The economy has to be reopened, chair of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Edward Clarke has declared.
Amid a coronavirus cluster outbreak and confirmation of the presence of the highly infectious Delta (Indian) and Gamma (Brazilian) variants on the island, Clarke said the country must manage the risk, stressing that Barbads cannot be sustained on a “partial economy”, with only a few sectors operating in a limited capacity.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Clarke said: “Our current position requires us to have all our cylinders working at full capacity. We have to be aware of the risk posed by COVID-19 and try to manage that risk.”
Expressing deep concern about the ability of Government and local businesses to continue to support the various economic and social obligations of the island, Clarke added: “This country has a number of commitments to meet including to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) Programme.
“We have to ensure that growth in the economy returns. This country has already lost almost 30 per cent of the economy and that is not going to come back overnight.
“We have to make sure that we are ready and prepared to do what is necessary. We have to get the economy stimulated and push heavily for growth or we are going to find ourselves in a deeper hole than we are in now.”
In this connection, the business leader added his voice to increasing calls for more Barbadians to get the COVID-19 vaccines which are available free of cost.
“I certainly think that every Barbadian who can take the vaccine, should take it at the earliest opportunity, but it is a personal choice,” he said.
“It is certainly one way to protect our people and we also need to ensure that proper protocols remain in place. It is absolutely necessary that we continue to institute those things we know that will protect us as well as those persons who visit the island. We certainly cannot shy away from the need to have vaccinations as part of the layer of protection available to the population.
“As quickly as Barbados can get wider use of the vaccines and be able to protect ourselves, the better it will be for everyone because we do not live in a bubble.”
Clarke’s comments came as the country’s vaccinations rate begins to taper off.
In addition, tourism officials are pleased with the announcement yesterday that Barbados has finally been placed on the United Kingdom’s green list which allows its citizens to freely visit the island and return home without having to quarantine.
The UK is Barbados’ main source market for visitors, most of whom stay for longer visits on the island and spend more money during their stays.
To date, 93,940 people have received at least their first vaccine and 68, 417 have been fully immunized.
A total of 4, 066 COVID-19 infections have been recorded in the island since the first case diagnosis on March 17, 2020, while there are 25 people in isolation.
(IMC1)
