ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – The Antigua and Barbuda government has announced an amnesty for persons “still struggling” to deal with the financial impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has killed 146 people and infected 9,098 in the country since March 2020.

According to a statement issued following the weekly Cabinet meeting, it had been agreed that residential customers owing the Antigua Public Utilities (APUA) for electricity and water, who are in arrears before and up to December 31, 2021, will have their debts to APUA forgiven.

“Customers who pay the current month’s obligation, benefiting from this amnesty, will be reconnected by November 1st 2022,” the statement said, adding that unpaid property taxes up to December 31, 2021 will also benefit from an amnesty programme, provided they pay the current year’s tax.

“Residents and citizens with outstanding hospital bills, owed to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, and in arrears for more than 180 days, will have their balance forgiven also, under the amnesty programme rolled out by the Cabinet,” the statement added without disclosing the amount of funds to be foregone as a result of the initiative.

It said that Health Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, had informed Cabinet that the COVID-19 pandemic “has clearly been on the decline but cautions the vulnerable to continue to practice good hand hygiene and other measures”.

The statement urged persons who have not yet been vaccinated are still encouraged to do so.