Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have enacted temporary movement restrictions across multiple districts of the nation’s capital, St John’s, as part of stepped-up security preparations ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The large-scale security simulation launched at 6:00 a.m. local time on Friday, and is scheduled to wrap up by noon the same day. Within the formally designated ‘red zone,’ strict limits have been placed on both vehicle and pedestrian movement throughout the exercise window.
A number of critical government facilities and adjacent compounds are closed to all entry for the duration of the drill. These include major public institutions: the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), Medical Benefits Scheme, Social Security Administration, Treasury Department, Civil Registry, Statistics Department, PDV Caribe, and Government House. Additionally, all vehicle traffic has been banned from the eastern stretch of Corn Alley for the length of the simulation.
Local law enforcement has issued public advisories noting that all affected sites will remain closed to staff, visitors, and members of the general public until the exercise concludes at midday. Police have also urged all travelers to steer clear of the restricted zone and plan alternate travel routes to avoid unnecessary delays or conflicts with security personnel.
Officials confirmed the drill is designed to test the full spectrum of the country’s security frameworks, evaluating operational readiness, emergency response protocols, and inter-agency coordination ahead of the high-profile summit, which will bring dozens of Commonwealth heads of state and hundreds of official delegates to Antigua and Barbuda in 2026.