I did nothing wrong, says creator of Harrison’s Point IG Page

The person behind a series of leaked photos from the country’s main isolation facility has absolved herself of wrongdoing or any guilty feelings over the controversial act that enraged many on social media.

In a 30-minute Barbados TODAY interview conducted on condition of anonymity, the American responsible for documenting patients, beds, food and staff at the Harrison’s Point centre maintained that her actions
bore no malicious intent.

“[The account] was just to share this crazy story with friends and I took it humorously. All of my posts, in the beginning, were humorous and light-hearted. They were not critical of the country and the people that I love. It was just a look at my crazy holiday and New Year’s [Eve] that I was having. It was not malicious whatsoever,” the mother of two told  Barbados TODAY.

“Fourteen days of my life [in isolation]? Of course, I’m taking pictures and videos. Was I supposed to sit back and twiddle my thumbs and make myself a tea?” the visitor asked.

The Instagram account titled ‘harrisonspointbarbados’ documented her experience that started on December 20 when the U.S native who lives in Europe arrived from the United Kingdom.

On arrival, the woman, who is in her mid-30s presented a negative COVID-19 PCR test consistent with the country’s travel protocols.

The following day, her entire party of ten that included her husband and two children was swabbed. Three days later, hers was the only positive test and she was isolated, marring an eagerly anticipated two-week trip.

It was then that she began to share the experience of herself and other “innocent holidaymakers” who found themselves stuck at the facility with “no rights or representation”. The repeat visitor says she was careful to protect the identity of those on the compound and therefore saw nothing wrong with capturing the moments.

“I spent 25 000 pounds to stay in a former prison against my will without any rights, knowledge, clarity or confirmation of when I could leave and what my rights were. I had no symptoms, I felt fully healthy the entire time, yet I was being watched and monitored 24 hours in a hospital bed. It was horrible,”
she admitted.

Her photos and videos that were sometimes accompanied by disparaging comments raised the ire of some Barbadians who denounced the activity and warned that legal action should be taken against her given the island’s COVID-19 Directive, which prohibits persons from revealing the identity of those in isolation.

However, in response to questions from citizens on Tuesday evening, the AG explained the directive was in no way intended to shield government from criticism.

“There are objective standards that we are satisfied that we have met in relation to our quarantine facilities and she may have a different view, but there is no element of our law that will allow somebody to be prosecuted purely for expressing a view that they don’t like what we offer,” he said.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley then responded to suggestions that tourists are receiving preferential treatment. She noted that of the ten people charged for breaching quarantine, six were from outside the region.

“So I think we can safely say that it was more or less even with visitors and locals and regional people not adhering to the directives,” said the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, in her critical recount of the experience, the ‘Instagrammer’ added that, based on her review of the country’s COVID-19 travel protocols, she was under the impression that isolation in her villa would
have been an option.

When this request was turned down, her vacation became all the more unpleasant. In fact, it resulted in her entire party opting to depart the country, leaving her all alone on the island.

“As good as their intentions were, that is not how I wanted to spend my two weeks of holiday time,” she said.

“I have a lot of recordings and videos that I could release, but I don’t want to. I love the country. I don’t want to insult anybody; I just want to help people that follow in my footsteps to avoid having the same experience that I did,” the tourist added.

The expected 14-day stay in St. Lucy was cut short by a few days and she was released on December 31st. She left the country shortly after and says after her eighth trip, she has no intention of returning in the near future.

(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)