been placed in quarantine

(1) Every person, herein referred to as a “contact person”, who has been informed that he or she has been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 shall be required to self-quarantine as follows –

(a) if the contact person is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, the quarantine period shall be 14 days;

(b) if the contact person is fully vaccinated but has not received a booster, the quarantine period shall be 10 days;

(c) If the contact person is fully vaccinated and has received a booster, the quarantine period shall be 7 days.

(2) If, during the quarantine period –

(a) the contact person develops symptoms of coronavirus disease, the contact person shall be tested for coronavirus disease; and

(b) the results of approved PCR tests of a contact person is positive, the contact person shall be placed in isolation and shall be subject to the requirements for a person in isolation as determined by the Ministry of Health.

8. Penalty

(1) A person who has been placed in isolation or quarantine shall adhere to the rules established by the Ministry of Health and these protocols.

(2) A person who fails to adhere to the measures specified in these Regulations for the further prevention of the spread of COVID-19 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000.00 or to imprisonment for six (6) months or to both such fine and imprisonment.