PdP wants Coronavirus measures stepped up

The Opposition People’s Party for Democracy and Development (PdP) stepped up pressure on the Government over its handling of the COVID-19 threat, declaring the Mottley administration can do more to protect Barbadians.

But while PdP spokesperson on tourism, Scott Weatherhead insisted that the Opposition was firmly behind Government’s efforts to safeguard the country, these measures needed to be ramped up further.

Weatherhead noted Barbados’ aging population, whose elderly would be at highest risk of dying from the flu-like viral infection. He suggested that as a matter of urgency, Government needed to outline a clearly defined plan for protecting the elderly.

He said: “It is exceedingly important that we also speak to our older citizens and that Government sets up policies for older citizens, not just for those at the geriatric hospitals.

“We have a lot of people that are over age 50 and are at home, perhaps those persons should consider adjusting their habits and this should be made clear in a national policy.”

In addition to the elderly, the PdP spokesman called for testing to be more widely available for Barbadians.

He said that people coming down with flu-like symptoms could not get a test, unless they had visited a region that had a high prevalence of the virus.

He also expressed his dissatisfaction with efforts thus far to protect frontline workers at the ports of entry. Port workers met yesterday to be brought up to date on the virus and what they needed to do to protect themselves from infection.

Weatherhead said: “We will support Government in any way we can in dealing with this virus, but I think that more can be done, particularly as it relates to port workers and frontline workers.

“We need information about testing availability. How many test kits are available? When will widespread testing be available and what would be criteria for testing? Do I have to be at the point where I can’t breathe to get tested?

“These are all areas that can be improved upon. We understand that it is still early, and we can’t expect Government to get things right immediately but steps must be taken in this direction.” (CM)