DLP has more questions than answers

The main concerns expressed by Barbadians going into last night’s Government press conference are the continuous importation of the coronavirus and the breaching of Covid protocols by visitors.

We are no wiser; being left with more questions than answers. There were few if any concrete takeaways from the almost three hour talk fest.

What citizens are clear on is that the Government has no interest in temporarily closing our borders.

As a result, The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) would wish enlightenment on the following:

1. Why is the government continuing to ignore the BAMP recommendations?

The Ministry of Health admitted there are many varying protocols applied in different countries although the WHO is the recommended policy entity, countries retain the right to modify based on their individual circumstances and basic common sense.

2. How will visitors be transported to quarantine facilities after arrival at the airport?

3. What systems are currently in place to monitor visitor arrivals at Port St Charles and other ports of entry?

4. What timeline has been set for the Ministry of Tourism to complete the task of choosing the hotel stock for the segregation of persons at different stages of the protocol process?

5. Who will ensure that guests physically stay in their rooms while in quarantine? Electronic bracelets are no substitutions to physical security presence at quarantine facilities. Why is it taking the authorities so long to ensure all guest accommodations put adequate and efficient security in place to control and mitigate against the risk of visitors breaching protocol?

6. Given that the bluetooth range is 20ft, what is the plan for activating and monitoring the bracelets?

7. If to date patient zero cannot be found is that not the definition of community spread?

The DLP is also of the view that while the government is trying to cope with this current situation at hand it should be proactively putting systems in place to mitigate against the spread of the disease in critical and vulnerable areas within the society. We spoke extensively to this in our video conference yesterday. These concerns need to be addressed.

We continue to beseech citizens to follow the Covid protocols and safeguard themselves and their families. (PR)