National security agencies will conduct Exercise Stronghold across parts of St. John's on Wednesday, July 8, and Friday, July 10, as Antigua and Barbuda prepares to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from November 1 to 4, according to Antigua News Room.
As part of the exercise, authorities have designated a Red Zone within which movement of both people and vehicles will be restricted for the duration of each operational period.
The Red Zone boundary runs from Parliament Drive, right onto Queen Elizabeth Highway, left onto Independence Drive, right onto New Street down to Corn Alley, then right up to Upper Newgate Street, left onto Cross Street, right onto Upper Bishopgate Street between Government House and the YMCA, left onto Old Parham Road at the roundabout, right at Teacher's Place Road to Factory Road, and back via a left and right turn onto Parliament Drive.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Louisa Quashie announced that Wednesday's exercise will constitute a Soft Lockdown, running from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. During that window, vehicular traffic will be prohibited within the Red Zone, though pedestrians will be permitted to move through most of the restricted area — with the exception of High Street. Traffic along Corn Alley will continue to flow, however no left turns will be allowed.
Residents and workers unable to access the Red Zone before 8:00 am are advised to use alternative parking at the Antigua Recreation Ground, Antigua Girls' High School, Antigua Grammar School, or the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. Ministries and businesses operating below Corn Alley will not be directly impacted on Wednesday, though Deputy Commissioner Quashie recommended careful planning of travel routes.
Friday's exercise will be considerably more restrictive. Authorities will implement a Hard Lockdown from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon, during which both vehicular and pedestrian access will be completely prohibited within the Red Zone. No vehicular access will be permitted on the eastern side of Corn Alley.
Deputy Commissioner Quashie noted that while ministries and businesses below Corn Alley will not be directly affected, all establishments within the operational area will experience disruptions. She specifically identified government entities — including APUA, Medical Benefits, the Statistics Department, Social Security, PDV, Treasury, the Civil Registry, and Government House — as needing to make necessary adjustments, as workers and members of the public will be unable to access those premises before midday.
The senior official was clear that the exercise does not amount to a citywide closure. Only the designated Red Zone will be affected.
A correspondence from the security forces to affected businesses and statutory bodies called for cooperation in communicating the arrangements. "We kindly request your ministry's assistance in disseminating these arrangements to all relevant departments under your authority. Your cooperation is essential for ensuring smooth operations and the successful execution of this national security exercise," the correspondence read.
