Headline: Latest update from Cabinet. Listen to Observer Radio 91.1FM for updates during the day HURST REPORTS ON CABINET OF Wednesday January 13 2021 The Cabinet met both face-to-face and virtually, three members choosing to participate by virtual means. The custom of the Gaston Browne-led Cabinet is to invite experts and government officials to Cabinet in order to enhance the body’s decision-making.1.The Cabinet invited the Chief Medical Officer, the Chairman of the National Technical Commission responsible for crafting Covid-19 policy, and the Head of the Government’s Laboratory to appear before the body in order to provide guidance on the policies which are to govern, now that the USA and the UK (and most likely Canada, also) now require all those passengers entering their territories to provide a Covid-19 Negative certificate. The UK requirement will commence on January 21, and the US requirement on January 26, 2021.The need for more testing and a rapid turnaround, given the 72-hour limitation imposed on the validity of the test for re-entry, the MSJMC would have to increase the speed with which test results are returned, and address the larger number of tests that would have to be undertaken at its laboratory. Following intense discussions, the team identified a total of 3 additional PCR machines that could now be placed at the MSJMC, bringing the number of machines to 5; and, the number of persons who could quickly be trained to carry out the testing. It was agreed that though the USA would require a viral test, and the UK would require a Sophia test, the gold standard of all tests is still the PCR test, and the capabilities at MSJMC could be adjusted to meet the expected increased demand. The three officials were also questioned on the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines that are now on the market, and to identify which would be best for Antigua and Barbuda. The Prime Minister informed that at a recent virtual CARICOM Heads meeting, there was concern expressed for the kind of “vaccine nationalism” that has become prevalent; and, of the criminal sale of fake vaccines, especially to private practitioners. The three officials advised that there would have to be regulations governing the use of any Covid-19 vaccine, and that permission to treat privately would first have to be sought. At this moment, none of the countries participating in the COVAX purchase through the PAHO do not know which of the vaccines will likely become available to them. While the Pfizer vaccine is more than 90% effective, storage at a sub-freezing temperature would prove challenging. There was discussion about the other vaccines, their efficacy and the cost. It was agreed that cost would not be a consideration given the need to move to inoculation of the Frontline Responders, the elderly and others in the population as soon as practicable.