In the wake of calls from the Opposition Democratic Labour Party to lock down the country given the rampant spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has assured Barbadians that the Government will not be pressured into implementing a lockdown.

Mottley’s comments follow recommendations from the Opposition that tougher COVID-19 containment measures be introduced to stem the coronavirus tide.

Noting that a countrywide lockdown could trigger a withdrawal of international flights for possibly the rest of the year, resulting in irreversible social and economic implications, Mottley urged the party to “join in the struggle” to get more Barbadians vaccinated instead of proposing measures that are likely to propel citizens into further hardship.

She stated: “Locking the country down is and will not be the first, second or third option of this Barbados Labour Party government. I want to make that very clear.”

She added: “We do not take the matter of shutting this country down lightly. This is not the knee-jerk manner in which we govern.”

Reiterating that she and her government would do whatever is required to control the spread, the prime minister stated: “If my ministers and I have to take to the streets of Barbados and go door to door to get Barbadians fully sensitised of the need to protect themselves against the spread of COVID, particularly with the prevalence of the Delta variant, then that is what we shall do.”

Arguing that there was no time for the “politicking” which she said the DLP appeared to be in the business of, Mottley said: “There will be time for partisan politics but, right now, what we need is national leadership. We need social partners such as political parties to do and say what is right, what makes sense and what is in the national interest.”

Given the country’s current social and economic climate, Mottley emphasised: “Shutting this country down right now, for a day, a week or longer, is not an option that we are willing to consider right now.”

She continued: “It is a luxury Barbados simply cannot afford at this moment.”

According to a Reuters coronavirus tracker, the country has recorded 5,573 infections and 51 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began.