Exercise STRONGHOLD: Major Three-Day CHOGM Security Drill to Bring Road Closures and Traffic Diversions

Motorists and residents across Antigua are being warned to brace for temporary road closures, traffic diversions, and restricted access as security forces stage a major three-day national security exercise in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.

The National Security Planning Committee for CHOGM, in collaboration with several key security and emergency response agencies, will conduct Exercise STRONGHOLD from Wednesday, July 8 to Friday, July 10, 2026.

Testing the Nation's Readiness

The exercise forms part of ongoing preparations for the hosting of CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda in November and is designed to test and strengthen the country's security readiness, emergency response capabilities, inter-agency coordination, and operational effectiveness.

Throughout the three-day exercise, members of the security forces and emergency services will conduct convoy movements and operational activities along several major roads and strategic locations across the island. As a result, motorists and members of the public should expect temporary road closures, traffic diversions, and restricted access in certain areas.

Areas Affected

The areas expected to be affected include roads leading to the American University of Antigua and hotels located in the northern section of the island; the Sir George Walter Highway; the Sir Sydney Walling Highway; Old Parham Road; Friars Hill Road; and the streets and businesses surrounding the Antigua and Barbuda National Performing Arts Centre, formerly the Deluxe Cinema.

Additionally, vehicular access will be restricted within sections of the city of St. John's. The designated security zone will extend from Newgate Street in the north to New Street in the south, and from Parliament Drive in the east to Corn Alley in the west.

Pedestrian movement will also be regulated within the designated exercise areas, with police officers and other security personnel strategically deployed along the routes to assist motorists, direct traffic, and ensure the safe and orderly movement of both vehicles and pedestrians.

Plan Ahead, Police Urge

The public is strongly encouraged to plan their travel in advance and allow additional time for their daily commute during the period of the exercise. Motorists are asked to comply with all traffic diversions, road signs, and instructions given by police officers and other authorised personnel, while residents are encouraged to monitor official media platforms for further updates and advisories.

The CHOGM National Security Planning Committee said it regrets any inconvenience the temporary measures may cause and thanked the public for its patience, understanding, and full cooperation as Antigua and Barbuda continues preparations to host the international event.

A Summit That Demands the Highest Security

Exercise STRONGHOLD represents one of the most visible signs yet of the scale of preparation underway for CHOGM 2026 — a summit that will bring leaders from across the 56-nation Commonwealth to Antigua and Barbuda, and which is expected to coincide with a state visit by His Majesty King Charles III, including a planned trip to Barbuda.

With more than 800 volunteers already signed up to support the summit and over 130 delegation liaison officers identified that the July security exercise marks the transition from planning to operational rehearsal. For residents, however, the immediate reality is the prospect of significant traffic disruption across some of the island's busiest corridors during the three-day drill — a temporary inconvenience that authorities say is essential to ensuring the safety of the global gathering Antigua and Barbuda will host in November.