Security Exercise Locks Down Parts of St John’s Ahead of CHOGM 2026
Police have imposed a temporary lockdown across parts of St John’s as Antigua and Barbuda steps up preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
The security simulation, which began at 06:00 local time on Friday, will continue until 12:00, with strict restrictions on vehicle and pedestrian access within a designated red zone.
Access has been suspended to several government offices and nearby compounds, including the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA), Medical Benefits Scheme, Social Security, Treasury Department, Civil Registry, Statistics Department, PDV Caribe and Government House. No vehicles are being allowed on the eastern side of Corn Alley during the exercise.
Police have advised employees, customers and the public that the affected facilities will remain inaccessible until midday and have urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area and use alternative routes.
The exercise is intended to assess security operations, emergency response and coordination between agencies before Antigua and Barbuda hosts Commonwealth leaders and delegates for CHOGM 2026.
UPDATE:
Source: Antigua News Room CHOGM Security Exercise Successfully Concluded.