Curfew time moves from 9 p.m. to midnight as of Monday

The curfew being moved from 9 p.m. to midnight from Monday November 15, is not an excuse for Barbadians to abandon the COVID-19 protocols, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has advised.

Mottley said following consultation with various stakeholders, it has been agreed that the curfew hours will be shortened and reviewed after four weeks, during which persons will still be encouraged to be vaccinated and maintain the protocols.

Speaking at a COVID-19 update Saturday afternoon, Mottley said: “The easing of the curfew is no excuse for people to abandon the protocols and to abandon in particular mask wearing, or the other things that are necessary to keep us safe. We also recognize that parallel to what we are doing here, that as I said, we will expand and roll out the Safety Zones such that persons can feel more comfortable in doing what they have to do.

The Prime Minister said: “The concessions that we are giving with respect to curfews, is in response to the many requests across the country. And we hope that whether it is in Oistins where the cries from those vendors were greatest, or whether it was in Baxter’s Road, or whether it is in restaurants that Barbadians have been going to, or whether it is for persons for whatever reason playing individual sports may want to play a little later in the evening.”

Mottley, who is known for issuing the warning that she is not afraid to press brakes if Barbadians do not follow the COVID-19 protocols to contain the spread of the virus, said that “if things get out of hand, we know how to bring it back into hand”.

She said, given the progress being made in fighting the pandemic, it is clear that Barbadians have been managing the surge in cases as well as can be expected.

She said, Barbadians have also recognized that the pandemic is a marathon, and that while the country is at a stage where the seriousness of the pandemic is accepted, the fact remains that there are other critical issues that have to be addressed to allow people to live and support their families and to continue to keep their businesses afloat.

“Against that backdrop I encourage all Barbadians to continue to walk with us in that direction in which you have been walking. I made the point that literally, since the middle of August we have done exceptionally well in being able to increase the vaccination rates. We would like to see it go further.

“I am told by the Ministry of Health that they are still awaiting information with respect to the five to 11-year-olds and therefore when they feel that they are in a position that they have the information that they need, for the technical committees that have been established to review these things then they will let us know. In the interim, we continue to encourage you, in particular, to take those children under the age of 18 and those persons over the age of 70 to ensure that they receive the greatest protection that they can”.

The Prime Minister said in a quest to expand the mobile testing sites across the island, she has asked the Ministry of Health to explore options as it relates to reaching into the “nooks and crannies” of the nation to give persons the sense of comfort that they can have access to additional testing facilities. (AH)