Changes in Directive coming as COVID situation improves

Announcing that the COVID-19 situation is under control and getting better, with a current positivity rate of 15 per cent down from 26 per cent in previous weeks, Minister of Health and Wellness Ian Gooding-Edghill today outlined changes to the new directive that comes into effect on Monday February 28.

He shared with Barbadians that dancing will be allowed at wedding receptions, permitted in accordance with protocols, and there will be no restrictions to the number of people attending weddings subject to physical distancing.

Minister Gooding-Edghill also indicated that the provision that no person shall consume food or drink inside a bar or rum shop will be removed. He said, the work-from-home will also be removed.

“Standing passengers will be allowed as specified and according to vehicle carrying capacity. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is no longer recommending business houses, churches and retail shops to record the contact information of their patrons entering such establishments.

“However, hand sanitization and temperature checks must continue. I wish to make it clear that where churches and other places of worship are concerned that there is to be no limitation to the number of persons who can gather for worship but that the requirement for the three feet spacing, hand sanitizing, and mask wearing will remain. These same conditions will apply to funerals,” he said.

The Minister said that as he indicated two weeks ago, once the return to school is successful, he will turn his attention to sporting events. He said he met with Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith, along with representatives from several sporting disciplines to listen to feedback in preparation for the phased reintroduction of sporting events.

“The Chief Medical Officer has indicated that the approach to be adopted will be a risk-based one, taking into consideration indoor versus outdoor activities and contact versus non-contact sports. As agreed at yesterday’s meeting, the Ministry of Health and Wellness submitted the risk-based metrics to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment for their examination in consultation with their partners and stakeholders.

“We also decided that the governing body for sporting organizations who currently do not have protocols will urgently develop and submit their protocols to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment and to the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit. We are working towards the purposeful reintroduction of sports within two weeks in a risk-based manner to ensure the safety of players and spectators,” he said. (AH)