Most of SVG to remain open tomorrow, Southern Grenadines residents encouraged to be vigilant during passage of storm

There will be no shutdown for most of St Vincent and the Grenadines tomorrow.

This is according to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who delivered an update to the nation this evening via radio on the passage of Tropical Storm Gonzalo.

Gonsalves said meteorologist, Billy Jeffers indicated that while the storm has weakened, parts of the country will still experience its effects.

“Mainland St Vincent and Bequia and Mustique, we continue normal business with flood watches and possible warnings being issued tomorrow if the predictive models indicate rainfall in excess of three inches,” the prime minister said.

He added that “residents in the Southern Grenadines remain under threat and Southern Grenadines islands including Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent can still experience near storm force winds, moderate to heavy rainfall and rough seas”.

Residents in the Southern Grenadines are therefore being asked to remain indoors and be extremely vigilant during the passage of the storm.

The prime minister said vendors who usually go into Kingstown may be able to do so to sell produce as it will be business as usual on mainland.

The Argyle International Airport issued a release earlier today, July 24 to announce the closure of all operations at the airport from 6am tomorrow, July 25.

But its most recent update said the international airport will open at 8am. Gonsalves said the AIA will close at 6pm as it has been doing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This means that the American Airlines flight coming out of Miami is still on schedule,” he said.

The prime minister added; “It looks as though we have been spared the worst but we still have to be careful and keep our eyes and ears out. Though the winds have subsided in intensity, we’re still going to have moderate to heavy rainfall and areas which are prone to flooding, you have to be very careful”.

Fisher-folk are also being asked to remain vigilant as there may be rough sea conditions over the weekend.