Protocol relief

The business community and tourism sector have welcomed changes to COVID-19 protocols, with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) particularly excited about the ease in the mask mandate and removal of travel protocols which it says will make the island more appealing to visitors.

BHTA chairman Renee Coppin said the decision announced by Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw was a clear signal that Barbados is ready to welcome visitors with all the warmth and hospitality for which it is known.

“We certainly look forward to sharing our smiles with our guests once again,” Coppin said on Friday when the change in COVID-19 directives took effect.

A week prior, she had complained about the protocols, saying they were making Barbados uncompetitive as several other destinations had eased or removed their own restrictions.

“We would primarily ask that the mask mandate be removed and that masks only be mandatory in high-risk settings. We would also like that the distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers come to an end. In the face of a barrage of external threats, please give us the best chance to have our best winter,” Coppin pleaded at the BHTA’s 70th anniversary reception last Friday.

On Thursday, Bradshaw announced that on the advice of health authorities, the Cabinet had decided that mask wearing would be optional from now on, except in schools, healthcare facilities, penal institutions, and on public transportation.

Noting that the lifting of the restrictions would make Barbados more competitive, Coppin said she was confident that, as it had done throughout its management of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health’s advice had been based on careful assessment.

She said BHTA stakeholders would do their part to ensure safety in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“We will continue to provide careful attention to health and safety as we always have in this industry. We will also maintain the strict cleanliness and sanitation standards and all else required to provide a safe environment for our teams and guests,” Coppin said.

Head of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Trisha Tannis said the business community was also pleased about the ease in protocols but was moving forward cautiously.

She said businesses would continue to provide safe work environments for employees to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks.

“I think what is critical, though, is that the sanitisation will definitely have to continue – maybe increased, to be honest. But I think you will see what looks more like normal as you go throughout the length and breadth of Barbados,” Tannis said.

Meanwhile, President of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) Dr Lynda Williams has advised Barbadians that in the absence of restrictions, they should continue to exercise caution.

She said this was especially important because elderly and vulnerable people were still being significantly affected by COVID-19, in some cases dying.

The BAMP president further noted that there had been a slowdown in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, and the number of people presenting for voluntary testing had also been falling, as many people were doing at-home tests.

Commenting on the removal of travel protocols, Dr Williams said: “Most people travelling to our shores from our source countries have also been vaccinated and boosted. And, therefore, the risks for travel are being reduced, though these have not been eliminated.”

On the optional nature of mask wearing now, she added: “BAMP agrees, therefore, with the cautious approach being taken, preserving mask mandates for those institutions where fast spread of a highly infectious virus is still possible, and in places where care is given to the elderly and vulnerable and on public transport and in education settings.”

Dr Williams said that while some would prefer to see restrictions removed altogether, the pandemic is still ongoing and there is the potential for the emergence of new variants in the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

“While mandates are removed, good common sense must prevail. If you are infected, please stay at home, wear your masks and follow home isolation protocols. Most businesses, places of worship and gathering still continue to offer hand sanitisation, they still have markings for social distancing and encourage mask wearing, particularly indoors and in air conditioned environments. This should not stop,” Dr Williams advised.

“We encourage Barbadians to get vaccinated as the ultimate layer that would assist us in reducing severe COVID-19 disease. We are still talking about 57 per cent uptake of two vaccines when really we should be talking about and reporting the uptake of boosters, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable.”

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb