‘From pause to stop’ as lockdown deepens

Dissatisfied with an apparent penchant among Barbadians for leaving home, Government has made it an offence to be on the road unless in special circumstances until the end of the month.

Attorney General Dale Marshall on Thursday explained that the latest directive, which took effect from midnight last night, was aimed at reducing the high volume of traffic witnessed in the past few days.

And Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith has made clear that anyone caught unlawfully on the roads will be prosecuted.

Marshall said the current restrictions, contained in Directive #4, would end on February 28.

He said people were only allowed to leave home if they are part of an essential service, in possession of an emergency pass or special pass, are in one of Government’s programmes, or are on the road in the case of an emergency.

Minister of Health Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Bostic on Wednesday hinted that increased restrictions would be enforced from this weekend, including the island being placed on an all-day curfew from 7 p.m. Friday night until 6 a.m. Monday morning.

But while the Attorney General pointed out that beaches and parks would now be closed on weekends and businesses normally allowed to open on weekends such as bakeries would now be closed to the public, he said restrictions on movement had kicked in from last night.

Marshall said: “You will all know that there is a curfew in Barbados from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. but of course, I think any Barbadian will recognize that there has been a large number of vehicles on the road during the daylight hours, a lot of people moving about during the daylight hours and we get the sense that Barbadians are not quite understanding what is expected of them. In fact, they are operating under the assumption that the only time they have to stay in their homes is from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. and that during the daylight hours they can do as they please and go hither, thither and yon.

“We think it is a commonsense thing but for those Barbadians who seem to  feel that they have carte blanche during the day, we have stipulated in this directive now that during the daylight hours unless you have legitimate business with any of the exempted businesses or any of the essential services, then you are expected to stay within the curtilage of your home.”

The Attorney General said the only passes the police will accept are the emergency passes issued by Government, staff ID cards for employees of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and special farmers’ IDs.

He reiterated that all other persons would require an emergency pass and urged them to apply for one.

The island’s top cop said the situation was serious and merited a tough response from police officers.

“We don’t take pride in arresting people or putting people before the court, however, I think that the situation is such now that we have to pull out all stops and going forward we are going to be closely scrutinizing all persons and ensuring that they have good reason to be out there, so I am asking the members of the public to adhere strictly to the protocols,” Griffith said.
(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)