As the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda advances its preparations to host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this November, the national task force overseeing event planning has launched a public call for cooperation ahead of a major full-scale security readiness drill, dubbed Exercise Resilience. Scheduled to run from midday to 6:00 pm on Monday, August 10, the drill is being jointly coordinated by the task force’s Security Planning Sub-Committee and the CHOGM Business Forum Committee, with activity concentrated across three key sites: the Sticky Wicket Restaurant and Conference Centre at Barnacle Point, and the Copper and Lumber Store Hotel located in English Harbour.
In a public statement issued by the task force’s Media and Public Affairs Committee, a spokesperson emphasized that this large-scale simulation is an indispensable step in verifying the country’s ability to safely host one of the world’s largest international intergovernmental gatherings. The spokesperson acknowledged that temporary disruptions, particularly from scheduled road closures across multiple key routes, will inevitably cause inconvenience for local residents, motorists, and business operators. However, he noted that the drill is a core component of national preparations for the high-profile summit, which is expected to deliver widespread, long-term economic and diplomatic benefits to the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Beyond basic security checks, Exercise Resilience is specifically designed to evaluate and reinforce the country’s overall security posture, emergency response protocols, cross-agency coordination mechanisms, and end-to-end operational effectiveness in a controlled, real-world simulation environment. Over the course of the drill, participating national and local agencies will run through a full suite of real-time operational scenarios identical to those that will be executed during the official CHOGM program. These include simulated movements of VIP and VVIP motorcades, layered venue security deployments, enhanced entry screening procedures, response drills for unexpected emergency situations, and testing of coordinated operational protocols that will also apply to the official CHOGM Business Forum scheduled to take place at the Sticky Wicket site.
To help the public prepare, the task force has released full details of expected disruptions. Temporary road closures, traffic diversions, and restricted access will be implemented across multiple major arterial roads across the island. Restricted parking zones will also be enforced in and around the Sticky Wicket area, including stretches adjacent to the old terminal of V.C. Bird International Airport. Affected routes cover all roads leading to official venues and hotels across the island’s eastern, western, northern, and southern quadrants, including the Sir George Walter Highway, Sir Sydney Walling Highway, Old Parham Road, Friars Hill Road, Valley Road, all access roads to and from V.C. Bird International Airport, and the entire English Harbour and Dockyard area. Pedestrian movement will also be regulated in designated simulation zones throughout the drill period.
To minimize travel delays and confusion, law enforcement and security personnel will be deployed at strategic positions along all affected routes. Their roles will include assisting motorists, directing diverted traffic, and maintaining safe, orderly flow for both vehicles and pedestrians. Local authorities have issued clear guidance for all affected groups: motorists, airport passengers, local residents, and business owners are strongly encouraged to plan itineraries in advance, depart early for scheduled appointments where possible, and build extra travel time into their plans to avoid unplanned delays. The public is also urged to comply fully with all diversion signage, posted road markings, and instructions issued by on-site police and authorized security personnel, and to follow official government social media and media platforms for real-time updates and advisories before and during the exercise.
In closing, both the National Task Force overseeing CHOGM preparations and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda have issued an apology for any temporary inconvenience caused by the required security measures, and extended sincere thanks to the Antigua and Barbuda public for their ongoing patience, understanding, and cooperation as the country works to ensure a safe, successful 2026 CHOGM summit.