Mottley announces relaxation of some pandemic rules

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced the country’s national COVID-19 pause will end this Sunday (February 28).

Barbados has been on a national pause to fight the spread of COVID-19 since February 3.

In an hour-long broadcast to the nation Thursday evening (February 25), Mottley disclosed that there would be a gradual reopening of businesses and offering of services in Barbados, starting Monday (March 1), as well as the relaxation of some pandemic restriction rules.

The prime minister also updated the nation on the COVID-19 vaccine process, through which more than 25,000 locals have already received the first shot of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Mottley outlined some of the discussion held at the recently concluded inter-sessional meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government.

Regarding the way forward, Mottley advised the nation that Attorney General Dale Marshall is slated to provide the specific details tomorrow. In seeking to justify the lock down, the prime minister declared that this was the approach that had been recommended by science with the gradual reopening of business.

Said Mottley: “That is the approach that we have been advised to take and it is the one that we shall take.”

Among the restriction rules that are being relaxed are:

• Beach access from 6 to 9 a.m., and now from 3 to 6 p.m. each day, but no use of pleasure craft at this stage.
• Outdoor commercial activity will be encouraged wherever practical.
• Construction, agriculture, farming, fishing, automotive shops – will be allowed to resume their work activity.
• Also, hardware, appliance, plumbing, electronic, telephony stores, etc. can open.
• Markets will reopen and vending can resume.
• Curbside pick-ups, delivery and drive-thrus can operate for fast food restaurants.
• Government entities like the post office, law courts, registry and land registry will reopen.
• Administrative offices can reopen with minimum staff.
• Gas stations will be open on Sundays, but not the automarts.
• From Monday to Saturday, the minimarts at gas stations will be open
• There can be use of pools in hotels and public areas under the supervision of management.
• Supermarkets will open on Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but not on Sundays.
• There should be no selling of food on the shoulder of a highway.
• Those who can function effectively at home should continue to do so.
• Those who work in the public service will be guided by permanent secretaries.
• Curfew remains from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Mottley singled out some of the rules, which will remain in force. They include:

• Hairdressers, boutiques and barbers remain closed for now.
• Massage parlours, gyms – indoor/outdoor sports will remain closed.
• Partying is a bad idea; silly and selfish.
• The protocols remain for churches/funerals/weddings

The prime minister urged her people to “exercise restraint as the reopening continues so we can build forward better… we are not yet where we want to be, but we can’t keep commerce closed in this country”.

Mottley also issued a special caution to lovers of entertainment events, noting that “partying didn’t start in 2020 and, trust me, it is not going to end in 2021″.

She added: “There is going to be new and old music in 2022, 2032 and 2042… . Let us understand that there is no rush for people to be partying now. March 2021 cannot – I want to repeat myself – cannot be a time for partying, and let us take control of ourselves therefore. COVID loves parties more than you.”