Walters calls on Government to lift COVID-19 restrictions

As some Caribbean islands continue to adapt and/or lift different COVID-19 restrictions and requirements, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) spokesperson on Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Ryan Walters is urging Prime Minister Mia Mottley to follow suit in the interest of the economy.

In a video message Saturday evening, Walters said it was his personal opinion that the Mottley Administration needs to ease up off the people, allow vaccinations to continue at the steady rate, work overtime to reach those vulnerable persons and start to reopen the economy and forgo the idea of “safe zones”.

According to Walters, as the Government follows the global COVID response playbook, which dictates vaccinations take centre stage, it seems like no matter what Barbadians do, nothing is good enough. He believes the fact that 63 per cent of the eligible population has had a first dose of the vaccine is an indication of their commitment to be fully vaccinated.

“The livelihoods of our people are threatened, rents are overdue, foreclosures increasing, people are being put on the street or forced back to an over occupied family house,” Walters said.

“Vehicles are being repossessed. Utilities are disconnecting, there is little or no food to put on the table. Yet all we are hearing is vaccinate or curfew. It is not fair and you can do better. I am urging you to stop this bullyism and recognise that the people have played their part and will continue to do so. No one wants to die, no one wishes death on his neighbour. It is time to recognise the contribution that the public has played since March last year. Things like ensuring hotels earned revenue by taking staycations, patronising traditional tourism restaurants spots and visiting tourist attractions just to name a few. It is time to ease up off the people.”

The DLP spokesman expressed his condolences to the families of those whose deaths have been linked to COVID-19. To the hundreds who are currently battling the virus he wished them a speedy recovery.

On Saturday 346 new Covid cases were recorded, added to the 2,728 in home isolation and 601 at government isolation facilities. (KC)