As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to welcome the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) between November 1 and 4, local law enforcement and event organizers have released detailed access and traffic arrangements designed to balance stringent security requirements for visiting world leaders and delegates with the needs of the island nation’s key tourism industry and daily civilian life.
Held across multiple venues in the capital city of St. John’s, the summit will draw heads of state, senior officials, and hundreds of delegates from across the Commonwealth bloc. To address widespread public concern over widespread shutdowns that could disrupt the local economy, especially the critical cruise tourism sector, event planners have tailored security measures to avoid full closure of the port area.
Speaking on the popular *Browne and Browne Show* Saturday, Rodney Ellis, Superintendent of the Police Traffic Department, confirmed that planning for the event explicitly accounted for scheduled cruise ship arrivals during the summit. “The cruise ship would be in Antigua,” Ellis noted, explaining why key thoroughfares near the port including Market Street will remain open to foot and vehicle traffic. He added that both Market Street and Thames Street will sit outside the formal security perimeter established around summit venues, meaning normal business operations can continue in these areas. For taxi operators, a designated exit route along Newgate Street and Cross Street has been mapped out to ensure they can still move passengers in and out of the capital without running afoul of security checks.
The most significant traffic and access disruptions will be concentrated around the Performing Arts Centre and High Street, where the summit’s opening ceremony will take place. Ellis explained that this area will be locked down for between six and seven hours to allow for pre-event security preparations ahead of delegate arrivals. Event officials confirmed that security barriers in this area will be removed by between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. once opening ceremony proceedings conclude.
Everton Barnes, co-lead of the CHOGM Media and Public Affairs Committee, moved quickly to debunk viral rumors that the entire island would be locked down during the summit. “We are not locking down Antigua. Let me say that again. We are not locking down Antigua,” Barnes emphasized. He clarified that restrictions will only apply to specific venues during limited windows of time, and all supermarkets, retail shops, and local businesses operating outside of these restricted zones will remain open and fully accessible to residents and visitors alike.
To keep local business leaders informed and address their concerns, Barnes noted that the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce has been invited to host a public town hall, where owners can directly question event and law enforcement officials about access arrangements and potential impacts on their daily operations.
In closing, Superintendent Ellis offered additional reassurance to local residents, confirming that emergency response vehicles will maintain unimpeded access to all restricted areas throughout the summit, and that regular community policing operations will continue across both Antigua and Barbuda with no reduction in service during the event.