All non-essential businesses will be shut down tomorrow, Friday, July 2, due to the approaching Tropical Storm Elsa.

This decision was taken this afternoon, Thursday, July 1 by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves during a meeting of the National Emergency Council of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

In a release, NEMO said the decision to shut down the country tomorrow was taken “out of an abundance of caution” and based on the forecast that the outer bands of the storm are likely to affect St Vincent and the Grenadines early tomorrow morning.

All businesses and schools will close tomorrow and only essential workers will report for work. 

The Prime Minister is expected to address the nation later today in relation to the impending impact of Tropical Storm Elsa.