Country reopens after near three-month shutdown

Barbados inched one step closer to a full reopening since the COVID-19 pandemic forced Government to order a national shutdown to control the spread of the novel virus.

In announcing a major lifting of restrictions starting Monday June 15, Prime Minister Mia Mottley signalled that work will resume, gyms will re-open and permission may be given for events of 250 people or less.

Additionally, she said the green light is given for public service vehicles (PSVs) to operate at full capacity; sporting activities that will be limited to a pre-determined number of spectators could resume and gyms will be allowed to re-open.

And while all restrictions on parks and beaches have also been lifted, the Prime Minister said daycare centers would have to wait an additional week before they would be allowed to reopen on June 22.

She said the previous curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday to Friday had been lifted, while a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew would now be instituted on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mottley pointed out that while the country had to be reopened at some point, it was mainly about managing risks.

She said to date she had been pleased by the behaviour and practices of Barbadians.

“I think we would all agree that things are panning themselves out…we cannot minimize errors by postponing decisions. There is no logical reason, therefore, to keep workers in Barbados from their workplace any further.

“We have established stringent protocols and for the most part these have been followed and honoured by the workforce of Barbados and I have every confidence in my people to walk the line,” the Prime Minister stated during a live televised statement.

Mottley said she understood that with all public and private sector entities given the green light to reopen there was a need to address the issue of child care.

However, she said the need for additional training and for the Ministry of Health to finalize protocols meant those businesses could not reopen just yet.

“Something like daycare centers are a special case and require special consideration as I pointed out to you two weeks ago. With all businesses reopening we recognise that there has to be adequate provision for childcare.

“And while all schools are not fully opened and all daycare centers have been closed thus far, we believe that by permitting them to reopen it will assist considerably given those who have to go back to work,” Mottley acknowledged.

“Because however, we want a sense of appropriate training and protocols to be adhered to by all and because of the risk of not so adhering that it is so great, we are asking that those daycare centers reopen from June 22 as opposed to June 15 to give officials in the Ministry of Health the appropriate time not just to share the protocols with them but to do any fine-tuning and checking and training as is required.”

In explaining that social activities with less than 250 people would be permitted, the Prime Minister said social distancing and the wearing of masks was mandatory.

She said a density protocol would also have to be adhered to at those events.

Mottley said a special unit led by Deputy Chief Environmental Officer Ronald Chapman would be created to facilitate larger events.

She outlined that restrictions were still in place preventing visits to hospitals, prisons and senior citizens’ homes.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb