Protocol breaches could be ticketed

People who flout the COVID-19 directives, especially those who refuse to wear masks in public spaces, may soon be dealt with by way of a ticketing system.

This was revealed by Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill this evening. He said he would have discussions with Attorney General Dale Marshall on the possibility of moving in that direction.

“Concerns have been raised about the continued use of prosecutions and the court system to deal with what some consider to be relatively minor breaches of the COVID directives. Other jurisdictions have been using ticketing systems as a quick and effective means of punishing individuals who break the rules and we will therefore discuss with the Attorney General what ticketing system could be implemented in Barbados to deal with such things as the failure to wear masks in a public space and other similar breaches,” Gooding-Edghill said during a press conference.

With Barbados seeing an increased number of positive COVID-19 cases, the minister urged persons to continue to wear their masks and to get vaccinated and boosted.

“Vaccinations and boosting are still the most effective prevention strategies against severe illness, hospitalization and death…The issue continues to be vaccination and boosting and both remain the most effective way of managing the current COVID situation. I encourage all of you that have not yet been boosted to do so and those of you who probably haven’t completed your full dose of vaccination then you should do so. It is important that you do this because it is critical to us managing our public health institutions and also critical in cases of severe illness and certainly hospitalization and certainly to prevent death,” Gooding-Edghill noted.

“I also want to continue to encourage you to exercise the discipline that you’ve done from the inception of the COVID pandemic in Barbados. You’ve maintained that discipline and it has helped us to get to the point where we are today and once you continue to wear your masks, practice all of the hand sanitizing techniques and all of the necessary sanitization methods then it will get us through this particular COVID situation. It is nothing to be alarmed about, there is no need for excessive concern.”

Dr Adanna Grandison, Consultant Manager of Home Quarantine and member of the Isolation and Home Quarantine Committee, lamented the fact that people were still waiting too late to seek medical attention.

She said persons with pre-existing medical conditions needed to be extra cautious.

Dr Grandison also urged persons to get officially tested rather than use home tests.

“We have also been noticing a lot of persons using a home test and I know you want to know your status but it is absolutely important so that we can expedite you through the system so that you get the care that you need to, go out and get an official test. When I say official test I’m referring to a PCR test…because once you are PCR positive and you become ill we can expedite your care as quickly as possible,” Dr Grandison said. (RB)