Tough Stance

Confirming that Barbados now has on record a total of 46 COVID-19 cases after one more positive test, and lamenting that Barbadians were still congregating in large groups in spite of warnings not to do so, Acting Prime Minister of Barbados, Santia Bradshaw, has outlined tighter restrictions to limit the movement of citizens and to combat the virus’ spread.

During a Post-Cabinet Press Conference yesterday, the Acting Prime Minister noted that under a 24-hour curfew, which comes into effect today April 3rd, 2020 until midnight April 14th, persons will only be allowed on the streets if they are doing legitimate business. They should only be on the road to go to the pharmacy, to seek medical assistance, if they are part of the essential services or if they are doing business with an exempt businesses. In addition, to ease the concerns of key stakeholders about the gathering of persons in their numbers at certain establishments without regard to social distancing, as of 5 p.m. today, supermarkets and minimarts will be closed until further notice.

“Our observations thus far continue to be that there are large groups of persons congregating across the island, even in spite of the persistent warnings of so doing. As we continue our discussions with our stakeholders, the members of the Cabinet sub-committee in respect of COVID-19 met this morning with the owners of a number of supermarkets, gas stations and bakeries across the island. Amongst the concerns expressed at that meeting unanimously by those present, are that even up to this morning, a large number of persons continue to congregate in particular, outside the supermarkets. I have discussed the matter with the Chief Medical Officer as well as the Minister of Health and Wellness and they are both of the view that we cannot further delay the closure of supermarkets and minimarts across the island, based on the current trends. To do otherwise will have deleterious effects on our citizens,” Bradshaw commented.

“Therefore, as of 5 p.m. (today) Friday the 3rd of April, all supermarkets and minimarts shall remain closed until further notice. We are in discussions with supermarket owners to see how we can certainly be able to provide through electronic commerce, as well as perhaps a staggering of allowing persons across the country to be able to access the services, particularly the most vulnerable in that category, to allow them to be able to fulfill specific grocery orders,” she further stated.

The Acting PM however noted that though supermarkets will be closed, village shops will be allowed to distribute goods, though no more than three can congregate at a time and bakeries and bread depots will also be allowed to operate.

Further, all restaurants are to remain closed, until midnight April 14th. No alcoholic beverages are to be sold, during the shutdown period. Auto-marts will however be open for the sale of “top-ups” and gas stations will remain open, as those in the essential services will need to fill up their vehicles.

All government departments will remain closed unless otherwise specified by the Head of the Civil Service and a memo will be sent to the relevant ministries, indicating who will be required to go to work.

The Acting PM has meanwhile noted that there may be further changes, as government monitors the situation, in the interest of the public. (RSM)