Worrell: Time to upgrade, reboot COVID-19 fight

Former Central Bank Governor Dr DeLisle Worrell has called for an upgrade of health management systems in place to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The economist said it should be an “urgent priority” for Government to align its protocols for all aspects of travel and all local interaction with the emerging recommendations of recognized international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the International Air Transport Association, the World Travel and Tourism Council, and other authoritative bodies.

In his latest economic letter, Dr Worrell said: “Government should become more active in the councils and decisions of these international organisations. The international organisations provide the best platform for Barbados to have a voice in the decisions that affect our tourism.”

Pointing out that in order to get through the crisis everyone must act responsibly, Worrell said: “We must also insist that those who administer our health services and public services in general, up their game to an acceptable standard of performance.”

He continued: “The Barbados Government needs to contract with reputable international companies to devise and implement suitable arrangements for the reception of visitors, testing, quarantine and tracing, social protocols and upgrades to our health system, arrangements that are adequate to minimise the risk of COVID spread.

“The events of the past few days are testament to the need for upgrades to our systems. It was inevitable that we would encounter difficulties, given the weaknesses in the design and implementation of Barbados’ health management responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The internationally respected economist noted that a full resumption of international travel was essential for rebooting the local tourism industry, adding that without its revival an increasing number of local businesses “will join those which have already gone under”.

But, pointing out that the international protocols which are needed for the resumption of cross-border travel have not yet been agreed, Worrell said his recommendations made about a year ago are still relevant despite them being made just before the pandemic brought travelling to a standstill.

He suggested that “for Government economic priorities” there needed to be state incentives for improved quality and variety in tourism; contracting of the best international expertise for a three-year makeover of the public service; a practical time-bound strategy for renewable energy; attracting businesses to do international marketing, promotions, training and similar services from subsidiaries in Barbados; leasing the port and airport to carefully chosen international leaders in transport infrastructure; initiating foreign language skills in primary schools; and permanently retiring the Barbados dollar in favour of the US dollar.

He declared: “The most urgent need is to set in place arrangements for all aspects of travel and the visitor experience, sufficient to restore tourism to pre-COVID levels, in the current circumstances.

“We do not have the liberty of waiting until there is herd immunity from COVID-19 in North America and the UK.” (MM)