Officials devise pandemic preparedness plan

Local officials have shifted gear in their preparation efforts, coming up with a Barbados Pandemic Preparedness Plan for COVID-19, as they seek to protect the country from the dreaded virus.

And in a rare coming together of political rivals, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Opposition political party leaders, and members of the tripartite social partnership mechanism have issued a call for all hands on deck as the country rolls out this prevention and mitigation plan.

Introducing the strategy session this afternoon, following a more than five-hour meeting at the Hilton Resort, Mottley said now was not the time for division.

She said it was highly unlikely that Barbados would not record a case of the virus, which has now reached Caribbean neighbour Jamaica, and has so far killed more than 4,000 people and infected over 118,900 globally.

Mottley called on all stakeholders to “go beyond our duty to self, go beyond our duty to family, go beyond our duty to country and to begin to help those who most need help at this time”.

Making it clear that the island was not yet ready to take any “restrictive action” since there was no recorded cases, Mottley said she was, however, “conscious if we have to move to stage one, stage, two or stage three we have agreed that we are moving as one Barbados and to that extent all of us who have consulted will continue to consult and remain together in our action to protect the majority of people as we can”.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best explained that under the plan there were four stages, which make up the framework for the national response for the COVID-19 and provide guidance to stakeholders to develop their own plans.

The Barbados Pandemic Preparedness Plan for COVID-19 is to be presented to all stakeholders by the end of this week, at which time they will be made aware of what was required of them under that plan.

“We have four stages of the plan starting at stage zero where we are right now, and each of the four stages has specific triggers, which will be the impetus for certain actions from the various stakeholders,” said Best.

“When we get our first suspected case we will stand up the national emergency operation centre and activate the isolation centres. When we have in country, human-to-human transmission that will trigger stage two and a series of actions to follow. Then we have the final stage which is stage three at which point will be declared a state of emergency and any additional supplementary facilities that need to be put into action for us to be able to control existing cases of COVIDs-19 and control the spread going forward,” Best explained.

Also insisting that “solidarity is key” in the preparedness for and fight against the virus, Best called on all residents to reduce the likelihood of it by practice proper hygiene including use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoiding persons who are sick, and engaging in frequent hand washing.

Describing the COVID-19 as a hiccup, President of the Democratic Labour Party Verla DePeiza said “coming out on the other side of this issue must be a country that remains poised to play its part on the world stage”.

“The call then is to all Barbadians to take their individual steps in terms of their own hygiene, to take steps in your communities in terms of sharing information and not misinformation. And the call then is on all Barbadians together as a nation to do what is necessary to protect ourselves,” said DePeiza.

Thanking Mottley for the opportunity to sit at the table and putting politics aside, DePeiza said “Now that political colours are out of season we will show our national colours and our national colours will come to the forefront and do all that we are called upon to do.”

Opposition Leader Reverend Joseph Atherley also expressed gratitude at being included in the national planning, agreeing that the economy could come under threat and therefore required the help of everyone.

“Whether or not we have one instance of anybody in Barbados being infected, this crisis is still a major event for us,” said Atherley, adding that with the tough economic times Barbados faces, even without this crisis it creates almost “a perfect storm” for the country.

“Barbadians have got to really respond to this with full spirit with prudence,” he said, adding “We need to put our hearts and hands together and bring our spirits to the cause and do our best in the interest of the country.”

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association Edward Clarke pledged the continued support of the business community, while reiterating that it was critical for “everybody to work together for the good of Barbados”.

“We must be selfless and not selfish at this time. There is no greed needed in Barbados at this time. It is a time when we all come together whether it is political parties or private sector and labour leaders, to work together to ensure that Barbados comes out of this strong,” said Clarke.

He said business leaders were aware of the impact it could have on the economy, but now was not the time to panic.

Advising business firms not to take overseas trips for conferences if they were not a must, Clarke said: “We must be prepared and take our own precautions.”

Mottley, who is also Minister of Finance, pointed out that the COVID-19 was already having an impact on the global supply chain, but gave the assurance that accessing medical supplies, equipment and other necessities was not an issue for Barbados at this stage.

She also noted that should the need arise, the appropriate measures would be taken as it related to schools, and that the National Insurance Scheme was in a position to meet obligations. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb